Injured/Infected Eye

[Danragg]

I have taken on a flock of rescues from someone who was unable to care for them.

This poor hen has a nasty eye injury, I can’t see and intact eye ball and the previous owner seems to think it started from a slight scratch and got out of hand... it looks like a very badly damaged eye ball which has become infected. I have tried to clear as much puss as possible but it looks very uncomfortable.

The hen is still eating and drinking and seems well, but she is clearly in a lot of discomfort so hoping for some advice on the next course of action.

I am in the UK so we have very few “chicken” vets, so any home cures or over the counter antibiotics etc. are preferable!

Many thanks

 

[Aapomp831]

Do they have Terramycin in the UK? Terramycin is an ophthalmic antibiotic gel that you smear directly onto the eye. It also may be a good idea to separate her, somewhere where the others can’t peck the eye (it’s shiny and weird looking, so they’ll be curious), and to keep dirt / dust / bacteria out of it until it heals. If you don’t have Terramycin, Neosporin without painkiller will work too.

@Eggcessive
@Wyorp Rock
@dawg53
.... what do you think?

 

[Danragg]

Do they have Terramycin in the UK? Terramycin is an ophthalmic antibiotic gel that you smear directly onto the eye. It also may be a good idea to separate her, somewhere where the others can’t peck the eye (it’s shiny and weird looking, so they’ll be curious), and to keep dirt / dust / bacteria out of it until it heals. If you don’t have Terramycin, Neosporin without painkiller will work too.

@Eggcessive
@Wyorp Rock
@dawg53
.... what do you think?

Thanks for the reply! I will do just that.
Not sure how it would heal up as the eye ball is definitely still there just badly damaged.

 

[Aapomp831]

Thanks for the reply! I will do just that.
Not sure how it would heal up as the eye ball is definitely still there just badly damaged.

Poor baby. If you feel she’s in pain, you can offer a half of a baby aspirin. Should peck it right out of your hand.

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks like the eyeball may have been punctured, but you would be the best to judge if that is so. If you have a regular vet for pets, you might be able to get ciprofloxacin eye drops, erythromycin or terramycin eye ointment, or Neomycin or neosporin eye ointment. The eye can be flushed with normal saline twice a day, and followed by application of the eye drops or ointment. You can buy saline eye drops or make your own. Add 9 grams or 2 tablespoonsful of table salt to 1 liter of water. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer for 15 minutes covered. Place in clean jar when cool.

 

[Danragg]

It looks like the eyeball may have been punctured, but you would be the best to judge if that is so. If you have a regular vet for pets, you might be able to get ciprofloxacin eye drops, erythromycin or terramycin eye ointment, or Neomycin or neosporin eye ointment. The eye can be flushed with normal saline twice a day, and followed by application of the eye drops or ointment. You can buy saline eye drops or make your own. Add 9 grams or 2 tablespoonsful of table salt to 1 liter of water. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer for 15 minutes covered. Place in clean jar when cool.

Brilliant reply, I will call you my local vets and request one of the above antibiotics.

Upon further inspection I would agree that the eyeball has been punctured, would this heal over or is the eye ball likely to dry up?

Many thanks!

 

[Danragg]

It looks like the eyeball may have been punctured, but you would be the best to judge if that is so. If you have a regular vet for pets, you might be able to get ciprofloxacin eye drops, erythromycin or terramycin eye ointment, or Neomycin or neosporin eye ointment. The eye can be flushed with normal saline twice a day, and followed by application of the eye drops or ointment. You can buy saline eye drops or make your own. Add 9 grams or 2 tablespoonsful of table salt to 1 liter of water. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer for 15 minutes covered. Place in clean jar when cool.

Doesn’t look like I can get any of those over the counter here in the UK so that would be a very visit I think.

Would eye drips containing Chloramphenicol be sufficient? It’s a broad spectrum antibiotic I’ve used on rescues before with success but unsure if it’s the best option for an infection with open wound.

See more at: http://www.poultrydvm.com/drugs/chloramphenicol

 

[Danragg]

What do we think? Trying to keep it clean by rinsing with saline multiple times a day. Should I expect it to start to heal up soon?