Duckling eye infection - tetracycline okay?

[sevenbabychicks]

Yesterday, I noticed that my duckling was keeping his eye closed more often than usual. Today, it's constantly closed, and the other eye looks to be going the same way. I have some tetracycline hydrochloride powder (Duramycin-10 brand) that I got to treat an infection in some new chickens. Is that safe to use with ducks...? It says that it can be used for poultry, but since it's oral I'd be mixing it into his water and worry about him getting it in his eyes.... or maybe that'd be a good thing?
Or should I just get some antibiotic eye ointment and make sure his water dish is shallow enough so that he doesn't wash it out of his eyes right away?
Thanks!

 

[Judy]

I've never owned a duck but.... I believe I'd get the eye ointment and just hold him or cage him away from water for about 10 or 15 minutes to give it plenty of time to work.

 

[Aglaboost]

I have given my ducks treatments of tetracycline for joint and respiratory disease, I'd imagine it would be fine to give it to them for eye infections.