thick white paste coming out of eyes

[Boyjustice]

Hello,

I have read many threads on eye issues and other conditions but not read about this paste that I'm seeing in my chickens and now one of my male Mallard ducks. The eyes seem to be crusted over. I clean the eyes daily and after several days as I clean the eyes I see that as I mess with it a thick white paste comes out. Its very un-nerving and gross. I have lost a couple dozen or so in the last 2 months. I have tried several medications but still my flock is depleting gradually. It's disheartening, My flock is a personal flock as I don't sell eggs or chicks.It's breaking my heart because most of my flock is hand raised and are like pets. Some of them sneeze. Some look sluggish. Some cant open their eyes. Some wont leave the coop and go outside with the rest of the flock. I'm starting to think my coop is cursed. Any and all advice is appreciated. If you recommend a medication can you also advise where I can possibly get it..
.IE:vet,feed store.on line, etc...

I am located south of Houston Texas if this helps any.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Justice

 

[TriciaHowe]

Sounds like Mycoplasma gallisepticum aka Chronic Resp. disease. Not a good thing to have in your flock but is actually pretty common. You can treat with 1/2 cc inj. of Tylan for 7 days (some say 5) with the knowledge that they will be life long carriers or you can cull the entire flock. There are many on here who saved their flock and made it strictly a closed flock and some who have chosen to cull their flocks, clean well and start again several month down the road.
Good luck

 

[Wisher1000]

First, welcome to BYC. I hate it is under these circumstances.

Sounds like Mycoplasma gallisepticum aka Chronic Resp. disease. Not a good thing to have in your flock but is actually pretty common. You can treat with 1/2 cc inj. of Tylan for 7 days (some say 5) with the knowledge that they will be life long carriers or you can cull the entire flock. There are many on here who saved their flock and made it strictly a closed flock and some who have chosen to cull their flocks, clean well and start again several month down the road.
Good luck

I agree with this post. You have some tough decisions to make. You could take one to a vet to confirm, but it will cost a good bit. I am sorry that you are going through this.

 

[Boyjustice]

Injection into the body or oraly? I've never given a chicken an injection. Where do you do it? I'm hoping I can save the flock but if not I'll have to start again.... But I have my fingers crossed.

Thanks
Justice

 

[Wisher1000]

Please make sure you understand what a "carrier" means. If you nurse them back to health and they stay on your land, any (all) new birds you get will get sick and have to be treated. I know you love them, and I know it feels best to try to save them, but you have to understand that it will not be over if you do. My heart breaks for you and this situation. Where did you get them? Did you add new birds just before they started getting sick? The new birds could have brought it in. If you lose them (or decide to put them down) you will need to sterilize/disinfect everything and wait a while before you try again with new birds. Do some research on the disease and the follow up procedures.

Bless you.

 

[soler]

the best thing you could is bring a "body" to a vet to necropsy - they will be able to tell you what it is exactly. I think there are several diseases that match those symptoms, cholera, newcastle, infectious laryngotracheitis. Or something else altogether (that is hopefully less serious). Given how things are going, it seems you need this information to make present and future decision.

if the cost is a problem to go to the vet try and get in touch with
http://texasagriculture.gov/
they might necropsy a body for free. If it is a disease like mycoplasma, it might need to be reported, and they will want to do the necropsy. it should not cost you anything or very much.
they would also know prevalent diseases in your area which may give you a better clue.