One of my chick's eye is badly swollen

[lady1993]

Just this week I noticed one eye was a bit swollen so I looked it up and it may be coryza. There's no mucous though, just teary eye and swelling. I was able to take out the dry pus and I applied some betadine. I thought it would be okay so I just waited for the swelling to go down before I put it back with the others, but I just noticed this morning that the eye is almost shut. Should I try and squeeze out any pus again?

 

[azygous]

Does the chick have a fowl odor around the face? This could be either a simple eye infection from being pecked or it may be infectious coryza, a serious respiratory illness.

First try flushing with saline eye wash and using an antibiotic eye ointment such as terramycin in the eye twice a day. You can find it at most feed stores. I think I can make out a possible pecking injury beside the affected eye.

Isolate the chick for now since coryza, if this is what it is, is contagious. If the chick's eye does not heal with the terramycin, then coryza should be suspected and you will need to treat with an oral antibiotic.

 

[Kiki]

Did you just get this chick?
Did you bring any birds home recently?

Take the pus out again.

 

[Eggcessive]

Betadine is not for use in the eye. Plain Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic Ointment is much better, but if you can get Terramycin eye ointment from your feed store, that would be best. Vetericyn eye gel is also good to use in eyes.