my baby cockatiel has a nick under his eye-how to treat?

[crimson]

I just finished hand feeding my babies and I noticed that my oldest one(just 3 weeks) has a nick under his right eye.
he has his eye half closed, I do NOT want to let this get infected!.....any suggestions on how to treat this.

*no creams, too close to his eye
*antibiotics are not necessary at this time

I was thinking a warm cloth, and press it gently against his eye?

I do know some people use tea bags, they soak the tea bag in water, then soak it up with a face cloth and place it against his eye......geez I don't know, he's so young, I'm not sure if the tea would irritate his eye or skin?

I've never had this happen before

 

[crimson]

...silly me, posted the same pic....

 

[crimson]

that's what I was thinking of doing.

I figured it was from those sharp toe nails, their like little knives.

warm compresses, got it.....and thanks!

I've also e-mailed my A-vet to see what he thinks. hopefully I'll hear back from him today

btw, how old are your babies in the picture, they are beautiful!

 

[MikeyTN]

When I treat near the eyes I use vetericyn Ophthalmic Gel.

 

[crimson]

When I treat near the eyes I use vetericyn Ophthalmic Gel.

where can I get that from Mikey? drug store?

 

[MikeyTN]

I got mine from a local feed store when I needed it bad but you can order it online as well. It is safe to use on their eye or near their eye. I keep it stocked at all times as I can use it on my other animals if I needed to.

 

[MikeyTN]

I did a research long time ago and this was the product it was suggested to use and I've been using it ever since. Here's their website for further details! Vetericyn One-step wound and skin care that works naturally with your animal's immune system

 

[MikeyTN]

I've raised over 100's as I've lost count throughout the years and it has happened occasionally and also happened with food particles getting in their eye causing issue but this product took care of it.

 

[MikeyTN]

On the bottle itself says more then what is posted. I have to re-look once I get home. It helps trust me....I've used it countless times with eye issue with partial irritation and minor infection. It is something I've done before countless times as I've been raising birds for over 17 years.

 

[crimson]

ok....well, thanks for all the info.
Evan, my A-vet called back, he said it should heal in a few days, if not he will re-assess it in about a week.

 

[crimson]

That's good news!

I talked to a super-experienced cockatiel breeder who uses a lot of home remedies, and she suggested calendula and/or aloe vera. The calendula in particular is said to have antiseptic properties while the aloe is supposed to promote healing. Both are safe for the eyes (at least in some forms, this isn't something that I've investigated so more research is needed on how to use them safely), and you can find online recipes for eyewash recipes using them as ingredients. If you decide to try any of this, a more diluted formula is probably best because human strength might be too much for birds.

I wonder if your baby's eye is half closed due to swelling in the eyelid which might interfere with opening the eye all the way. You could compare his eyelid to that of another baby that has its eye closed. A little swelling in the eyelid is better than having a scratch on the actual eye.

I can't say for sure if the eye itself was scratched, if it were, I think his eye would be totally shut, and quite swollen, watery etc....which it is not.

I will assess it tomorrow and see how it is.

I looked on line, but I am reluctant to use anything at the current moment, even though it's been recommended. He is very young, and my vet did not mention to administer anything to it. It's a scratch, and if it doesn't heal and gets infected, then I will give him what for.

 

[crimson]

If it doesn't heal and/or gets infected, you'll be well beyond the stage where home remedies will do any good. In fact you're probably beyond that stage already, because anti-bacteria measures need to be taken shortly after the injury. By this time what's going to happen is already on it's way to happening, and if there are any problems you'll need vet intervention. Hopefully there won't be any problems though; I didn't do anything at all for my baby with the little nick and it was fine. He never had any trouble opening his eye, but it seems likely that this is just a question of eyelid swelling.

should he need antibiotics, I have some here, but won't do so unless my vet advises me to do so.
thanks for your help!!