HELP PLEASE! Bad Eye Scratch

TweeterKat

Member
Sep 3, 2014
76
0
Ontario, Canada
Parrots
1 Lutino Peachfaced Lovebird named Jello
My baby Jello has gotten a horrible eye scratch just now (blood and everything!). I have flushed it with tepid water multiple times and the bleeding has stopped, but I am concerned about infection. It is very swollen and she is being very sucky with me - dont blame her, it HURTS!

Any and all advice right now will be appreciated. Especially if anyone has any suggestions for a natural infection fighter. I would use homemade saline solution, but is that ok for her eye?

Help please!
PS - I am not in a position to take her to the vet right now so please don't hate on me, just help. Thank you
 

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Sterling1113

New member
Feb 15, 2014
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Dallas area, Texas
That is a very bad scratch in a very bad place. None of us here are certified to give you the help you need, bottom line is she needs an avian vet. No hate involved, just hoping that what is best for the bird gets done. If left untreated, an infection could leave her blind, or worse. (you get the idea..)

If there's any way you can borrow money from somebody (family maybe?) to take her in and just pay them back overtime, it's better than nothing. In the meantime keep it clean with water. I can't tell you what is and isn't safe for her eye, but I sure hope she ends up okay.
 

JerseyWendy

New member
Jul 20, 2012
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OUCH! That is quite bad. :(

DITTO to everything Sterling has told you - no hate here, just the simple truth.
 

Flboy

Well-known member
Dec 28, 2014
12,598
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Greater Orlando area, Florida
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JoJo, 'Special' GCC, Bongo, Cinnamon GCC(wife's)
Vet for sure, but for my eyes, I have to use bacatration, 3 times a week for reoccurring infections. I DO NOT know if this is the right move for your hurt baby, but I do know doing nothing is the wrong move!
 
OP
TweeterKat

TweeterKat

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Sep 3, 2014
76
0
Ontario, Canada
Parrots
1 Lutino Peachfaced Lovebird named Jello
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I have no $$ til friday. My mother is the only help I have and she has $5 til the end of month (on disability) so no, I have no one. I need to do something NOW. NOT ON FRIDAY. The vet will not extend me credit til then either. I called.
My back is against the wall here guys!!!
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
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San Antonio, TX
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Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
I have used tiny amounts of birdie neosporin ointment on cuts and open wounds. I don't remember what it was called. It's been many years since I had a plucker covered in sores...

I'm not sure with it being that close to the eye if this is a good idea, however.

That's a qualified medical decision.

What caused the scratch? If it's a cat... it's critical to seek vet care. Complications can arise from cat scratches.
 

labell

New member
Feb 17, 2014
1,988
5
East
Saline solution is safe but yes how did the scratch happen and is it near the eye or on the eye itself?
 
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TweeterKat

TweeterKat

Member
Sep 3, 2014
76
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Ontario, Canada
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1 Lutino Peachfaced Lovebird named Jello
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I cant tell if it on or near her eye. Thinking on. Booked an appt for friday morning with vet, he just said to keep it moist with eye drops (Refresh tears etc). Cant do much else till then. So going to try the saline solution? I am so worried about infection.
 

Sterling1113

New member
Feb 15, 2014
1,189
3
Dallas area, Texas
As mentioned earlier, a scratch from a cat is VERY dangerous. They carry all sorts of bacteria that is terrible for birds. Even their saliva is enough to kill a parrot. (in cases of hissing or spitting without scratching or biting.)

How is your lovebird now? Is she eating or drinking? Staying balanced? I sure hope she makes it till Friday. Did you book the appointment with an AVIAN vet or just a normal small animal vet?
 

Mariar

Well-known member
May 9, 2014
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Clearwater Florida but grew up in Wisconsin
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You can't get care credit??? Refresh tears is what I use for pet first aid...please keep all of us informed ..a cat scratch is bad for birds just as stated above
 

labell

New member
Feb 17, 2014
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The bacteria present in a cat's nails and mouth is absolutely deadly to parrots! Did you tell the vet it was from a cat? They can go into shock from this and die very quickly. I am sorry to say this but in my opinion a cat and a bird have NO business in the same room out together. That much blood means where ever it was it was deep, the chance of infection or shock is very high you need to find a way to get the bird to the vet asap.
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
The vet will probably give you some sort of an antibiotic ointment for the cut.

Other than that, all you can do is keep him warm and quiet.
 

SoCalWendy

New member
Jun 29, 2013
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0
Kihei, Hawaii
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None at the moment
My cat snuck up on us. Need I say more?

Awww poor thing... I see now why your so concerned about infection. Ugh, maybe the vet will reconsider and see you now. Someone mentioned care credit. I have used it in a pinch for dental work. You really should look in to it. All the best. Please update us.
 

Doublete

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Mar 15, 2015
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Maryland
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"Loki" turquoise GCC 1/4/15 hatch date-- "Chiqui" amazon 9/2010 hatch date---- "Banner" green parrotlet hatchdate 11/22/16

RIP "pineapple" lovebird
You should let your vet know it was from a cat.
That is very scary.
Good luck.
 
OP
TweeterKat

TweeterKat

Member
Sep 3, 2014
76
0
Ontario, Canada
Parrots
1 Lutino Peachfaced Lovebird named Jello
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The sad part is that i did tell them it was from a cat and they still refused me credit til friday. I am a new client to them (to who asked before, they are an avian vet, the only one in the city) so no special treatment for me.
I have been keeping it moist with saline solution and although it looks really badly bruised and swollen, she is able to see out of it I think as she keeps cocking her head to the side to look at me from it and can open and close the lid some. She is acting fairly normal otherwise when she is with me (currently trying to pick apart my phone!) All of this is positive under the circumstances. I am going to continue as is and see the vet on friday. Thank you for all the concern and suggestions. I will let everyone know her progress.
 

Flboy

Well-known member
Dec 28, 2014
12,598
4,101
Greater Orlando area, Florida
Parrots
JoJo, 'Special' GCC, Bongo, Cinnamon GCC(wife's)
I did find this:
Bird Toy Outlet Bird Safety Article - First Aid for Avian Emergencies
"If it is a minor wound that you are going to treat yourself, keep the wound clean and apply and antibiotic, anti-inflammatory cream to the wound daily. Make sure you use a cream, not an ointment. Ointments are oil based and gum up bird feathers. Neosporin-Plus topical cream is a good choice that is available over-the-counter in pharmacies."
No, the eye is NOT a minor wound, but to fight an infection you may want to consider this!
Also bacitracin is listed as safe for chickens per:
https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/medicine-chart
 

Taw5106

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Mar 27, 2014
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Texas
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Sweety - Budgie 1985 - 1986
From a patient care financial perspective, do what the vet said but keep providing updates to the vets office on your baby's condition whether they want it or not till Friday. Show an emense effort and interest in your baby's care. As hard as it sounds they need hear this, you should get some verbal advice.
 

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