Eyes closed with clear drainage and not eating

[jaybyrdsfarm]

Help! I've got a call to the chicken vet but its Christmas Eve...

6 month old pullet. Seemed fine at head count last night.

This AM has clear drainage from her eyes, holding eyes clear, lethargic and not eating.

Left eye is a little swollen.

I do have new chickens but they are isolated on the other side of the farm.

From what I read maybe MG? They free range and I have tons of wild birds.

Treat like MG? Tylosin and Terramycin eye ointment?

Big thanks

 

[Eggcessive]

It does sound like MG could be the cause of the warptery eye and eyelid swelling, but testing could confirm it. Tylosin powder or Tylan injectable given orally can treat symptoms of MG. I can give dosage of needed. The Terramycin eye ointment can also be helpful. MG is transmitted from a carrier chicken to other chickens by direct contact or from hands, shoes, etc, from treating infected birds. Wild birds can also bring it in sometimes. It is a lifelong disease. Survivors, which most do survive, are carriers.

 

[jaybyrdsfarm]

It does sound like MG could be the cause of the warptery eye and eyelid swelling, but testing could confirm it. Tylosin powder or Tylan injectable given orally can treat symptoms of MG. I can give dosage of needed. The Terramycin eye ointment can also be helpful. MG is transmitted from a carrier chicken to other chickens by direct contact or from hands, shoes, etc, from treating infected birds. Wild birds can also bring it in sometimes. It is a lifelong disease. Survivors, which most do survive, are carriers.

Thank you big time!

Heard from the chicken doc and she gave me some tylosin injectable to give orally and terramycin for her eyes.

She says most likely from the wild birds

MJ is currently in isolation in my bathroom with food water love and meds on board!

 

[Eggcessive]

Tylosin 50 injectable dosage, given orally is 0.25 ml per pound (1.25 ml for a 5 pound chicken) given into the beak a few drops at a time, 3 times daily or every 8 hours for 3-5 days.

 

[Myrshine]

Just because it SOUNDS like MG, that doesn’t mean that it is. However, it’s the first thing I’d assume that it was as well. There are a lot of respiratory diseases that cause the exact or similar symptoms to MG. Yes, I’d treat it as if it were MG for now, if antibiotics don’t make the birds improve, then I suggest testing— especially if you’re having lots of death occurring.

 

[jaybyrdsfarm]

Just because it SOUNDS like MG, that doesn’t mean that it is. However, it’s the first thing I’d assume that it was as well. There are a lot of respiratory diseases that cause the exact or similar symptoms to MG. Yes, I’d treat it as if it were MG for now, if antibiotics don’t make the birds improve, then I suggest testing— especially if you’re having lots of death occurring.

I got the samples and swabs that the vet recommended to hold because the state lab is closed until the new year to confirm but he did say to treat like it is.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Heard from the chicken doc and she gave me some tylosin injectable to give orally and terramycin for her eyes.

Glad that your vet was able to help you with meds!
Hopefully she will get better soon, please keep us posted.

 

[jaybyrdsfarm]

Well she's still kicking this morning! Does NOT like her meds at all so she's still got spunk.

Any ideas on how to get her to eat? She didn't eat much at all yesterday.

 

[Eggcessive]

Drinking is most important. To coax a sick chicken to eat, I mix a small amount of chicken feed and water, and offer a few bits of scrambled egg, tuna, or canned cat food.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Well she's still kicking this morning! Does NOT like her meds at all so she's still got spunk.

Any ideas on how to get her to eat? She didn't eat much at all yesterday.

My understanding is that Tylan is bitter, so probably not LOL

For getting her to eat, try enticing her with bits of egg, a little wet feed. If you have any soft fruit/veggies - bits of grape, apple, tomato, leafy greens...
Sometimes when not well, they just go off their feed, so if you find some little tidbits of something that interests her, then I would let her have it in moderation. A few days of fruit/veggies/meat, etc. won't hurt.