Brand new duckling with eye issue :(

[Mama Mills]

Hello everyone, we received the SWEETEST two Saxony ducklings on Friday, Willow and Gemma. When they arrived I noticed that one of Willow’s eyes was only about half open. Over the past few days the eye has become watery and a little goopy. I have cleaned it with a wet paper towel and offered her warm water to swim in however it doesn’t seem to be improving, if anything it’s getting worse. She’s very spry and is more active and bigger than Gemma. I called Metzer today and they didn’t have a lot to offer other than an avian vet that is hours away from us. I’m considering calling our local small animal vet. I plan to keep the eye as clean as possible and also offer her water to swim in however my instincts are telling me there’s an infection and she may need more care. Can anyone offer us any advice? We already love her to pieces. Thanks in advance.

 

[Mama Mills]

A few more pics of the babies…

 

[ruthhope]

This will clear up with saline washes

Make up some saline solution by dissolving 1 tablespoon table salt in 1 cup of boiled water. The salt dissolves best while the water is still hot but you must allow it to cool right down to room temperature before using.

Use either cotton swabs [cotton wool balls] or small pieces of clean old cloth [an old tee-shirt for example cut into 2x2inch squares. Don't use paper towel as it could disintegrate.

use one swab or piece of cloth dipped into the salt water and wiped across the eye. Then discard it: do not put back into the saline solution and do not wipe the eye again with it. Repeat with more swabs/pieces of cloth until the eye and surrounding feathers are clean. do this twice a day and it should rapidly clear up

If it is not cleared up after 3 days, or if it gets worse while you are doing the eye cleaning, get some tetracycline or terramycin eye ointment from the pharmacy or pharmacy shelves at your supermarket. smear a very small amount across the eye after each wash. I don't think you will need this antibiotic ointment but telling you "just in case"

You have 2 cute little fluffies!

 

[Mama Mills]

This will clear up with saline washes

Make up some saline solution by dissolving 1 tablespoon table salt in 1 cup of boiled water. The salt dissolves best while the water is still hot but you must allow it to cool right down to room temperature before using.

Use either cotton swabs [cotton wool balls] or small pieces of clean old cloth [an old tee-shirt for example cut into 2x2inch squares. Don't use paper towel as it could disintegrate.

use one swab or piece of cloth dipped into the salt water and wiped across the eye. Then discard it: do not put back into the saline solution and do not wipe the eye again with it. Repeat with more swabs/pieces of cloth until the eye and surrounding feathers are clean. do this twice a day and it should rapidly clear up

If it is not cleared up after 3 days, or if it gets worse while you are doing the eye cleaning, get some tetracycline or terramycin eye ointment from the pharmacy or pharmacy shelves at your supermarket. smear a very small amount across the eye after each wash. I don't think you will need this antibiotic ointment but telling you "just in case"

You have 2 cute little fluffies!

Thank you so much for your response @ruthhope!! I will start this today. We use sea salt, will that work the same as table salt if not I’ll put up table salt. God bless you and thanks again

 

[ruthhope]

Thank you so much for your response @ruthhope!! I will start this today. We use sea salt, will that work the same as table salt if not I’ll put up table salt. God bless you and thanks again

sea salt will work but will be more difficult to dissolve. You can boil it in the water -- just remember to let it cool right down