Swollen watery eyes

[SoFlockingHappy]

Im not sure what is going on with my hen. There's no smell and seems to be the only symptom. I haven't noticed anyone else in the flock with any symptoms. Any ideas?

 

[Eggcessive]

It could be that she is getting a respiratory disease, such as mycoplasma (MG.) But other possibilities could be a peck or sting near the eye, or something such as a seed pod getting into the eye causing an abscess.

Have you seen bubbles, foam, or pus in the eye? Can you see if the eye looks normal inside the eyelids? I would flush the eye with saline or eye wash, and put a dab of Terramycin eye ointment into the eye twice a day. Plain Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic Ointment can be used if you cannot get Terramycin. A vet could also prescribe eye drops.

There may be pus around the eye, and here is a very graphic video that shows how it can be removed:

 

[SoFlockingHappy]

It could be that she is getting a respiratory disease, such as mycoplasma (MG.) But other possibilities could be a peck or sting near the eye, or something such as a seed pod getting into the eye causing an abscess.

Have you seen bubbles, foam, or pus in the eye? Can you see if the eye looks normal inside the eyelids? I would flush the eye with saline or eye wash, and put a dab of Terramycin eye ointment into the eye twice a day. Plain Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic Ointment can be used if you cannot get Terramycin. A vet could also prescribe eye drops.

There may be pus around the eye, and here is a very graphic video that shows how it can be removed:

Yes, she did have bubbles on both eyes this morning when i found her! I brought her in and put her in the bath tub for now. I gave her garlic and vinegar water and some feed. She is eating and drinking. But the bubbles seem to be gone now. I havent opened up her eye myself to look, but i will!

Thanks for the info and video! I seen either a post of yours or your comments on someone's post when i was investigating earlier. I really, really hope its not a raspatory disease!! I would rather have a pimple in her eye! Or just a cold!!

 

[Eggcessive]

I would try to get some antibiotics either way. When the eyelids swell that way, there is usually a bacterial infection. If you have a local vet who might prescribe something, that would be good. Enrofloxacin or baytril which are banned for chickens (but sometimes still prescribed for certain infections,) would be a good treatment if there is E.coli or something from a peck wound, or if it was caused by MG. Tylosin or doxycycline could be used as well for MG. Here is where to find those:
https://allbirdproducts.com/products/baytril-10
Dosage of the 10% is 0.05 ml per pound given orally twice a day for 5 days. Do not give it in water since it tastes bad.

https://www.jedds.com/shop/tylan-soluble-100-g/
Dosage is 1 tsp per gallon of water for 3-5 days.

 

[SoFlockingHappy]

I would try to get some antibiotics either way. When the eyelids swell that way, there is usually a bacterial infection. If you have a local vet who might prescribe something, that would be good. Enrofloxacin or baytril which are banned for chickens (but sometimes still prescribed for certain infections,) would be a good treatment if there is E.coli or something from a peck wound, or if it was caused by MG. Tylosin or doxycycline could be used as well for MG. Here is where to find those:
https://allbirdproducts.com/products/baytril-10
Dosage of the 10% is 0.05 ml per pound given orally twice a day for 5 days. Do not give it in water since it tastes bad.

https://www.jedds.com/shop/tylan-soluble-100-g/
Dosage is 1 tsp per gallon of water for 3-5 days.

What does the bubbles around the eye mean?

 

[Eggcessive]

Bubbles in eyes can be a sign of mycoplasma (MG.) I am not sure if bubbles can occur with peck wounds or abscesses, but I would treat it like MG for now. Here is some reading:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/ext... Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdf

 

[Myrshine]

This is not a peck, sting or abscess to the eye, this is a common symptom of a respiratory disease. Does around her nares and eyes have a foul odor similar to the smell of a “rotting dead carcass” or “old stinky cheese”? If so, this would be Infectious Coryza. If there is no odor that you can smell, then this could be Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG, CRD). MG is a lifetime chronic disease of poultry, it is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the sinuses, eyes and the trachea. This disease is incurable, but can be treated with antibiotics. I do NOT suggest treating with antibiotics unless you get a firm diagnosis on which respiratory disease this is, you also don’t want to be spreading/making an antibiotic resistant bacteria either- so use natural remedies instead, as it is the most safest option. Birds that “recover” will remain lifetime carriers of MG, spreading it to any new birds you decide to bring in. MG is also chronic, meaning, that it will resurface within times of stress again. This bacterial disease can also be virtually spread in the eggs, to the ovo (a developing embryo of a chick), therefore making any new chicks that hatch sick, stunted, immune-comprised and carriers of this bacteria for life. I do NOT recommend that you breed from your chronically sickly infected birds, as it’s wrong and can get you a hefty fine. All birds infected with MG will always have a low egg production and a weakened immune system, making them more susceptible to other diseases. You need to keep a closed flock, which meaning, don’t bring in anymore birds into your sickly flock and do not sell/giveaway your sickly flock. In the USA, MG is a reportable disease to the USDA by law- you can see that here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/monitoring_surveillance/nlrad-system-standards.pdf

I recommend that you get your bird tested, necropsy is always the best for accurate results, but live sampling is offered:
https://www.zoologix.com/avian/index.htm & http://www.vetdna.com

I hope this help you. Feel free to ask me any questions or concerns.