Hen scratched her eye.

[DianeB]

My hen is keeping one eye shut and it tears up when she opens it. There is a small scratch mark on the eyelid. I am pretty sure she scratched sometime this afternoon because she was fine earlier in the day.

Her pupil seems fine and she seems to be able to focus. But, I am afraid she might get an infection. Can I flush it out with over the counter eye drops?

Thank you

 

[nuthatched]

A simple saline will be fine.

 

[DianeB]

Thank you

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you post a picture of the eye in good light without reflections? It may be a scratched cornea or ulcer. Bausch and Lomb Eye Relief Eye Wash is about $4 for a large bottle, and is sterile. You can also make sterile saline by boiling a quart of water and adding 2 tsp of salt (or a smaller quantity of 1 cup water and 1/2 tsp of salt) and simmer on low for 15 minutes. Those can be used to flush the eye, and then I would use Terramycin eye ointment or plain Neosporin ointment into the eye twice a day.

 

[DianeB]

Thank you
I have saline drops and neosporin. I applied both last night.

 

[DianeB]

Should I patch it?

 

[nuthatched]

Should I patch it?

No, she won't tolerate it