Lucas Delgado
If your chicken has bubbles in her eyes, it could be a respiratory disease called Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (M.G.), which is known to cause small bubbles in the corners of the eyes and swollen sinuses. Other symptoms include sneezing, nasal discharge, coughing, and swollen eyelids. Mycoplasma is highly contagious and can be transmitted through the air, water, or faeces. Another possible cause is Coryza, a contagious disease that also requires specific antibiotics for treatment. It is important to consult a veterinarian to obtain an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment for your chicken.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possible Causes | Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (M.G.), Coryza, Gapeworms, Aspergillosis, Mycoplasma Synoviae, Mycoplasma Meleagridis, Mycoplasma lowae, Foreign Object in Nostril |
| Symptoms | Ruffled feathers, Fluid in eyes, Coughing, Sneezing, Gurgling/rattling while breathing, Swollen face, Drop in egg numbers from laying hens, Loss of appetite, Sweet-smelling breath, Foamy eyes, Nasal discharge, Swollen joints, Deformed egg shells, Poor growth, Reduced hatchability, Twisted legs, Stained feathers |
| Treatment | Antibiotics (Tylan, Baytril, Gallimycin, Tylosin), Probiotics, Vitamin supplements, Quarantine, Blood tests, Vaccination, Disinfection of surroundings, Necropsy |
| Prevention | Strict quarantine for new birds, Blood tests for new birds, Vigilance to keep Mycoplasma levels low, Reduce stressors, Provide fresh air, sunshine, exercise and good forage |
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What You'll Learn
Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (M.G.)
M.G. is characterised by small bubbles in the corners of the eyes, swollen sinuses, nasal discharge, and swollen eyelids. Other symptoms include coughing, sneezing, rattling or strained breathing, a swollen face, a drop in egg production, and loss of appetite. Some birds may die, while others may recover but remain carriers of the disease for life.
The incubation period for M.G. can be as little as a few days, and it thrives when other pathogens are present, such as E. coli or infectious bronchitis. It can also be exacerbated by stressors such as nutritional deficiencies, excessive environmental ammonia, and changes in the pecking order.
While there is no cure for M.G., early treatment with antibiotics like Tylan, Baytril, or Gallimycin can increase the chances of recovery. However, antibiotic treatment should be combined with probiotics to restore good digestive bacteria. Additionally, implementing strict quarantine periods and blood testing new birds can help prevent the disease from spreading to other flocks.
To diagnose M.G., tissue swabs from the inner eyelids, sinus, and trachea can be tested using serology tests such as the serum plate agglutination (SPA) test, hemagglutination inhibition test (HI), or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
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Respiratory disease
M.G. is highly contagious and can be spread through the air, water, and faeces. Birds that recover from the infection remain carriers and can continue to spread the disease. While there is no cure, early treatment with antibiotics such as Tylan, Baytril, or Gallimycin can increase the chances of recovery. Probiotics are also recommended to restore good digestive bacteria, as antibiotics can kill them off.
Another respiratory disease that causes bubbles in the eyes is Coryza, a highly contagious disease that requires specific antibiotics for treatment. Disinfecting the infected bird's surroundings can help minimise the spread to the rest of the flock.
Gapeworms (Syngamus trachea) are also considered a respiratory issue, as the adult worms reside in the trachea or windpipe. Additionally, Aspergillosis is an infectious fungal disease that affects the respiratory system, leaving birds gasping for breath.
To prevent respiratory diseases, it is recommended to have a strict quarantine period for new birds and to blood test them if your flock is large or valuable. Keeping stressors to a minimum is also important, as M.G. thrives when other pathogens are present or when birds are stressed or debilitated.
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Antibiotic treatment
If your chicken has bubbles in its eyes, it could be infected with a disease called Coryza, a highly contagious bacterial disease. It is airborne, waterborne, and feces-borne, and can be passed on to other chickens. The disease does not affect eggs, but giving antibiotics can.
To treat the disease, you should separate the infected chicken from the rest of the flock to prevent the spread. A thorough disinfecting of the coop, roosts, and nests can minimize the effects on the rest of the flock.
Antibiotics can be used to treat the disease, although they will not completely cure it. Tylan Soluble is licensed for the treatment of mycoplasma and is probably the best treatment. It is effective in young stock but seems to be less effective in older stock unless given at an early stage of the disease. Other antibiotics that can be prescribed include Baytril Oral and Gallimycin, although Baytril should not be used in laying hens as it will take them out of the food chain. If the chicken is still showing signs of the disease after treatment, it must be culled as the organism will be too deeply entrenched within the airsacs and hollow bones to be removed.
