Bubbles in eyes, no other symptoms?

[rsanchez6]

I have a rooster with bubbles in one of his eyes, from what I reat it sounds like MG or MS. I am devasted. I own over 100 birds. Plus I have around 4 some odd chicks. Will I have to cull every single one? Are bubbly eyes 100% MG/MS?

 

[MrsBrooke]

Isolate him immediately. Just to be safe and to observe him closely.

To answer your question, bubbles could be something like a peck wound or debris in the eye.

It also certainly could be MG. Do you see anyone else with bubbly eyes or beaks, lethargy, going off wood or water, hunching, puffing, sneezing, wheezing, or gasping?

MrsB

 

[rsanchez6]

Isolate him immediately. Just to be safe and to observe him closely.

To answer your question, bubbles could be something like a peck wound or debris in the eye.

It also certainly could be MG. Do you see anyone else with bubbly eyes or beaks, lethargy, going off wood or water, hunching, puffing, sneezing, wheezing, or gasping?

MrsB

No one else has any symptoms. He seems to be fine, but the bubbles have been there for a few days now.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Isolate him immediately. Just to be safe and to observe him closely.

To answer your question, bubbles could be something like a peck wound or debris in the eye.

It also certainly could be MG. Do you see anyone else with bubbly eyes or beaks, lethargy, going off wood or water, hunching, puffing, sneezing, wheezing, or gasping?

MrsB

X2

Separating him is a good idea.

As @MrsBrooke has suggested, it could be from a peck or debris in the eye. MG is also associated with bubbly eye as well.

Flush the eye with saline and check it over well, look for any debris in the eye. If there is anything in it, try to remove it. Monitor him for facial swelling, mucous and signs of respiratory illness.


Having a flock with MG it's not necessarily a "death sentence", but it depends on your goals.Do you sell/give away hatching eggs, chicks, started pullets, etc.?

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[rsanchez6]

X2

Separating him is a good idea.

As @MrsBrooke has suggested, it could be from a peck or debris in the eye. MG is also associated with bubbly eye as well.

Flush the eye with saline and check it over well, look for any debris in the eye. If there is anything in it, try to remove it. Monitor him for facial swelling, mucous and signs of respiratory illness.


Having a flock with MG it's not necessarily a "death sentence", but it depends on your goals.Do you sell/give away hatching eggs, chicks, started pullets, etc.?

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

Okay so I isolated him and then EVERYONE was sneezing and/or coughing. I started them on Tetracycline and then took the worst one in for a necropsy at UC Davis. It tested negative for IB, MG, and MS. They said it is most likely bacterial and the bacterial test are still pending. They all started coughing around 10/15 and have 100% stopped around 10/21-22. UC Davis said they do not give any advice, so any help as to where to go from here?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Okay so I isolated him and then EVERYONE was sneezing and/or coughing. I started them on Tetracycline and then took the worst one in for a necropsy at UC Davis. It tested negative for IB, MG, and MS. They said it is most likely bacterial and the bacterial test are still pending. They all started coughing around 10/15 and have 100% stopped around 10/21-22. UC Davis said they do not give any advice, so any help as to where to go from here?

Glad you were able to get a necropsy. Hopefully they will be able to give your more information when the bacteria testing is completed.

Tetracycline (antibiotics) can help with any secondary infections (bacterial) but won't cure viruses. Antibiotics can sometimes give a false negative when testing is done as well.

Did all the birds have bubbles in the eyes (discharge), runny nose, coughing/sneezing?

I'm not exactly sure what advice you are looking for?
What are your goals in chicken keeping?

 

[MrsBrooke]

I've read about air sac mites... Maybe look into that? :/

(Edit: Upon a quick Google, it seems these mites only bother exotic birds.)

Sorry for the mystery!

MrsB

 

[rsanchez6]

Glad you were able to get a necropsy.  Hopefully they will be able to give your more information when the bacteria testing is completed. 

Tetracycline (antibiotics) can help with any secondary infections (bacterial) but won't cure viruses.  Antibiotics can sometimes give a false negative when testing is done as well.

Did all the birds have bubbles in the eyes (discharge), runny nose, coughing/sneezing?

I'm not exactly sure what advice you are looking for?
What are your goals in chicken keeping?

I would just like to have a nice healthy backyard flock. My bacteria test came in and it says likely avibacterium spp.. When I look that up it can literally be any species of avibacterium. Wth man, I feel like UC David should make this easier.

I've read about air sac mites... Maybe look into that? :/

(Edit: Upon a quick Google, it seems these mites only bother exotic birds.)

Sorry for the mystery!

MrsB

Yes a mystery indeed, they are all fine now, but my results say avibacterium spp. Which can be anything. One of the options could be coryza, but I feel like they would have put coryza not avibacterium spp. Idk this whole thing is a pain.

 

[MrsBrooke]

I know you can treat Coryza with a medication called Sulmet in the water. It's really hard on their little chicken systems, though, so they'll need pro-biotics and all that good stuff after treatment.

Maaaaaaybe give that a shot? >_>

MrsB

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would just like to have a nice healthy backyard flock. My bacteria test came in and it says likely avibacterium spp.. When I look that up it can literally be any species of avibacterium. Wth man, I feel like UC David should make this easier.

Yes a mystery indeed, they are all fine now, but my results say avibacterium spp. Which can be anything. One of the options could be coryza, but I feel like they would have put coryza not avibacterium spp. Idk this whole thing is a pain.

I'm sorry UC Davis was not able to give you a better answer.

None show any sign of illness at all now?

Quick search, the only "bacterial disease" I found with bubbles in the eyes besides MG would be "Turkey Coryza" or Bordetellosis. BUT, "Damage to the upper respiratory tract from prior exposure to an upper respiratory disease agent or vaccine such as infectious bronchitis virus or Newcastle disease virus, or from an environmental irritant such as ammonia, is necessary to induce signs in chickens. (Reference: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/poultry/bordetellosis/overview_of_bordetellosis_in_poultry.html)

Turkey Coryza or Bordetellosis should not be confused with Infectious Coryza found in chickens. While Infectious Coryza does present with eye and nasal discharge, one of the "classic" symptoms is a foul odor about the bird as well. Since you don't mention them having an odor, then Infectious Coryza may not be what you are looking at.

I'm not sure exactly how you should proceed. If they all responded fairly well to the Tetracycline and none show any symptoms, then will want to keep an eye on them. Also keeping them separate and quarantined for several more weeks, and adding a "canary" from your existing flock. This will be your "test" bird. Put one of your "healthy" chickens in with the quarantined birds and see if it becomes ill. If the "canary" becomes ill, don't treat with any antibiotics and send it for necropsy to see if you can get better answers.

Just my thoughts.


Turkey Coryza (Bordetellosis)
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/157/turkey-coryza/

Infectious Coryza
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/82/infectious-coryza/

Diseases of Chickens:
http://www.clemson.edu/public/lph/ahp/disease_links/images/poultrydiseases.pdf

Quarantine:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...often-underestimated-part-of-raising-chickens
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044