Eye Infection?

[Azeria]

I just came home from a 1 1/2 week vacation and found that one of my hens has swollen eye and there are also bubbles coming out. I isolated her and checked my other chickens, and it looks that one of my others seems to be getting it. Any ideas of what I can do?
Thanks in advance

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Have you added new birds to your flock in the last 30 days?

Bubbles in the eye and swelling are often a good indication of respiratory disease like Mycoplasma. Flush the eye with saline and apply an eye ointment like Terramycin. If her symptoms worsen, the eye doesn't clear up, then you can try treating with an antibiotic like Tylan50. Dosage is 0.25ml per pound of weight given orally 3 times a day for 5 days.

Only treat birds that are symptomatic. Birds that recover and those that have been exposed would be considered carriers of the disease for life. It's always a good idea to have some testing to find out exactly what you are dealing with.

 

[Azeria]

I have not added any new chickens to her flock.
I will go later today to get some saline and Terramycin from my tractor supply store

 

[Azeria]

I got the Terramycin, but the Pharmacy in my town did not have the proper Saline can I still put on the Terramycin with out washing out the eye with Sailne?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I got the Terramycin, but the Pharmacy in my town did not have the proper Saline can I still put on the Terramycin with out washing out the eye with Sailne?

You can, but you may have better results by flushing the eye first. You can make your own saline at home. The recipe for sterile saline is 1 teaspoon of salt to 1 quart of water boiled for 15 minutes. Let cool. Personally I would make fresh every time, but you can store excess in a sterilized jar for up to 24 hours then throw it out.

 

[Azeria]

Ok I will do that right now.