Duckling Swollen/Pink Eye?

[ecse129]

I posted this in diseases but then realized I may get a better response here.
This weekend I noticed two of our ducklings (just over a week old) seems to have pink eye? Every once in a while her/his eye will be shut and I wipe it with warm water and it opens fine but is red around the rims.
<img>https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/84556_img_0563.jpg</img>
This is after I wiped it down so it could open it. The other one is a little more gunky but otherwise looks exactly the same. Any ideas? Could it just be injury from pecking? I have tried eye drops to rinse it out, but I am at school and don't have anything ointment or anything.

 

[DurhamDuck]

I've never heard of that, but have you given them a warm bath yet?? Perhaps a good washing would help??

 

[Amiga]

Do they have water deep enough water to wash their faces in all the time? If they don't they are at risk of eye and sinus infections, which can turn serious. Sometimes an antibiotic eyedrop is needed.

 

[ecse129]

Yep they have water deep enough to wash their face (and spill all over their brooder haha) and I even have separated these two a couple of times today for "baths" in warm water where they can clean their faces even more. I keep trying to wipe their eye when I notice it closed and when I wipe it they are able to open it but it still looks swollen and about an hour later it is closed again. I am heading to the feed store tonight after school, what ointment should I look for?

 

[DurhamDuck]

I don't know, maybe you could call a local vet or bird rescue and ask them?

Good luck!

 

[ecse129]

Here is a pic of the second one:

ETA: This was after I just wiped his eye down again so that is why he is wet.

 

[bt03]

Have you tried regular saline solution? Don't use any of the ones that are for storing contacts over night or have to have a special case, just the regular rinse your contact or safe to squirt into your own eye saline. I'm not to sure how well it would work but I know that any time any of my animals has any kind of eye problem I flush it with plain saline 1-2 times a day depending on how bad it looks and it usually clears up right away. I think our longest case was a week but when we got to the vet they told us to keep up what we were doing and it worked out fine. They hate it and they will fight so be sure you have a helper to hold them securely if you try it.

 

[ecse129]

One is already doing better today, but the second one is still recuperating. Trying saline solution and antibiotic ointment today. I will keep you updated!

 

[ChipandSalsa]

Found two orphaned ducklings. Have been caring for them for two weeks now. Both were doing fine but for the last few days one has matted wet fur on top of his head and one eye gets swollen. Think it might be a sinus infection from what I have read, but haven't seen anything about the hair loss/ constant wetness on top of the head. Very concerned, Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Amiga]

Sounds like it may be an infection. Did you try antibiotics?