Cataract in left eye

[AmyBella]

I am wondering if anyone has any advice to help Wheezy. He is about five weeks old now and has a cloudy cataract in his left eye. The eye has been this way since he was a baby... we are not sure if it got pecked or if it was the result of his illness. Weezy was a very sick chick, but pulled through and is normal with the exception of the eye.

Left eye-

Right eye-

 

[Imp]

AmyBella,

Here's a link to another thread about this topic. Looks like a lot of good info and links. Good luck.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=145145

Imp

 

[threehorses]

What was his sickness?

If he had an eye injury, it's possible that this is a permanent scar.

If he had just developed that, I'd say optical mareks. But you say he had it since before four weeks (the usual earliest incubation period of mareks) and so, not knowing his illness, I'd be inclined to say this is less likely.

But can you describe what happened with his illness? How it appeared, how it progressed, how it cleared, and over what exact period of time (2 days to 3 weeks for example)?

If he's healthy otherwise, I would not worry about it and hug that chicken! Birds can survive quite well with one usable eye, and his looks more than functional - just cloudy.

If the shape of the pupil changes, then I'd suspect optical Mareks. Again he can potentially live a long full life with this. I had a rooster who had it (before I knew what it was) and lived for nine years at least! I just lost him to old age this year.

I'm guessing though that Wheezy had a respiratory illness?

I dunno - just a hunch.

 

[AmyBella]

When we got Wheezy as a few-days-old chick he was sick but we didn't realize until for about a week. His down was all greasy looking (from nasal secretions) and BOTH eyes were half closed all the time. He was stumbly and un-coordinated and had this pathetic little wheeze and nasal-sounding chirp! Wheezy still has a strange hoarse voice!

We treated with VetRX, Durvet electrolytes, yogurt and probiotics. Through it all, Wheezy ate, drank, pooped and grew like a champ! After a week of treatment, all of the symptoms were better, but we noticed that he was starting to favor his right eye and walk around with the head at a funny angle.

I didn't intend to keep any roosters, but I am making a case for "the Wheeze". I really love this bird!

threehorses- sorry for your loss! It is great to hear that a "special needs" guy can live such a long, happy life!

 

[threehorses]

Oh don't be fooled - one-eyed roosters are tough little guys!

My special needs guy was as tough as leather. Of course, he wasn't an aggressive guy but I did have to watch if I walked up to him on his off side and he didn't know I was coming. He postured at me a couple of times, and then danced off embarrassedly when he realized it was JUST me.

It's very interesting to watch how they tilt their head because of the eye. That indicates that his vision may indeed be gone in that eye. But it should be of no consequence.

I think there's something to be said for keeping a special rooster around.

Just be sure to really befriend him now and don't let him dance at you. That way you're always top dog and he won't boss you around. I have a cochin (new to me) that does this. I just pick his fat self up and love on him when he does. (He hates it, looks like I've stolen his last bit of dignity - but withstands it.) I'm thinking bribes when I pick him up might change his mind about me.

Good luck with this little trooper! I guess he just really wanted to stay at your house. I can't say I blame him.