Eye Health

[mickw]

Just a quick one......and its not strictly finch

I noticed that one eye of the youngest of the Little Lorikeets (about a week from fledging) is a bit opaque .......Anyone think thats a problem?.....I dont have an avian vet up here so I was hoping to get a few ideas from you folk before I see one of the local vets

[VR1Ton]

Check for a response, if you can hold it in one hand, & bring the other hand from behind its head, on the good side, it will react, if it does not do this on the bad side, good chance it's blind in that eye. If it is weeping, there maybe a bit of nesting material or the like in there, or even something more sinster, Myzo or Danny might be able to give you a bit more info than me.

[Myzomela]

Any chance of a photo or two?

[Myzomela]

Is the cloudiness on the surface of the eye or in the eye itself?
Does the bird squint or rub that eye?
Does the other eye look the same or different?

[mickw]

Thanks Myzo....was sorta hoping I'd flush you out

Here's some pics, not the best but you should be able to get the gist....

crook eye.JPG

Good side.JPG

The crook eye pic is a bit hazy but you can make out the central milky or opaque patch......As opposed to the good eye which is consistantly dark.

Note also, I have applied some Terramycin "Pink Eye" spray which is blue.

He'she is pretty healthy, scratching and quite vocal today for the first time since removing from the nest......feeding well too.

I have tested response as VR1ton suggested. My early conclusion is that it doesnt respend well on the crook side.

There is no discharge or swelling, no scratching or obvious signs of irritation and blinks normally on the crook side.

The other two nest partners fledged on Sunday and are appreciably more developed. This guy has always been the runt. I figured it was the youngest by maybe 8 days, but its possible it has had this eye problem all along, exacerbating the disparity in development????..

Anyway, any help gratefully received..........If you have any need for forest products or forestry advice, I'll be happy to reciprocate

[Myzomela]

The problem is likely to be congenital (born with it) or developmental and there probably isn't much you can do about it.
It's hard to say for sure but it could be a cataract in the lens or early uveitis (inflammation in the eye). If it's a cataract it may become more opaque over time or stay as it is. As long as it doesn't rupture the lens inside the eye it shouldn't worry the bird too much.

If it is uveitis, then it will likely get worse over time & the bird will start squinting, blinking more & rubbing the eye and will appear to be in pain.

It's probably best just to monitor it for now. It may have been caused by a trauma early in the bird's life or some other internal problem.
It's biggest challenge will be seeing how it copes with weaning and flying around the aviary. So long as it can do these things ok it should be fine.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

PS Thanks for the photos.
PPS I may just take you up on the forestry advice some day!!

[VR1Ton]

Carefull Myzo, t think I know the response you'll get there, 'Thats a tree!'

[Myzomela]

Yeah, well, I guess that's a start!! Surprisingly I MAY have been able to work that one out for myself, but you never know!!

[mickw]

Thanks Myzo........If it shows an interest in V8Supercar racing then it'll certainly be congenital........eh VR1ton

Is it any value to continue with the Terramycin spray treatment?........

The bird, is well and very active.....took its first flight yesterday.......more like a drop with alot of futile flapping ......it may be too early to tell whether eyesight was the problem

Thanks for your advice, I'll take "Squirt" to the local Vet if it there's any significant change or if he appears distressed.

According to our mate Don, us Scientists & Vets are barking up the wrong tree

[Myzomela]

I don't think that the terramycin spray would be doing much Mick in this case.

As for our friend Don, it takes all sorts to rock the boat. At least it stimulated discussion...a topic perhaps for a different discussion!