- Sep 22, 2008
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What does this white eye mean?
The hen's right eye has been shut for ten days. No sign of external injury. She free-ranges; so I don't know the cause.
The eye has been swollen-out the entire time. The bulge of the eye (through the closed eyelid) appears to be more forward-located than the healthy left eye.
In the last few days, the hen has been opening the injured eye very briefly, now and then, usually when she hears the other hens and rooster nearby.
However, all that is visible when she opens the eye is WHITE.
Is there a way to determine whether (a) the cornea has gone opaque (white), or (b) the white that I see is the nictating membrane ("third eyelid") protecting the swollen eye, (c) something else?
For five days I've been treating the left eye with erythromycin (broad spectrum antibiotic) ophthalmic ointment - to help against surface infections (of the cornea), if any. When I pry the eyelid open, the gap I can create is tiny, so even the ointment isn't getting applied to much of the cornea.
I've kept her in a separate small cage, to guarantee that the other hens and rooster don't peck the injured eye. At this rate I expect to keep her separated for a week or two longer to give the eye the best chance to heal, as she would be vulnerable while free-ranging out in the open with the sight of one eye missing.
Also, I've ordered some soluble Terramycin-343 powder to put into her drinking water, in the hope of getting that to the internal parts of the swollen eye. I know it's late to be starting with the Terramycin.
I cannot afford to take her to a vet.
The hen's right eye has been shut for ten days. No sign of external injury. She free-ranges; so I don't know the cause.
The eye has been swollen-out the entire time. The bulge of the eye (through the closed eyelid) appears to be more forward-located than the healthy left eye.
In the last few days, the hen has been opening the injured eye very briefly, now and then, usually when she hears the other hens and rooster nearby.
However, all that is visible when she opens the eye is WHITE.
Is there a way to determine whether (a) the cornea has gone opaque (white), or (b) the white that I see is the nictating membrane ("third eyelid") protecting the swollen eye, (c) something else?
For five days I've been treating the left eye with erythromycin (broad spectrum antibiotic) ophthalmic ointment - to help against surface infections (of the cornea), if any. When I pry the eyelid open, the gap I can create is tiny, so even the ointment isn't getting applied to much of the cornea.
I've kept her in a separate small cage, to guarantee that the other hens and rooster don't peck the injured eye. At this rate I expect to keep her separated for a week or two longer to give the eye the best chance to heal, as she would be vulnerable while free-ranging out in the open with the sight of one eye missing.
Also, I've ordered some soluble Terramycin-343 powder to put into her drinking water, in the hope of getting that to the internal parts of the swollen eye. I know it's late to be starting with the Terramycin.
I cannot afford to take her to a vet.
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