RIR keeps scratching eye, starting to swell (photos)

[rir3]

I just brought home three Rhode Island Red mixes today, and I am brand-new to hen-raising (for eggs). They will begin laying in about 10 weeks, and I am concerned about one of them. I noticed that her eye was shut for a few seconds at the seller's home, but then it opened and it looked fine so I didn't question it. When I brought her home, I realized that she kept scratching her other eye. She seemed very irritated with it, lots of squawking with the scratching. I also noticed that her comb is not nearly as red or advanced in growth as the other two, not sure if that has anything to do with it. I just went out to the chicken tractor to look at it again, and to take some photos, and realized that it is now beginning to swell. Is this a sign of respiratory disease? Should I quarantine her? Or does she have something in her eye? Not really sure what to do, any advice is appreciated! Below are pictures of her unhealthy eye and her healthy eye. Plus, you can see what the other chickens look like as there is one in the background of the second image.

 

[Leslieb118]

You might try flushing her eye out with some eye wash. It may just be that she has something in it. If you notice anything goopy or runny, you might have another issue.

 

[ChicKat]

there is a product called VetRx that is available in the USA. You place it in the chickens beak. Instructions for use are in the paper that comes inside the VetRx box. (yellow and orange box with black printing).

This is an old book, in the upper left of the link you may need to click on PDF to see the pictures a few pages in.

http://ia700304.us.archive.org/10/items/mansonseyewormof00rommiala/mansonseyewormof00rommiala.pdf

If you think it may be eye worm and you have more questions or want more info. You can PM me. I had a bird that had it and she is totally cured.

 

[rir3]

I gave her back to the breeder. Her eye had become completely swollen shut, still no discharge or bubbles, and I heard her sneeze a few times, plus gurgle once or twice. Only for one day though, then she was back to chirping normally. I may have had to do with some dust that blew into her quarantine crate, but I couldn't be sure. Now, the other two birds have the beginning of the swollen eye thing. I plan to go to the feed supply store and get VetRX, Terramycin ointment, and Tylan just in case. Anyone have recommendations on which to use? It could be eye worm, so maybe I should try VetRx first...? I am totally new to this, so help would be totally appreciated!

 

[rir3]

My poor girls. They are in quarantine now too as I have two Delaware pullets about the same age that are not showing signs.

 

[Leslieb118]

If you can, look in the eyes. You can see eyeworm. I've copied a post from a thread I started about a roo I lost recently. Dawg53 gave me good information about eyeworm. I'll paste it here.


"You can see eyeworm, they are white in color, very thin and can be about 1/4" long. However, if you see them, mix equal parts of water and valbazen, then flush the eye with the solution. Then dose him orally 1/4cc valbazen undiluted. Repeat this procedure again in 7-10 days."

Otherwise, I'd probably start them on Tylan, simply because you've had issues with more than one chicken. Terramycin in the eye wouldn't hurt either.

 

[dawg53]

Eyeworm can easily spread from one bird to another just like any other worm via the soil. You'll have to treat them all.

 

[rir3]

Update:

I started treating the two pullets I still have. They seem to be fine other than the swollen eye at this point, and if I am treating them they probably won't progress to the point of the pullet I had given back to the breeder. I'm still not sure if it's eyeworm or if it's something worse. I saw nothing in their eyes and there are still no bubbles or mucus of any sort around their face. I have heard them sneeze once or twice, but nothing else and they are still scratching. They look only as bad as the photo above at this point.

Here's what I'm still on the fence about: I called the breeder today and she said the pullet I gave back is doing better, however she had been wheezing, sneezing, etc. There was one other bird she'd had with all three of them (before I purchased them) that she thought might not make it two days ago. Apparently this bird had been doing the same thing with the swelled eye, coughing, wheezing, then eventually not breathing...

I'm afraid that if this is mycoplasma or something else, the birds I am treating now will infect my healthy birds when I put them back in the coop as they would be carriers for life. I hate the thought of that, but I'm also reluctant to cull them. However, if it will prevent my other pullets from getting sick, I'm willing to cull. Thoughts?