Chicken eye emergency, help please!

[SulkyBantam]

Hi all,

A friend of ours has a hen whose eye has recently been affected very strangely. They said:

'Our Rhode Island has a strange looking eye. Just developed two days ago. A large eel-like swelling under her eye. I have looked it up on-line. There is a nasty disease called coryza but it does not look exactly like that. She is eating and drinking as usual. Do you have any idea?'

No pictures I'm afraid. Will post some if I receive some.

I'd really like to help them, can any of you help please?!

 

[SulkyBantam]

Please, I don't have much eye experience, I've had chickens for so long but this sounds rare, any help/suggestions would be really appreciated!

 

[LaFleche]

Without any pictures and more information all we could do would be just guessing.
Respiratory infections caused by virus or bacteria can cause swelling under or around the eyes.

 

[SulkyBantam]

I'm sorry I don't have more info or pictures, its not anyone's fault and I'd still really appreciate any suggestions.
My post seems to have got lost amongst all the others...

 

[LaFleche]

Here is what you could ask your friend to do:

Open up the beak and look inside for anything that might be stuck in the mouth cavity, for yellowish lesions (canker) or mucous in her throat and smell if there is a nasty odour or not.

And brew them some nice tea using oregano, thyme, sage and aniseed. Let it steep for at least 2 hours, add some honey and serve lukewarm. This tea has antiviral and antibacterial properties and will help with the symptoms.

 

[SulkyBantam]

Ok, what would that show/prove (just so they know what they are looking for) please?

 

[LaFleche]

A nasty smell and yellow cheesy lesions could indicate canker which needs to be treated accordingly by administering metronidazole/rodinazole precscribed by a vet.

 

[LaFleche]

A foul smell around the head could indicate coryza which should also be treated properly by drugs the vet will prescribe.

Scroll down to get to Infectious Coryza: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[SulkyBantam]

Ok thanks a lot.