Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 7/27/2008

Question
I have a 3yr old fm. I notice around one eye seems waterey, acts like it's bothering her also on the same side her beak looks alittle dark.  I thought maybe she rubbed it on the perches or this hanging rawhide seed filled thing I bought for them, it is only bothering one out of four birds.  Ihave given them different seed lately (I ran out of the good food and bought cheap stuff) could it be an alergic reaction? can I wipe her eye with visine liquid?

Answer
Hi, Debbie,

I don't know for sure what's wrong with this bird, if anything, since I don't know your birds/can't see what's going on, but I can give you some possibilities.

First, do not use Visine.  Visine that "gets the red out" can actually make matters worse if there's a problem because the medicine that "gets the red out" constricts blood vessels in the eye.  Blood circulation is required, particularly if healing is to occur.  You can use sterile eye drops that you can find near Visine products at the store (make sure the drops are warm before placing in the bird's eye...don't put cold liquid in the eye).  You may only need to use a Q-Tip dipped in warm water to wash the eye out in case something, like a seed hull, might be stuck in the eye or under the eyelid.  Sterile eye drops would do the same.  It could also be that the bird has scratched its eye on something and/or with its toenails.  This could also be a sign of respiratory problems, even on just one side.  Watch for any signs of fluid coming from the nostrils.  Another possibility would be something bad in the air that is only affecting one bird.  Each bird is different, i.e., one bird could be more sensitive than the others and/or might have allergies to something in the air and/or in the feed.  This bird could have also injured itself on something or rubbed it's beak/eye on something covered with bacteria or other germs.  

Seed is seed, no matter what brand.  Some seed is "vitamin enriched" which only means they added vitamins to the seed mix, which cannot penetrate seed hulls.  Therefore, all seed is bad for birds as the sole source of nutrition.  Seed is high in fat, low in nutritional value, thus, a poor diet.  Seed can harbor bacteria, etc., and when the bird eats it, the bird gets sick.

This problem could be a number of things.  Keep an eye on the bird and if the condition worsens, seek certified avian veterinarian assistance right away.

Chrys