Chick eye issue - treatment options?

[fatcatx]

I have a week old chick with a bad eye. Not sure if it is an injury or infection. One of the chicks was trapped at day 2 with some paper towel jabbed in its eye. I can't confirm this is the one since I didn't mark it but possibly/likely.

What are my treatment options? Is eye ointment the best thing to start with or is it more likely an infection? Some discharge but not a significant amount.

I am worried that the eye is permanently damaged. If so, what's the next step?

 

[fatcatx]

 

[Eggcessive]

You can use a warm wet compress held to the eye for a few minutes to soften the crust and then clean the eye with saline. Then I would apply an antibiotic ointment such as Terramycin, Vetropolycin, or plain Neosporin/Triple Antibiotic Ointment into the eye twice a day—just a dot.

 

[fatcatx]

Thank you! I did not know Neosporin could be used in the eye. Good to know. Is this true of any antibiotic ointment as long as it does not have a pain reliever in it that would harm the chick?

 

[Eggcessive]

Terramycin and Vetroploycin are both eye ointments. Neosporin is topical and they also make an eye ointment, but I have used it in a pinch without any problems. It is the same, but the eye ointment is considered more sterile. Vetropolycin, if you can find it, is identical to Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic Ointment. Terramycin is an antibiotic that treats mycoplasma, while the others can treat E.coli and other germs.

It is hard to know if the eye has been pecked or infected. Hopefully, it will heal.