Swollen eye, white film

[Hwy9fam]

Hi everyone,
Looking for ideas and knowledge regarding diagnosis and treatment for our hen. I discovered she had a swollen eye and was holding it closed about 4 days ago. When I pull the eyelid down, a white film covers the eye.
I have put saline and teramycin in her eye twice a day for the last 3 days, but it doesnt seem to be getting better.

I keep going back and forth thinking it is an injury, or if it is a worm.

I can't see a worm in there; which I've read that you will be able to see it if that what it is. But I find myself wondering if this white film is a worm/something I should get out of there?

She seems to be doing fine, just adjusting to getting around with vision out of one eye. All other hens doing fine as well, although they all show signs of fowl pox on their combs.I don't think this would contribute to her eye though...?

I will post a picture when I get home. Thank you for your thoughts!

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Can you post any picture of the eye, and of any of the chickens with pox? It sounds more like a white film of infection or pus that needs to come off. You can try flushing the eye with saline, and rubbing with cotton, QTips, or a tool. You will need another pair of hands to do this.

Is she having any signs of a respiratory infection? Does she have any pox scabs near her eye? Eye worms are rare, and mainly seen in tropical regions. This video shows how to clean pus out of an eye, and is pretty graphic:

 

[Hwy9fam]

Thanks for the response. Here's a couple pictures. It doesnt seem like pus... could it beba cornea injury? No signs of respiratory infection or pox around the eyes.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

@Hen Pen Jem @KikisGirls @casportpony can you guys help?

 

[Eggcessive]

It probably is a thin layer of pus. I have seen that in pictures, and it seems like a tight coating over the eye. I would try to remove it. The spots on the comb look more like pecking injuries to me, not pox. Hopefully more people who have seen that white to yellow coating over the eye will chime in.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Hwy9fam,

It seems she had a peck to the eye. If the Terramycin is not working, it's time to switch to a triple antibiotic Ophthalmic ointment with: Bacitracin, Neomycin and Polymyxin B. These same antibiotics are in Neosporin, which you can also use. Be sure to buy the formula without pain reliever, as this substance is toxic to birds.

A warm wet compress should be applied twice daily before the ointment.

If she was pecked in the eye, I would also administer a broad spectrum antibiotic for 10 days, to prevent internal infection. If she gets lethargic, low appetite, loose poops, these are symptoms of a secondary infection taking hold.

A dose of vitamins is also beneficial. Remember to administer a probiotic, after a course of antibiotics...if you decide to give her some.

I had a similar eye trauma to my rooster's eye, with the same film. It's infection of the eye tissue. It will clear once you apply the right antibiotic.

Colloidal silver drops into the eye are also very effective. A strength of 20-30 ppm will work.

These are my thoughts on your hen's issue. I hope I have been helpful.

God Bless

 

[Hwy9fam]

Thank you all so much for your help. I used Neosporin this morning and will pick up antibiotic and colloidal silver after work. I'll keep you updated.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Thank you all so much for your help. I used Neosporin this morning and will pick up antibiotic and colloidal silver after work. I'll keep you updated.

You can switch to a cool compress, to reduce swelling, or just eliminate that step. Rinse with sterile saline if needed. Gently pat dry.

Eye tissue is very delicate and slow to heal, so be consistent and patient. If there isn't slight improvement, in two days, then it may be something else, perhaps fungal. However, the colloidal silver will help even that.

I hope all goes well.

God Bless

 

[Hwy9fam]

Well, this is my third day of using Neosporin and the eye is looking more yellow and the film possibly thicker. On a positive note, she seems to be doing well, keeping up with the flock and even opening up her eye now and then.
Our feed store does not carry colloidal silver so I have not tried that yet. Do you think this needs another course of action and I should order some silver? Would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[Hwy9fam]