Birds make great pets, but like any pet animal, they are prone to health problems. Eye diseases are common in pet birds. These pets live very long lives, so over the years, they may encounter an eye injury or two, such as conjunctivitis.
Common symptoms of eye disease in pet birds include redness and swelling around the eye and a discharge or crusty substance in and around the eye. Your bird may start rubbing or scratching its eye out of discomfort. If you suspect your bird has eye problems, we recommend immediate veterinary attention.
Most eye diseases in birds are treatable, and your veterinarian may prescribe eye drops or ointments to administer at home. Terramycin®Depending on the underlying cause of your bird’s problem, several days to several weeks of daily treatment may be necessary, but you may be wondering how to safely apply the eye drops to your pet bird.
Before giving the bird eye drops
It is important to read all medication labels, including the duration of treatment as recommended by your veterinarian, and for any special considerations when storing bird eye drops or ointments.
Most eye diseases in birds are treatable, and your veterinarian may prescribe eye drops or ointments to administer at home.
Always wash your hands before and after your treatment session.
Keep the bottle open and close to you before handling your bird. Keep the tip of the bottle clean.Do not allow the tip to come into direct contact with the eye, eyelid, bird, or any other surface.
Before administering the medication, gently wipe the area around your bird’s eyes with a clean, warm towel or gauze.
How you handle and restrain your bird will depend on the size and species of the bird. Consult your veterinarian about proper restraint methods to ensure your bird’s safety. It may be helpful to have a second person help. Birds are generally placed on the floor and gently wrapped in a small towel from neck to tail to prevent them from moving.
Uses of Bird’s Eye Drops
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Position the bird so that the eye to be treated is parallel to the ceiling.
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Before applying, hold the bottle close to your eye in your dominant hand.
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Target the center of your eye and squeeze the bottle so the drops fall directly onto your eye.
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Hold the bird in the same position for 5-10 seconds and encourage it to blink – this helps distribute the drops.
After administering eye drops to birds
After administration, your bird may try to rub its eyes in the cage. The use of a recovery cone collar may be necessary. Proper fitting of the recovery cone is very important. Your bird may injure itself if the cone is not fitted correctly. Your veterinarian should provide proper fitting and maintenance for your bird. Can you recommend where to buy it?If your bird’s eyes become red or inflamed after administration, contact your veterinarian.
Be sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions to complete the eye drop treatment, as skipping or stopping treatment prematurely could cause the eye infection to worsen and lead to blindness or permanent damage to your bird’s eyes.
