Post by sublimelyoblivious on Dec 1, 2009 15:46:17 GMT -5
I have a newly trapped male passage redtailed hawk. I noticed shortly after unhooding that he had a bit of foam in the inside corner of his eye, which went away after a while (that same day). I didn't see it again for a while. Today I saw it again. I was just wondering if I should be concerned or if this is common, or normal. My Sponsor's female doesn't seem to ever have foam in her eye when I see her, and I wondered if he might possible have something in his eye, or an over productive duct.... anyone encounter this? I have searched the forum, and did not find any post related to foamy eyes.... thanks
Post by Master Yarak on Dec 1, 2009 16:16:28 GMT -5
Take a close look at the hood for any wet spots or moisture inside of it. That means it has touched and irritated the eye. If it is not that then it is likely she got something in it or it is being irritated by something else. You may need to cast her under bright lighting and look close for any marks on the lens. You can pick up some eye wash or use warm water and irrigate it if it continues. If after all that then you should plan a trip to the vet. Yarak
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away
Post by sublimelyoblivious on Dec 3, 2009 9:25:24 GMT -5
here is the best pic I could get. He kept turning his head. Right now we are working on the hop to the fist, and he was somewhat uncooperative when I was trying to take the pics. I noticed he was blinking it a bit more than the other eye, and it appears to be on his inner eyelid or victitating membrane. It could be mucus of some sort? I am not sure, but I am contacting the vet today. I wanted to share this picture, for everyone's future reference, as no one here seems to have ever encountered this, and I will post any info from the vet and sponsor as well.
Post by sublimelyoblivious on Dec 3, 2009 11:18:05 GMT -5
Today there is no sign of foam I have noticed it off and on, not consistently each day. So I am wondering if this is not just a way for him to cleanse his eye. I wish that I had some medical facts about their eyes. I am going to try the university library, and continue to make phone calls, just in case it recurs tomorrow.
Post by okiereddirthawker on Dec 3, 2009 17:45:10 GMT -5
Like Yarak said about checking the hood and make sure it is not touching the cornea. If the nictitating membrane is out more than it is in there probably is some damage to the cornea. Look in the oral cavity and pay close attention to the roof of the mouth. There should be small papilla that point backwards and 2 THIN slits right in the middle. There are some fungal conditions that allow for air to pass up through the oral cavity and produce bubbles in the eye but i would expect there to be severe deformation to the choana and infundibular cleft (the 2 slits). I would still plan a trip to the vet to have the eye stained and have him checked out.
Health....... is the slowest possible rate at which you can die! That's Dr. Okiereddirthawker!
Post by sublimelyoblivious on Dec 4, 2009 10:56:10 GMT -5
My sponsor is planning a visit very soon to help me examine this guy. Although the last time I saw the symptom was Wednesday morning and it was not only extremely cold, but very windy, as well. I checked it yesterday, (and today) and it looked very clear. We will check the mouth as well, as that sounds feasible. I looked in the NAFAHH, and I couldn't find any info, as well as F&H....those ae my two best Refs. We are consulting with the vet as well, and maybe in for a check very soon. He is otherwise very healthy, responsive and alert. He seems less bothered by his eye than I was, and as I said, I am watching him closely to see if the symptom returns, as I am sure that would help the vet and my sponsor determine why it would be like this. As far as the hood, he was only hooded upon trapping, and has not worn the hood since. It was my sponsor's hood and I no longer have it. When I visit him next I will look at the hood for visible moisture or perhaps a loose stitch or anything that may have initiated the irritation. Thanks you for all your help. When I know more, or see the symptoms again I will try to keep you posted, as this appears to not be extremely common.
I saw this in an owl. Had a tiny down feather get stuck under his nictating membrane - likely after he preened. It worked itself out after a few days, no harm done.
Might've been something little inside the hood when you hooded him at trapping, or something flew into his eye before you took him off the trap. Just sayin...
Post by sublimelyoblivious on Dec 4, 2009 13:22:28 GMT -5
thanks migisi, I was really checking him out wednesday and thursday while manning, and while the foaminess was there it was impossible to see, but when it was clearer, it looked like a few of his tiny "whiskers" were poking in the corner of his eye. (don't know what those feathers are called, but that is what they look like). I'm not ruling out anything, but that is how it appeared to me. First Bird, so everything is a drama for the newbie! Thanks again, that makes me feel hopeful that it isn't too serious.
it looked like a few of his tiny "whiskers" were poking in the corner of his eye. (don't know what those feathers are called, but that is what they look like).
