Day old chicks eyes swollen shut

[amaliayosa]

One of our day old chicks has both of its eyes swollen shut, one worse then the other. I dabbed a q-tip with warm water and it managed to open one eye, but the other is pretty swollen.
Can I put antibiotic ointment on its eyes?

 

[DuckLady]

You can try using Terramycin Eye Ointment. Don't use just regular antibiotic cream, unless you know it is ok. I don't.

Can you see anything stuck in her eye? Try a warm saline flush on the eyes. Or just warm water is ok, too.

 

[Pine Grove]

Not saying it is, But this is the way Staph infection shows its self in baby chicks

 

[chicknmania]

We've had a few chicks with eye problems like that. Terramycin eye gel, and, if necessary, water soluble terramycin in the water, always seems to clear this up. You can get the eye gel at most feed stores or TSC. Wash the eye with eye wash for people you get at the drug store, twice a day, then administer the gel. Our chicks always acted like they thought this felt good, and it is an easy procedure. After the eyes open, continue with the washing and apply the gel around the outside of the eye (it will seep into the eye) for another day or two.

 

[amaliayosa]

Thanks everyone, off to get that wash and eye ointment.