Swollen eyes in Swedish flower hen

[karenls50]

Hope someone can help. Our new Swedish flower hen has weird swelling around both eyes.
The ring around her pupil is protruded and pulls away.
It’s not red or pussy. She has no cough sneeze or discharge. She eats and poops fine.
Weve rinsed with saline and applied a dollup of terramyacin ointment.
Does this seem normal? Any other suggestions?

 

[Eggcessive]

You may want to get her tested for mycoplasma conjuntivitis, and MG infection that causes eye and sinus infection. It may cause a “sunken eye” and chickens may respond to Tylan50 injectable (tylosin) given orally—0.2 ml given 3 times a day for 3-5 days. MG is a chronic respiratory disease carried by other chickens that have been exposed, and can in some cases be spread through hatching eggs. Other bacteria and pecking can also cause swelling of an eye.

 

[karenls50]

You may want to get her tested for mycoplasma conjuntivitis, and MG infection that causes eye and sinus infection. It may cause a “sunken eye” and chickens may respond to Tylan50 injectable (tylosin) given orally—0.2 ml given 3 times a day for 3-5 days. MG is a chronic respiratory disease carried by other chickens that have been exposed, and can in some cases be spread through hatching eggs. Other bacteria and pecking can also cause swelling of an eye.

Thanks. We don’t have a chicken vet close. We tried the terramycin first. If that doesn’t work we were going to try the Tylan. We just hate to start a five week old chicken on antibiotics if we don’t have to. We got her from a breeder two weeks ago. We noticed the bulgy eye right away but thought that just might be her genetics. The breeder said they’ve never had anything that looked like that in her flock.
She hasn’t been with any of our chickens and she’s been isolated from the other chicks we bought from that breeder.
Is mg deadly? Contagious? I’ll look it up Now I’m really bummed. She’s a sweet little chick. I appreciate your quick response.

 

[karenls50]

The reason for our concern is it seems to be getting worse.
She can close it easily. There’s no puss or drainage. This is the day we brought her home.

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you ever seen any respiratory symptoms in your other chickens? Diseases can be spread by hands, clothes, hair, shoes, and equipment. What state are you in? You can contact your state poultry lab to ask about testing. Would the breeder consider replacing her? I would get the Tylan50, some syringes and needles, and start the medicine since she appears sick. Remove the needle from the syringe to give the Tylan orally.

Here is a link that has a list of state poultry vets for testing and necropsy:
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are some articles about MG:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/disea...tion-mg-chronic-respiratory-disease-chickens/

http://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_docs/programs/poultry/FS-1008 Recognizing and Preventing Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdf

 

[karenls50]

Have you ever seen any respiratory symptoms in your other chickens? Diseases can be spread by hands, clothes, hair, shoes, and equipment. What state are you in? You can contact your state poultry lab to ask about testing. Would the breeder consider replacing her? I would get the Tylan50, some syringes and needles, and start the medicine since she appears sick. Remove the needle from the syringe to give the Tylan orally.

Here is a link that has a list of state poultry vets for testing and necropsy:
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

Never had respiratory symptoms. She hasn’t been near any of our chickens. In isolation like amy new chicken we bring it.
Yes. She would replace her. But she’s a pretty sfh with a gentle personality. Maybe that’s because she’s sick. Lol
Do you not think we can heal her? I just don’t want her to infect any of my other chickens.
We live in Ohio.
Do I put the Tylan directly in her mouth? Not in water?
Thanks for your help.

 

[karenls50]

Also is the mycoplasma bacteria transferable to humans if we handle her? We always wash but you never know.

 

[Eggcessive]

No mycoplasma gallisepticum or synovitis which are the ones that affect chickens and other birds, are not a problem that humans need to worry about. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is another type of mycoplasma that affects humans.

Unfortunately MG in birds makes them carriers for life. That is why I would recommend that you try to get her tested. What state are you in? Call your state vet, local extesion agent, and check with your local vet. If it is not MG, then it may be safe to keep her. Viruses such as infectious bronchitis can be common in chickens, more common that MG. It runs it’s course over several week.

 

[karenls50]

We live in Ohio. Checking with my friend for a vet to test her.
After one dose of tylan50 and three doses of terramyacin she looks s little better.
Thanks for all your help.
Karen