Rooster with cloudy pupils

[bambamsdad]

I have a rooster 8mos old whose eyes have very quickly( with in 5 days ) developed what looks like cataracts only on his pupils. I have searched cloudy pupils and have seen a similar picture with no follow up or report as to what this turned out to be or if chicken survived or went blind. I have searched forums ,books and sites with no definitive conclusions other than ocular mareks or eye worm this does not look like mareks to me from what I've seen from pictures but after inspection possibly eye worm but cannot see anything yet. This has happened within 1 week of being moved to a new pen ( new housing, fresh litter and clean area ) I thought this maybe an injury from fence fighting as it started with 1 eye but has rapidly moved to the other. Have seen suggested meds of ivermectin and valbezen (for eye worm) any others suggested as I can only get ivermectin paste and would have to order valbazen anything else I may be able to get local or possible home remedy have some vet rx haven't tried yet any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[bambamsdad]

Also wanted to add no others in pen or otherwise affected.

 

[dawg53]

If your roo had eyeworm, he would be incessantly scratching his eye due to irritation caused by the worm. The scratching would be a cause of blindness also. There would be swelling, possibly blood from the scratching. Almost like having an eyelash stuck in your eye...how irritating it is. Additionally, you'd be able to see the worm(s)...they are thin, whittish in color, up to about 1/4" long, favor the corner of the eye. Here's pics:


It's possible you're dealing with ocular marek's if your rooster hasnt been showing symptoms of eyeworm that I've mentioned...unless it's an injury as you suggested....but you stated it rapidly occured to the other eye as well...this is why I suspect ocular marek's. Here's a pic:

 

[bambamsdad]

Will seriously investigate eyeworm as the first pic is almost exact with the white pupil but no scratching that I have seen him do and have not been able to see any worms will check with magnifying glass if I can keep him subdued. Thanks

 

[seminolewind]

Is this the same roo with the balance issue?

 

[seminolewind]

I had to read some of your previous posts cause sometimes I get scammed.

I see you've been having some problems with symptoms that appear to be Marek's. A roo that loses his balance, a roo that can't stand, a roo that gets some neuro problem with his neck, and now this one with cloudy eyes.

If someone had all this happen and asked me, I'd say I'm pretty sure it's Marek's. When and where did you get your chickens from?

If it's Marek's, there's really nothing you can do but keep things clean. If you want more chickens, you will have to incubate them and vaccinate them on day one, or, order day old hatchery chicks that have already been vaccinated. Then keep them quarantined for 2 or more weeks. Otherwise, if you bring in chickens, they have a good chance of dying.

I'm sorry this happens to anyone, especially a new chicken owner. If you want verification, get a necropsy on the next dead bird. You can contact your state animal disease lab and get instructions.

I have a bunch of info at the bottom of my posts, if you'd like some reading on Marek's.

Keep updating.

 

[realsis]

I agree with above post. I'm sorry but with all those issues I do suspect Marek's disease. you can do some research on Marek's and see if you also agree.

 

[bambamsdad]

The roo that had the balance issue turned out to be mold of some sort he made a full recovery also he's the same one that couldn't stand. Most of my birds were vaccinated for mareks as chicks from the big 3 hatcheries and are a year old the roo with the eye issues is from some shipped eggs as i have been hatching all winter somewhere around 80 chicks have hatched and at least half are his age or a little bit younger I do have some youngsters also. He's approx. 8 mos old. He has been raised in a kennel with 12 other birds who have shown no signs except 2 of his hens who are currently having respiratory issues that are in the same pen. His brother and 2 other hens show no signs. They were just moved recently and separated by breed none of his ex- kennel mates are showing anything and they are in pens next to his this is very odd have had trouble finding anything like this anywhere and believe me I've searched ,read,guessed looked for days trying to figure this to no avail IF I figure this out I will post so others have a shot if they come across this. I did have a bird awhile ago show classic mareks paralysis he was culled and burned right away and was long gone before this bird ever hatched and never near where this bird was if it is mareks by some chance it's not playing out like the normal symptoms but I guess whats normal??

 

[theGrizzFan]

We have this same problem. My wife and I have a small flock of 5 month old Dominiques, numbering 12 hens and 2 roosters, all vaccinated for Mareks by the hatchery we bought them from. About a month ago we noticed that one of the hens never left the coop. Both of her eyes look as if she has cataracts, so we just chalked it up as having a blind chicken as she acted normal in all other ways. Today we noticed that one of our young roosters has the same in one eye. We looked for eye worms with a magnifying glass and saw none on either bird. The eyes do not appear swollen or odd in any way other than the "cataract" look at the pupil. We have not noticed any scratching or signs of obvious discomfort. We have no idea of what we should do next, if there is anything that can be done. All birds are eating and behaving fine, with the obvious exception of sight problems.

 

[seminolewind]

Hi thegrizzfan,

I'm glad they're all vaccinated. If they have Marek's, they would have been exposed to a chicken that had it. If they came vaccinated from a hatchery, and you have no other chickens, or neighbors that have chickens, it's unlikely. Has there been any contact with another chicken? If so, the vaccination will protect 90%. I've had 100% in 2 years now. But one of my vaccinated was unable to walk for 4-5 weeks, then slowly got better. I always think that she might have been worse if not for the vaccine.

If your chickens came straight from the hatchery and you've never had any others, I would look into what else could be affecting their eyes.