Bird’s Swollen Eye Could Mean Sinus Infection

Q: For the last two weeks, my female cockatiel has been keeping her left eye partially closed, and now there seems to be some swelling around the eye. For the last several days, I have been using an antibiotic eye ointment to see if that would help clear up the problem, but the skin around the eye seems to be getting worse and is still swollen. She still is eating well but doesn’t like to have her head touched anymore, probably because I have been holding her still to put the ointment on. Is there something else that I should be using? What is causing the swelling around her eye? I did start her on some antibiotics from the pet store, but she doesn’t like that at all.

Alan Pratter, Fountain Valley

A: Any swelling around the face or eye of a bird often indicates an infection of the sinuses and will require some very thorough treatment before it can be cleared. Sometimes, those birds will also show signs of breathing problems or have their nostrils plugged with mucus. By scratching or rubbing at the eye, the bird can make the infection worse.

You should have your bird seen by a veterinarian who is familiar with treating birds. The doctor may need to sedate or anesthetize the bird to drain or clean the infection and get a sample of the material for culture, to help identify the cause and determine what antibiotics will work.

Your bird will probably be given injections directly, not in the water. If topical medication is to be used, liquid drops should be given rather than ointments which tend to mat down the surrounding feathers and can make a situation worse. Treating sinus infections can take a long time, and you must be diligent in keeping up the medication. You will also need to keep her cage cleaned frequently and make sure that she is separated from any other birds. Your veterinarian will also need to examine the eye to make sure there is no injury or infection of the eyeball itself.

Q: Is there anything I can do for my chow’s eyes? They are always runny and get a lot of infection in them. One vet that I went to gave me some eyedrops to put into the eyes but the infection seems to return. Another vet said that my dog may need surgery. Can you suggest anything?

Charles Good, Costa Mesa

A You may want to have your dog examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist to evaluate his condition and decide if surgery is necessary. Chows are notorious for having inverted eyelids, called entropion, which allows the eyelashes to rub on the eye. This leads to constant irritation and mucus production. Surgery is necessary to correct the condition.

The veterinarian will also check the nasolacrimal ducts in each eye to make sure they are clear and allow the tears to flow from the eyes. You should ask your regular veterinarian for a referral.

Q: My vet has told me that my cat will need surgery to remove a mass from her belly that he says is part of her mammary glands. I would like to get a second opinion, but whom should I see?

T.L.M., El Toro

A: Ask your veterinarian for a referral and explain why. There is no problem with asking for a second opinion on any procedure as long as the second opinion comes from someone qualified in the area of medicine or surgery in question. If you feel uncomfortable, you might want to consult the telephone book or contact the Southern California Veterinary Medical Assn., which will be able to give you a list of other veterinarians in your area that you might want to see. Don’t delay, however, since, if this is a mammary tumor, time could be an important factor.