The little hair-like facial feathers are called 'bristle' feathers.
First Bird, so everything is a drama for the newbie!
Rather ask about it than not ask! Keep that up.
Thanks again, that makes me feel hopeful that it isn't too serious.
I think if it was something serious, it would be there all the time and would've worsened by now. I'd have the doc check it anyway, just to be sure.
Curious... Any slimy or discolored liquid coming out of the nares? (Note: clear nasal discharge is normal when the hawk's eating.)
Curious... Any slimy or discolored liquid coming out of the nares? (Note: clear nasal discharge is normal when the hawk's eating.)
Nope and that is the first thing that my sponsor asked as well. He hasn't had any sort of mucus or anything. His "mouth waters" after that first tidbit, but outside of feeding time there are no fluids on his face in general. I think what worried me the most was seeing it more than once. He had it when first unhooded, then again a few days later. That was the last time I saw the symptom, which was a particularly crappy weather day for us here. Because of the weather, for a minute I thought it could be a "cold in his eye" which sounds like nonsense, but my son had just that happen to him as a toddler, so I know it is possible with humans. the day after, when it was clear, I saw little feathers kinda caught in his eye, but it looked like it was working itself out. But no sign since then. My sponsor is still coming for a visit, and he wanted to see him before I do anything else. I intended to use his vet, but I am now thinking of using someone else, so I may end up just dropping off a fecal, and maybe having him "wormed" so to speak. I am more just relieved that someone had even encountered a symptom like this, than it being something as simple as a bristle feather in his eye. I was getting MORE worried that no one had ever seen something like it....that is eerie! Thanks again, and I will keep you posted if you like.
...My sponsor is still coming for a visit, and he wanted to see him before I do anything else.
Excellent! Good idea.
I intended to use his vet, but I am now thinking of using someone else, so I may end up just dropping off a fecal, and maybe having him "wormed" so to speak.
If you don't mind me asking... why not use your sponsor's vet? Just curious.
Thanks again, and I will keep you posted if you like.
Post by sublimelyoblivious on Dec 6, 2009 14:08:57 GMT -5
I have been waiting for him to come out so I can ask about that vet, and see what he really thinks. He had to have a bird put down and I know that it ended up being more expensive than he thought, for the services provided. I also think that he thought there was more that could have been done. The bird was healing well and he had been babying it for a while. so, maybe I just detected his disappointment...I don't know. I am not deciding based solely on his experience, but I would like to get as much information as possible, so that I can make the best choice. As far as I know, there are only 2 vets that are avian certified (current members), but that doesn't mean that other vets are not previously certified, or have experience with birds, specifically BoP's. Plus I wanted to verify with my sponsor that the vet he used was the same one I contacted. So I just want to hear what he has to say, and decide from there. I think he said the vet he used worked for the zoo previously....again...I gotta get with him to get the facts. I have heard that any vet can do a fecal, and treat parasites. So I was thinking about dropping off a sample at a neighborhood vet, for now. I was under the assumption that most wild birds will have some "worms" or parasites...or at least it is pretty common. And the ones I contacted before I got a bird, can do that. One of which is previously certified, but doesn't get many avian patients. I have transferred my pets from vet to vet and it is only a matter of transferring papers to switch...so I figure I can decide to use someone else later, if I have a reason to.
As an update: the bird still has not had anything abnormal in his eye since my initial post. and we are both very happy about that!
i'm about a year late, but i'd look at Coryzea. if raptors can get it, you can treat it with the nfz Puffer found at feed stores.
coryzea causes first tiny bubbles. then foam to exude from inner corner or eye. it is basically leaking from a vesicle that leaks out of sinuses. it is like the eye is connected to the sinuses. MG often accompanies this.
lots of chicken people see this all the time and just treat them both. you'd want to talk to at least some sort of vet, whether it be with a university or private or gov't vet.
What is Coryzea?
"We promised the world we'd tame it, what were we hoping for?" -Bloc Party
Post by sublimelyoblivious on Dec 20, 2010 11:35:05 GMT -5
I just noticed this got a new reply... Turns out just a feather (bristle feather) in his eye. I think either it was like that already, or the hood may have caused it...(wasn't my hood at trapping). But I appreciate the response...as it could have become more serious in that time. I no longer have that bird, but he seemed to me to have been a bit rough from the git go. He had a bruised cere also when I got him, but I didn't know at that time it had any problems. Hard to say if it was sinus related now....but the foamy eye symptom never recurred after that week. Thanks,' Misty