Author Topic: Swollen eye and blisters (Read 1386 times)

jheard · « **on:** August 20, 2016, 12:14:02 pm »

Hi

One of our chickens developed a swollen closed eye a couple of days ago. We washed it out in case there was something in there but this morning she has developed some blisters on her wattle and lobes. Wondering if it is fowl pox?? Any ideas and advice please. Have tried uploading a photo but too big. Will try to shrink it down.

Thanks

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #1 on:** August 20, 2016, 05:24:26 pm »

Sounds a possibility. Have the blisters crusted over? The dry form is not normally fatal but the wet form can block the throat, making breathing very difficult. Might be worth having a word with your vet - a/bs in the water may help. If it is fowl pox it can remain in the environment for years, so I'd isolate her and disinfect everything she's been in contact with. Keep a careful eye on the other birds.

devonlady · « **Reply #2 on:** August 20, 2016, 05:27:34 pm »

Oh dear, doesn't sound good. Hope all goes well!

jheard · « **Reply #3 on:** August 20, 2016, 05:31:13 pm »

Thanks. It is really just a blister. Whitish in colour. No crusting or anything so not sure. Having googled images, not sure if it is just early stages or if I'm wrong. No breathing trouble and she's pecked at seeds so I presume her beak/throat are ok? Will keep an eye on her and assume she's infected until we work it out.

chrismahon · « **Reply #4 on:** August 21, 2016, 07:45:54 am »

Might be a plant allergy? Could try 0.5mL shot of Cod Liver Oil for a couple of days.

Fowl pox is pretty rare in UK, although rife in USA. It appears as dry scabs which just don't respond to any surface treatment. We had an Orpington cock with a scab on his comb and tried everything we could think of. When we removed the Wyandotte hens from his run the scab just vanished overnight- stress depressing the immune system was our conclusion.