Infected or irritated eyes? Help please

[jenni2142]

I posted with a sleepy 5 wk chick problem but now I think maybe she just has irritated eyes. I would doze all day too if I couldn't open my eyes. i had her with me all day yesterday and every 30 min or so was offering her food or water. she ate and drank quite a lot and was much perkier at the end of the day, opening her eyes more. I would stop her from scratching every time I caught her. Now this morning they are puffy again, the right more than the left, I think because I wasn't there to stop her scratching at night. She does scratch the right side more. they are not runny at all, no discharge and no sneezing. I thought I would flush them with saline solution and read on another post to use neosporin to prevent infection. Can I use that on her eyes? Should I? Would like to use what I have on hand so I don't have to leave her alone for hours. I am watching closely but other than some puffiness she seems fine. It honestly looks like when my tear ducts get irritated due to me rubbing them because of allergies. Is there anything I can do to stop her from scratching at night? She is more active than before, scratching and pecking at food and calmer, less frantic about being alone. All in all she seems much better except for keeping her eyes closed. I tried to take a pic but she always seems to wait to open them until I've put down the camera. Thanks.

 

[jenni2142]

I flushed out her eyes a little which made her want to scratch them even more. Does this mean there is something in there? She does keep them more open for awhile after the flushing. she now has a little scratch on lid of right one. Can I use the neosporin on the eye to prevent infection from her scratching? I am very new to chickens and lost here as to what to do. I am so attached to this little chick, she has done wonders for my grief in losing my others in July but now I am really worried about her and just want to make her well. What are the signs that it might be an infection? Please help. Here's a pic, she was NOT happy with me, all fluffy and annoyed.

 

[sammi]

you have a pm.

 

[mrs.67]

???pm????

 

[mypicklebird]

They look infected, but I suppose she could have trapped debris in both. Viral or bacteria infections are possible.

Where did she come from, how long have you had her, how long has she looked like this, getting better or worse, just the eyes or does she have crusty nares/open mouth breathing, diarrea ect? Are there other chicks- are they ok or not?

It looks like from the photo the area around her eye(s) is swollen.

Do you have the ability to take her to a vet? Topical anesthetic and exam of the underside of the lids and conjunctiva will rule out trapped debris, they don't really get allergies, but they can get irritated by fumes from accumulated feces/urine- I see that the chick is in your house, so the later is unlikely. A vet can help you pick the right medication, or send samples to a lab to determine what it is.

if it is a bacterial conjunctival (around the eye) only infection- antibacterial ointment to the eye will help if you have the right one, but most upper respiratory infections involve more than just that area.
jess