Reoccuring Eye Infection and Antibiotic Use

[Holly67]

Hello All~

This is my first post to Backyard Chickens. Oh dear...my salmon Faverolle looks to be getting an eye infection for what will be the third time. She went to a very good avian vet and was diagnosed with it in March 2016 and again in May 2016. She was prescribed Clavamox and each time it cleared up nicely. So sad to see the same symptoms again (red and swollen eye area, especially above her eyes). I've made a vet appt for a week from now and am afraid she'll have to go on antibiotics AGAIN. When does this become dangerous for the bird? Overuse of antibiotics is not good for humans or animals.

My 4 other hens, of different breeds, aren't having this trouble--- it's seems poor No. 5 (yes, that's her name. Long story.) is just prone to this condition. I'm not sure what else I can do for her at home--- their environment isn't dusty, the roost has proper ventilation and they have an excellent diet and plenty of fresh water. I'll of course discuss this concern with the vet next week but in the meantime, will be a worried mother hen (per usual)... thought I'd reach out here to see if anyone has input.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Are there any other symptoms? Does the swollen eye infection seem to be a sinus infection caused by a respiratory infection? Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and coryza can cause that, and may have sneezing, wheezing, watery/foamy eyes, and nasal secretions. Those 2 diseases can be chronic, and come back again, never completely cured. They can be complicated by E.coli or other bacterial secondary infections in the eye. What antibiotic was prescribed? There also may be a recurring eye infection that hasn't been completely treated. Here is some info about MG and coryza:
https://poultrykeeper.com/respiratory-problems/mycoplasma/
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/mycoplasmosis/mycoplasma-gallisepticum-infection-in-poultry
http://articles.extension.org/pages/68127/infectious-coryza-in-poultry
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/82/infectious-coryza/

 

[Holly67]

Hello Eggcesive~

Thanks for the reply and links. Yes, I seem to remember the vet called it more of a respiratory infection or sinus infection that caused the eye infection... it's all hazy now, exactly what she said--- but I know I was left with the impression that the cavities in her head (sinuses) were struggling.

22 tabs 250mg Clavamox were given both times. No. 5 did struggle with some sort of reparatory illness when she was a wee fluff ball. (Luckily, it did not spread to the others). Although I probably should have, I never had the vet diagnose it. She bounced back from the initial illness but developed more slowly than the others--- physically and mentally. She is just the sweetest girl, but is, um, a little 'different.' Whatever she had as a chick, I suppose has weakened her.

I'll check out your links now...

 

[Eggcessive]

If there is solid pus in her eyelid or sinus, it helps to remove it. Warm compresses, and cleaning the eye with saline, and removal of pus can help in recovery.