Ask the Swan Specialist

Re: swan eye infection
By:The Regal Swan
Date: 9 May 2012
In Response To: swan eye infection (marie)

Hi Marie:

What you are describing seems to be conjunctivitis ( an inflammation/infection of the area around the eyelid, commonly called pink eye in humans). This can be an extremely contagious condition which can spread not only to the swan's other eye but also to other waterfowl.

It is extremely important that you get the swan to a veterinarian to ensure that nothing worse is occurring, such as trauma from being poked or shot, etc. If it is conjunctivitis, the veterinarian will prescribe a veterinary antibiotic eye ointment which can quickly treat the condtion. The ointment needs to be placed on the eyelid once or twice daily. Ointment is better than eye drops because it stays on the eye and eyelid much longer in the water. Delay in treatment could possibly cause the swan to have sight problems in the future and worsening conditions, although rare, could result in blindness

The Regal Swan

Messages In This Thread

swan eye infection -- marie -- 9 May 2012
Re: swan eye infection -- The Regal Swan -- 9 May 2012