Turkey chick swollen eyes

[joboa22]

Hi all I have two 4 week old turkey chicks. The one developed swollen eyes about a week ago. All though it's eyes are closed shut despite bathing them . However despite this the chick is still eating and drinking well.
I called my vet who basically said cull it wouldn't even see bird. I can't just cull it as 1 chick on its own is cruel. As the vet is being unhelpful I can only ask is there any orc remedy I can use.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Could you post a picture? Is it something like fowl pox with crusty lesions? Some respiratory infections will cause the eyes to swell shut too.

 

[Eggcessive]

Are you seeing any sneezing, nasal drainage, or foam in the swollen eyes? Or any scabs on the head and face? Respiratory diseases such as mycoplasma (MG,) can affect chicks around 3-4 weeks if they have been exposed by a carrier, or through hatching eggs. Many backyard flocks are positive for MG, and wild birds can also carry it in. I would go to your feed store and buy some Tylan 50 injectable plus a couple of syringes with 20 gauge needles to get it out of the vial. Do not give it as an injection or shot, but give it orally to the sick chick. Dosage is 0.25 or 1/4 ml twice a day for 5 days. Getting fluids into the chick is very important. Hold a small cup up to the beak and dip it's beak for a second, and let it swallow over and over. Wet chick feed with a lot of water is good to try, and bits of chopped egg.

 

[joboa22]

No sneezing but eyes are stuck despite bathing. It's still eating and drinking. Dylan is not sold over the counter her I am afraid

 

[Eggcessive]

Joboa22, where are you located? Tylan 50 brand is sold in the US, and is over the counter. It may be under the generic name tylosin in other countries. In many countries antibiotics may only be available from vets, but places where you buy cattle, goat, and sheep products may have Tylosin. Oxytetracycline powder for the water may also be available, but I would choose it if Tylan was not available. Oxy oral is not OTC in the US any more.

Can you try a warm wet compress or washcloth to the eyes while you hold her? Eye drainage forms a crust, but it melts with warm water. Then you would need to try opening the eyelid with your fingers.

 

[joboa22]

Hi . I am currently trying warm compress three times daily. I am in the UK and this year you can not purchase over the counter antibiotics now with out vet prescription. Gone very strict. How ever I was advised to use human eye drops which are antibiotics. Chlorophenical.

 

[Turkeyfarmig]

Could you post a picture? Is it something like fowl pox with crusty lesions? Some respiratory infections will cause the eyes to swell shut too.

 

[Turkeyfarmig]

what to do??

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Is it getting pecked by other birds? I would probably try some antibiotic eye drops. You probably will need to ask a vet for those, but I'm not sure.