My 3 day old, one eyed Duckling needs help (antibiotics)!

[chickengirl15]

I work at a store where we sell ducklings/chicks/bunnies in the spring time. One of the ducklings this time around has an eye swollen shut on the right, and the left eye is goopy and glazed over. My manager says that they are sprayed with formaldehyde at the hatchery? Anyways! I took her home and I have been putting a general antibiotic ointment in her eyes and doing warm compresses on the very swollen eye, but I want to help from the inside out too. I picked up Terra-vet 10 but I know that ducks are more sensitive to most medications and I don't want to make things worse before they get better! What should I give this little sweetheart to help with infected eyes?!?!

 

[klmclain1]

I know nothing about ducks... that being said, if it were a chicken with an eye infection, I would get some terramycin opthalmic ointment and put it in, on and around both eyes. I'm not sure how often though - probably at least twice a day, but you can do a search on this forum fo terramycin and eyes - you'll find some recent discussions! I'd guess warm, wet compresses before application to loosen everything up are good ideas too!

 

[CMV]

You have to be super careful when treating waterfowl with water soluble drugs. They drink much, much more than ground birds. I would not risk it, myself. There is no way of knowing how much they are actually getting inside them, and there is a very real risk of overdosing.

If you really want to save this bird I think a trip to the vet is warranted. Otherwise, I would just stick to the topical meds.

Sorry. Good luck.

 

[chickengirl15]

The topical meds seem to be doing well in her one eye. I am almost 100% positive the other eye is a lost cause. I just don't know whats underneath that swollen eyelid! What happens if the eye is ruptured in there? And I don't know of any duck vets in my area.. although a little research could solve that. The one eye she has is lazy and I think she only has maybe 1/4 vision in it as it is. She eats and drinks and plays in her water like any other little duck would, and doesn't show any serious signs of discomfort when I apply pressure with warm compresses to the swollen eye. Do you know if water soluble terramycin hydrochloride is harmful to ducks?? If I put maybe a little pinch of it in his/her water??? Thank you for the responses!

 

[fried green eggs]

I can't help you with duckling but, you could post your questions on the Other Backyard Poulty - Ducks forum thread on this site? Maybe someone will see your questions and be more helpful?