One Eye Closed?

[EurekaPaprika]

Last year I had a BuffO who kept one eye shut, and after some eye drops was fine. So this year when I had another But to do the same thing, I didn't worry.

But... Now it's been about a week of One-Eyed Matilda with no improvement. It doesn't look swollen. She still blinks her under-eyelid when I prop her outer eyelid open.

She is less energetic but eats and drinks when I offer.

What's wrong and what can I do?

I took a video as well but don't know how to share it

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Was she injured at all? You can treat eye injuries with saline. Can you see anything in the eye? Is she just closing that eye or both?

 

[EurekaPaprika]

No injuries that I know of. I don't see anything in her eye, but I have been very careful when pulling it open so maybe if something is deeper I missed it. She's just closing the one.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Check for cloudiness as well. To be safe Id use saline or Vetricyn eye gel. The eye gel will work better but if you dont have that on hand use saline. I would think combined with the lethargy you described she has an infection in her eye. If this has occurred before id say you should inspect your coop for possible eye irritants. Keeping their nails clipped will cut down on eye injuries as well. Someone else might know more. Good luck

 

[EurekaPaprika]

Thanks! I'll try a different eye drop solution. The last time this happened I think it was just dust because that hen was fine in the morning after eye drops at night.

 

[rebrascora]

It may be overkill to suggest it, but Marek's disease can cause this. Typically you see paralysis of a leg or wing or wry neck or wry tail, but it can be as minor as being unable to keep one eyelid open. Keeping her in a stress free environment is important (stress triggers Mark's outbreaks and hinders recovery from an outbreak) and good nutrition. Triggers are often things like the surge of hormones at point of lay or the amorous attentions of a rampant cockerel, or a change of home etc.
There is no cure for Marek's but supporting the immune system and digestive tract is the best that you can do. A good quality poultry vitamin supplement like Nutri Drench or Poultry Cell might be helpful and look out for secondary infections like coccidiosis, respiratory illness and parasites as they can be a problem for birds with compromised immune systems (The virus that causes Marek's has an immune suppressant action).

 

[EurekaPaprika]

It may be overkill to suggest it, but Marek's disease can cause this. Typically you see paralysis of a leg or wing or wry neck or wry tail, but it can be as minor as being unable to keep one eyelid open. Keeping her in a stress free environment is important (stress triggers Mark's outbreaks and hinders recovery from an outbreak) and good nutrition. Triggers are often things like the surge of hormones at point of lay or the amorous attentions of a rampant cockerel, or a change of home etc.
There is no cure for Marek's but supporting the immune system and digestive tract is the best that you can do. A good quality poultry vitamin supplement like Nutri Drench or Poultry Cell might be helpful and look out for secondary infections like coccidiosis, respiratory illness and parasites as they can be a problem for birds with compromised immune systems (The virus that causes Marek's has an immune suppressant action).

If it's Mareks would I ever see improvement, or would the eye issue be permanent?

 

[rebrascora]

The paralysis/weakness can improve to the point of normality, it could remain the same or it can spread and deteriorate. The final stages of the disease are the development of tumours, often on internal organs, but the disease can go into dormant phases or remission for months or years before the final stage is triggered. So your previous Buff with this problem may have this disease but be in a dormant phase...... it works similar to the cold sore virus in humans if that makes it any easier to understand.... they are both Herpes viruses. You cannot tell who is infected with the virus until they have an outbreak and an outbreak is often triggered by stress. What stresses one bird may not stress another so you don't necessarily get several birds all being symptomatic at once. They are also only actively shedding the virus whilst they are symptomatic, but new birds that are infected (by inhaling infected dander dust) will have an initial dormant period of at least 3 weeks before the onset of any symptoms. Normally it affects adolescent birds in the 8-30 weeks range but mostly, in my opinion, because that is when they are exposed to the highest levels of stress.... going from the brooder to outdoors, integration into a larger flock, hormone surges and mating etc.
Anyway, that is my take on it so far from several years of dealing with it.

 

[EurekaPaprika]

The paralysis/weakness can improve to the point of normality, it could remain the same or it can spread and deteriorate. The final stages of the disease are the development of tumours, often on internal organs, but the disease can go into dormant phases or remission for months or years before the final stage is triggered. So your previous Buff with this problem may have this disease but be in a dormant phase...... it works similar to the cold sore virus in humans if that makes it any easier to understand.... they are both Herpes viruses. You cannot tell who is infected with the virus until they have an outbreak and an outbreak is often triggered by stress. What stresses one bird may not stress another so you don't necessarily get several birds all being symptomatic at once. They are also only actively shedding the virus whilst they are symptomatic, but new birds that are infected (by inhaling infected dander dust) will have an initial dormant period of at least 3 weeks before the onset of any symptoms. Normally it affects adolescent birds in the 8-30 weeks range but mostly, in my opinion, because that is when they are exposed to the highest levels of stress.... going from the brooder to outdoors, integration into a larger flock, hormone surges and mating etc.
Anyway, that is my take on it so far from several years of dealing with it.

Could Mareks symptoms have been seen as a chick? I posted a thread about this same hen back in April when she had a stage of lethargy and abnormally slow growth as a chick. She eventually got better and caught up with her mates as far as size. It was called "What's wrong with this Buff Orphington chick from IFA?" If you'd like to read the posts.

She is about the age to start laying, and we do have a rooster that has recently turned into an angsty teenager.

 

[rebrascora]

It is unlikely for that to have been Marek's at that young age. 3 weeks is usually the earliest you see symptoms. Marek's birds are often more petite from a youngish age but whetherthat is because runts are more prone to be infected with Marek's or the disease causes them to fail to grow as well as uninfected birds, I'm not sure.