It does seem that an eye inflammation or irritation is enough to make a chicken less active, even less interested in food. In the absence of other signs, a swollen eye alone usually is an uncomplicated infection or irritation. So the usual supportive care and general antibiotic should be sufficient. It is also a good sign that her eye is open today. (Any swelling or discharge at all?) But such symptoms can also mean other things, and if Mohawk develops more symptoms, vet care will be optimal, but it still helps to know what to do.
I put together a list of usual causes of swollen eye/conjunctivitis, symptoms, treatments.
Here it is:
There are 3 sets of reasons for Swollen Eye or conjunctivitis in the chicken.
And this is how you can attempt to tell them apart.
1. An outside cause such as dust, debris, or an eye peck can then lead to an infection.
Usually the signs will be localized at the eye, but if any virus spreads it can lead to symptoms elsewhere. Inflammation of the eye can be all the bird needs to feel like staying still and not moving much. So listlessness or wanting to perch or brood can be triggered as simply as by local irritation. But it can also be a sign of systemic infection--and so we monitor for other signs.
2. Disease in or around the eye socket. Most often associated with sinusitis, there will be typically signs of sinus involvement.
3. Infection by virus, bacteria, parasite. This is the scariest, but appropriate treatment can help very much. So here are typical diseases/infections that can also affect eye secondarily.
These are:
Infectious coryza. Signs:
Swelling around the face
Foul-smelling, thick and sticky discharge from the nostrils and eyes
Labored breathing
Rales (rattles heard via stethoscope).
In addition, the eyelids of an infected bird can become irritated and might stick together. Diarrhea may occur.
Treatment: antibiotic/tetracycline. Erythromycin and oxytetracycline
Infectious Laryngotracheitis. Signs:
Major respiratory distress, blood-mixed mucus released by head shaking, sneezing, and conjunctivitis; catarrh, sinusitis.
Treatment: colloidal silver, isolation; warm cloth to remove crustiness of conjunctivitis.
Oxyspiruriasis. (Parasitic infection) Signs:
Scratching at eye, conjunctivitis, eyelids stuck together.
Treatment:
Ivermectin, Cresol, Lysol, Iodine, veterinary removal of worms.
Swollen head syndrome (SHS). Signs:
swelling around and behind the eye and in the sinus space, particularly around the eye, with mild conjunctivitis.
Treatment: supportive care and antibiotics for any secondary infections.
Avian chlamydiosis. Signs:
Possibly none, but can include reduced appetite, discharge from the eyes or nostrils, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, and the usually white portion of feces will be green to yellow-green. Severe infection may lead to small, dark green droppings.
Treatment: doxycycline and cease calcium supplement.
Aspergillosis (fungal infection). Signs:
Trouble breathing, lack of appetite, conjunctivitis.
Treatment:
itraconazole, topical antifungal ointment.
Avian influenza (Brunswick Disease)
Signs:
Pus, weepy discharge from nostrils, abnormal eggs; or head and neck tremors, tilted head position, inability to stand.
Treatment: Amantadine, Oseltamivir, Baicalin, resveratrol, even green tea.
Ammonia toxicity. Signs:
Crusty eyes, swollen eyelids, rubbing head against wings, cloudy cornea, sensitive to light.
Treatment:
Yucca extract and supportive care.
Mycoplasma Gallisepticum. Signs:
Respiratory distress, difficulty breathing, coughing, sneezing, swollen eyelid, discharge from eye, conjunctivitis with frothiness/bubbles. Other occasions--abnormal feathers, loss of appetite.
Treatment:
Doxycycline, lincomycin, tiamulin, tylosin. Probiotics helps guard against E. Coli. Licorice to downgrade inflammatory gene expression.
And as Eggcessive mentioned,
Terramycin eye ointment or Neosporin are still gold standard practice. Tylosin powder or Tylan is good advice.
If we can assume that Mohawk's eye has improved from vetRx, and if we are very sure, then it likely rules out Myco. which should not be altogether sensitive to it.
Still distressing that she seems to be sheltering in herself. So definitely monitor. I still get a hunch it will be uncomplicated. And great that her eye is already open again. So, (having fallen in love with your hen), please feel free to update again on her condition and let us know how she is, if you don't mind
(And I hope the wedding was great!)
I am heartbroken as we have NEVER had an issue in 2 years and yesterday it happened twice.
