I thought it was fowl pox, now I'm not sure

[swampbrat]

I thought my 2 buff orpingtons (about 15 weeks old) had fowl pox. And maybe they do, but one has gone from bad to worse. Her eyes are huge, puffy, and sealed. They've been like this 4 days. I've been giving her water and yogurt and whatever else thru a syringe. That works great sometimes and others not so much. Now her sister, who had the same looking pox, also has a sealed eye. It's not as puffy, but it doesn't look good. Any help would be appreciated. I've been putting antibiotic ointment on the eyes as well.
The 2 pics with the gross eyes are both on 1 bird. The other is one side of the face of my healthier bird. That's what the other bird looked like less than a week ago.
I've only had chickens a few months and this is the first time I've had to deal with something like this, so any info would be awesome. I've searched thru the forums and I'm still just not sure what else to do. Thanks.






They are still chirping, and active. But I worry about their sight if they heal and I wonder if there's more I should be doing?? I've been putting antibiotic ointment on the eyes as well.

 

[Eggcessive]

It does look like pox, but they have pretty bad eye infections from the pox which can be fairly common, and can lead to blindness if not treated. Mycoplasma, E.coli, and other organisms can cause bacterial infections. The pus in those eyes really needs to be cleaned out and removed, or the antibiotic ointment won't help. Tweezers, QTips, cotton and saline would be good to use to clean them out. Vetericyn Eye Gel or Terramycin eye ointment are some things from feed stores that may help (ask the clerk sine they might be locked up.) Here is another thread with something similar, and here is a link to read:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/195/fowl-pox/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1047792/week-old-cream-legbar-chicks-eye-warts/10#post_16171896

 

[swampbrat]

Thanks so much for replying. So to clean it do I need to press on it (I'm getting squeamish just typing that) and get that yellow chunk out? I tried earlier this morning and she fought a lot. I guess I need to just suck it up and do it. It doesn't seem soft though, it's rather hard. I guess I'm afraid of injuring her by squeezing or cleaning out something that's suppose to be there...like an eyeball. lol
What's the best way to keep her still? Is there a trick?
I appreciate your help so much!

 

[swampbrat]

Oh! I got one side out with tweezers. I don't see an eyeball out here or in her head, but its all so stretched out I'm assuming it's in there.

The other side will be a little more challenging because there's not much yellow sticking out. I hope I'm doing this right...

 

[Eggcessive]

Oh, you are doing great. This has to be one of the worst things to have to do to a chicken, and I'm glad that I haven't had to yet. I watched a vet on TV, The Aloha Vet, do the pus glob extraction on a chicken once. Hopefully the other side will go smoothly, and that the eyes are still intact. I have read on here where others have reported that eyes have sometimes been destroyed by infection, but you are doing the best thing to help prevent that. Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

[LeafBlade12345]

Nice job removing that pus! That's always the first step. Make sure to keep the eyes clean and empty! I hope the actual eye is in there somewhere....it may very well be.

 

[swampbrat]

I got the 2nd eye cleaned out too. That one was a lot bigger and more work. It was actually really disgusting...
I rinsed out both eyes with saline and put antibiotic ointment in each. I'm hoping in the next few days I will see an eyeball or 2... I'll keep y'all updated. Thank you!

 

[Eggcessive]

I'll bet she is feeling so much better with that stuff out of her eyes. Good job!

 

[Teila]

Hey swampbrat .. Welcome to BYC!

You are in great hands with Eggcessive guiding you and I am going to be no help whatsoever.

However, I just wanted to give you a huge pat on the back for doing so well

I am also subscribing because I would like to know the outcome and I am sending all the positive vibes I can that it is a good one

 

[swampbrat]

I was able to clean out my 2nd chicken's eye. Only one is infected, but I put antibiotic ointment in both. I hope that's ok... It was actually really hard to get out because it wasn't really protruding as much. But anyway, I got it out and cleaned it and put ointment in it. About an hour later I can see her eyeball and she seems pretty happy and seems to be able to see fine.
The chicken with the double eye infection looks a lot better, but her eyes are still closed. I tried to rinse them and put meds in them this morning, but she was really fighting me. I'm about to try again. I'm hoping at least one eye is ok.

My husband laughs at me for taking pics, but I love when people include pics with their posts. Hopefully my gross pics will help someone else.