It is important to support the chicken's digestion during and after antibiotic treatment with probiotics, as antibiotics can kill off good digestive bacteria. It is also recommended to get the flock on a vitamin schedule to help their immune systems be as healthy as possible.
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Mycoplasma synoviae
MS infection usually occurs as a subclinical upper respiratory infection, meaning there are no obvious clinical signs. However, when combined with other pathogens, such as the infectious bronchitis virus, it can cause significant upper respiratory disease. The characteristic signs of MS infection include watery eyes, tracheal rales, nasal discharge, and coughing. In some cases, MS becomes systemic and results in infectious synovitis, an acute to chronic infection involving the synovial membranes of joints and tendon sheaths. Clinical signs of infectious synovitis include swollen and hot joints, enlarged livers, spleens, and kidneys, and breast blisters.
The incubation period for MS can be as little as a few days, and it is highly infectious. It is transmitted through vertical transmission (from parent to chick) and horizontal transmission, primarily via the respiratory tract. If MS is introduced to a flock, usually 100% of the birds become infected, although not all will develop joint lesions.
Treatment for MS includes antibiotics, such as Tylan Soluble, which can help prevent synovitis if given early. However, antibiotics are not effective in established cases. Control and serology-based surveillance programs have helped eliminate MS from most breeder flocks in the USA. Additionally, a Mycoplasma vaccine is available, but it is not recommended for use in breeding chickens due to uncertainty about its effectiveness duration.
To prevent the spread of MS, it is important to disinfect the coop, roosts, nests, and anywhere an infected bird has been. Infected birds should be separated from the flock, and stressors should be kept to a minimum to support the bird's immune system.
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Coryza
Infectious coryza is a serious bacterial disease that affects the respiratory system of chickens. It is found worldwide and causes significant economic losses due to reduced egg production and the need to cull infected birds. The disease is caused by the bacterium Avibacterium paragallinarum, which is Gram-negative.
Infectious coryza can occur in chickens of any age, but mature birds are generally more susceptible. The disease is often observed during a flock's peak egg-laying phase. Stressful events, such as relocating birds or changes in the pecking order, can also trigger outbreaks. The bacteria that cause infectious coryza are commonly found in certain regions, such as the Southwest, but can appear anywhere chickens are raised.
The most distinctive symptoms of infectious coryza include swelling of the face and nasal and eye discharge. This discharge may appear as small bubbles, especially in the corners of the eyes. Other common respiratory signs include coughing, sneezing, and a strained crow in male chickens. The disease typically does not lead to death but causes a significant drop in egg production and a decrease in feed and water consumption.
Infectious coryza is highly contagious and can be transmitted through the air, water, or faeces. It is important to separate infected birds from the flock and thoroughly disinfect any areas the infected bird has accessed. While there is no cure for the disease, specific antibiotics can help manage the infection and reduce its severity. Early treatment increases the chances of recovery. Probiotics are also recommended to restore good digestive bacteria, as antibiotics can disrupt the natural balance.
To prevent infectious coryza, it is crucial to introduce only coryza-free birds to the flock. Vaccinations are available but are not recommended for breeding chickens due to uncertainty about their effectiveness over time. In the event of an outbreak, culling the entire flock may be necessary to control the disease's spread.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few reasons why your chicken might have bubbles in her eyes. It could be caused by a respiratory disease called Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (M.G.), which is very common in backyard flocks. M.G. causes respiratory issues and can weaken your chicken's immune system. Other symptoms include swollen sinuses, sneezing, coughing, and a drop in egg production.
Antibiotics like Tylan, Baytril, or Gallimycin can be prescribed by your vet to reduce the infection to a tolerable level. Treatment should start early for a better chance of recovery. It is also recommended to separate the infected chicken from the rest of the flock to prevent the spread.
Yes, another possible cause is a disease called Coryza, which is also contagious. There is a vaccination available for this, but you should consult a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis.
It is important to isolate the infected chicken and provide it with a comfortable environment. You can use eye solutions to clean the eyes and administer antibiotics as prescribed by a veterinarian. Probiotics can also be given to support digestive health, as antibiotics can kill off good bacteria.
