Duck Eye Problem

[TurkeyGoat]

Shortly after letting the ducks out of their pen this morning, I noticed Meghan here with her right eye shut and the surrounding area kind of swollen. Looking more closely it's unsettling, as I can't see her eye -- just white -- when the eyelid opens. It almost looks as if the eye is gone, but I can't tell.

 

[coach723]

I'm tagging someone that often helps with ducks.
Your duck may have pus in the eye, and there may be a respiratory infection (the bubbles), but I don't have ducks, so hopefully someone will be along to help you soon.
@Isaac 0 ?

 

[Isaac 0]

There appears to be a large amount of exudate coming from the eye, and significant chemosis preventing normal visualization of the eye. This could be the result of injury to the eye, due to infection, or due to a respiratory infection.

With the latter, you are likely to see other symptoms such as sneezing, facial swelling, or rattled breathing, etc; if you're not witnessing any other symptoms, it's likely one of the former conditions is the culprit.

Ducks have inefficient tear duct glands in their eye so there are increased predispositions in respect for developing eye problems. As a start for the eye, you may try flushing it with some 0.9 sodium chloride (saline), or an eyewash in an attempt to lavage out any foreign contaminants currently stuck in the eye. Afterward, a gentle wiping of the eye with a damp soft cloth may help aid in lavaging any matter.

Terramycin or any other ophthalmic ointment suitable for animal use could also be applied to address any bacterial overabundance. That sequence can be repeated twice a day if needed.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/pfizer-terramycin-opthalmic-ointment-1-8-oz

 

[TurkeyGoat]

We just noticed another hen jerking her head while swimming, and then we saw her eye as pictured. So this would seem to indicate a disease or infection.

If it is an infection, what causes this? Is it contagious?

I isolated this duck and plan on doing the same to the other if I can catch her. I also figured on cleaning out the pen in case there's some mold or something in there (it has been rainy lately).

@Isaac 0 , would you still recommend the sodium chloride and ophthalmic ointment?

 

[Isaac 0]

We just noticed another hen jerking her head while swimming, and then we saw her eye as pictured. So this would seem to indicate a disease or infection.

If it is an infection, what causes this? Is it contagious?

I isolated this duck and plan on doing the same to the other if I can catch her. I also figured on cleaning out the pen in case there's some mold or something in there (it has been rainy lately).

@Isaac 0 , would you still recommend the sodium chloride and ophthalmic ointment?

I'm under the impression the birds have access to deep water during the day, correct?
Have you noticed any over-mating from your males?
Are the ducks acting lethargic, or showing any other upper-respiratory-related symtoms?

Respiratory diseases such as Mycoplasma Galliseptcum and infectious bronchitis are fairly uncommon in ducks compared to other fowl such as chickens. Which such diseases, I would also suspect other noticeable symtoms. In my experience, if the birds are acting ok, you're more than likely dealing with an environmental problem.

I would proceed with the treatment I suggested above, and try looking over their environment for any problems that may predispose them to develop such eye problems. That may include over-mating from the males, high ammonia, lack of deep water, mold, etc.

 

[TurkeyGoat]

I'm under the impression the birds have access to deep water during the day, correct?
Have you noticed any over-mating from your males?
Are the ducks acting lethargic, or showing any other upper-respiratory-related symtoms?

Respiratory diseases such as Mycoplasma Galliseptcum and infectious bronchitis are fairly uncommon in ducks compared to other fowl such as chickens. Which such diseases, I would also suspect other noticeable symtoms. In my experience, if the birds are acting ok, you're more than likely dealing with an environmental problem.

I would proceed with the treatment I suggested above, and try looking over their environment for any problems that may predispose them to develop such eye problems. That may include over-mating from the males, high ammonia, lack of deep water, mold, etc.

Yes, they have plenty of deep water. The males have just started getting relatively aggressive again since we're coming out of winter, but I haven't noticed anything more than normal mating conditions; I bet I'd see baldness on the females' necks first if that were the case.

They seem to be acting normal, except that first duck can't see out of that one eye, so she's not reacting to things normally, sometimes being startled when I or a duck comes up to her blind side. They've both been kind of jerking their heads as well. But they're both still eating and seem to have energy.

When you say high ammonia, is it just by smell that you tell that?

 

[TurkeyGoat]

What about oral or injectable antibiotics? I still have some injectable penicillin from last summer.

 

[Isaac 0]

When you say high ammonia, is it just by smell that you tell that?

Excessive fecal accumulation around the pen. If their area smells bad, that's a good indicator it needs a cleaning.

What about oral or injectable antibiotics? I still have some injectable penicillin from last summer.

Terramycin is an antibiotic ointment containing oxytetracylycine - I would try that first, and if there is no improvement try a systemic antibotic.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

I don't really know about this topic much; I hope she is okay!

 

[TurkeyGoat]

@Isaac 0 Thanks a lot, I'll try that out.