Chick with infected eye

[cakkleberrylane]

Pretty gruesome pictures, but I'm hoping this is not as bad as it looks.

I found this little guy, absolutley filthy outside. I brought him in and gave him a bath so I could see exactly what else might be wrong with him. He's wild, but didn't mind me picking him up and fussing with him. I put triple antibiotic ointment on anything that looked like it might need it including the eye. I found him yesterday early afternoon, he didn't eat for the rest of the afternoon, but started pecking at some chick starter. I have been dipping his beak in some water to which I have added terymycin and today he's eating and drinking (and obviously perching). I guess he has fowl pox too. Any ideas on what else I should do for him?
Thanks.

 

[SpottedCrow]

I'd ask the vet for some antibiotic cream for eyes...You can smear it around and that helps infections in their eyes.
Poor baby.

 

[cakkleberrylane]

I'll do that. Do you think he'll live?
Thanks very much.

 

[greyfields]

You can get terramycin from most feed stores. It's a topical antibiotic. However, that looks pretty bad. I'd say if it doesn't show progress within 12 hours of applying an antibiotic, you'd be kind to dispatch the poor thing.

 

[SpottedCrow]

If it is fowl pox, the bird can survive...it's like chicken pox once you get it you always have the antibodies.
Since he's a "stray", I'd keep him away from the rest of your flock. do his chores last and change your clothes afterwards.

 

[silkiechicken]

Yeah, I'd be worried about the health of the rest of your flock. Good luck! Hope it pulls though.

 

[cakkleberrylane]

His eye seems better today, there is a slit now like a normal eye. He's still eating and drinking. I used the terramycin ointment, but also put a little sprinkle of it in his water.

Thanks everyone.