Injured? eye

[tstoikes]

I have a silkie pullet about 4 months of age. Sunday my chickens started screaming and when I went out I saw a hawk fly off. It was a smaller bird and I didn't see if it had grabbed someone. But I couldn't find my blue pullet Smokey. I assumed I had lost her but several hours later while sitting on the back steps her running buddy Mikey came up (Think Life ceral commercial) I gave him attention and then a few minutes later looked over and saw Smokey sitting under the trailer in the dark. She wouldn't come to me so I had to basically chase her out (being very slow so as not to stress her) She didn't seem herself, very quiet and tenative, But there were no marks or blood. Monday she seemed a little more like herself but there was a greenish looking fleck on her lower eyelid. I couldn't dislodge it with a moistened Q-tip.I then tried to dribble water on it to wash it out. She still prefered the dark areas of the yard and under the trailer. Yesterday the eye was closed and swollen. I have applied warm compresses (which she hates) You can pull the eyelid done and see greenish color over the eye. This morning there appears to be some crusting on the eyelid. She is keeping the other eye closed unless she is eating or moving. She is hungry and attacks her food but doesn't seem to eat a whole lot. Mostly she sleeps (right now in my lap) Other than giving her asprin in her water does anyone have a recommondation? I really can't afford a vet even if we have one nearby which I'm not sure of.

 

[thebritt]

Terramycin eye ointment (in a tiny tube) should be available at your local feed store - about $12 - $17. Sounds like an eye infection, and this stuff works quite well. Hope it works for her. The compresses are a good idea as well. You can use camomile tea bags (after steeping) and the tea itself as a compress. Very soothing. Good luck.

 

[tstoikes]

I'll try the tea. I've been giving her Sulmet in the water which she is drinking up. She seems to be doing okay. Her attitude seems to be coming back though light still bothers her. (Having had iritis myself I can relate!)
Last night I was able to get the crust off her eyelid. This morning she can open and close the eyelid but the cornea is still green and rather nasty looking.
Her appetite is okay not as hearty as normal but I'm beginning to suspect she is holding out for treats. Her poop is fine and the other eye is clear. I have also been using Optiva (my eye doctor had me use that for dry eye) and may add Soothe drops. Neither constrict the eye and mostly lubricate the eye surface.
I hope she doesn't loose the use of the eye, but hopefully the antibiotics will help. I'll get down to the feed store or have my sister pick some up at the store where she works.

 

[tstoikes]

Smokeys eye still is swollen. I've been using the Terramycin which took most of the green nasty looking color out. She is not so uncomfortable with light now but still keeps the eye closed a lot. Other than that she seems to be doing okay. She gets around really well and Mikey is pretty protective of her. I guess I should start giving her yogurt and see if that helps since her weight seems to be down a bit.