Blind Baby - Need advise

rescuebuddy · Fri May 02, 2014 12:08 pm

I discovered today that one of my baby Martin's eyes have not opened and it doesn't appear that it will open. One eye is actually flat and does not appear to have an actual eye in it. Both eyes have remained sealed shut. The other 4 siblings all have their eyes opened wide. The baby is otherwise healthy. Any advise as to what I should do with this baby come fledge time is greatly appreciated. Lorraine, Wellington FL

pmlover · Fri May 02, 2014 1:00 pm

I don't think it will survive on its own I'm sure you cant take it in as a pet so the alternative is kill it because it it cant see where its going it wont be able to stay out of harms way. I shed tears thinking of a pm dying but I guess its God's way that some of us have to die before others. Darn I'm getting depressed
sorry
Dick

Emil Pampell-Tx · Fri May 02, 2014 1:06 pm

I agree with Dick

Louise Chambers · Fri May 02, 2014 1:14 pm

How old is the nestling? Do give it time to make sure no development is taking place - I once had a nestling I thought was eyeless, but a day later, the eyes were open. Eyes usually open at about 9-10 days old.

A rehab center would euthanize it, there's no way to help it. I'm sorry you encountered this at your colony site; fortunately it is not common. Here's an older article from the Update about the condition:

http://www.purplemartin.org/main/Update12%282%29pg6.pdf

rescuebuddy · Fri May 02, 2014 3:47 pm

Thanks to all for the advice. The baby is right around 11 days old. I'm not good at killing animals. I'm going to wait and see if perhaps it's eyes open.
Thanks for the article. I will check it out.

threelilkids · Sat May 03, 2014 6:51 pm

Before you kill it take a warm wet paper towel and wipe the eyes. I know that it is known they stick sometimes although rare. After you soften the sill gently try to pry the eye open. I know it sounds bad but what do you have to lose? Good luck.

chickadee · Sat May 03, 2014 8:54 pm

I agree not to rush and kill it. Maybe birds are like kids and all develop a little slower then others. Wait a few days and see what happens. I had a Martin baby with the left side blown up like a clear bubble. I posted on here about it and found out it was called something weird but was a rare condition. I had to go out and pop the bubble for days and release air out. It went away by the time it fledged. I am glad I did not rush a kill it. Because man it was scary and I thought it was not going to make it. But I saved it.

rescuebuddy · Sun May 04, 2014 3:06 pm

Thanks Chickadee.

rescuebuddy · Tue May 06, 2014 8:40 am

Just a quick note to update everyone about my blind baby.

Yesterday I went out to check the baby and found that it's head and left eye appeared to have a scab on them. I'm thinking the baby might of gotten traumatized by someone's toenails. I applied some antibiotic cream to the head and around the eyes. The right eye was somewhat open but looked funny. This morning the right eye was fully open and the left was partially open. I gently rubbed the scab off and put more cream on it's head. I'm so happy because it appear that both eyes are there and will eventually return to normal. The baby is a bit smaller than the others so I might treat it with some meal worms and help it catch up in weight.

Thanks to everyone for your advice.

pmlover · Tue May 06, 2014 8:43 am

great job rescue buddy

rescuebuddy · Tue May 06, 2014 8:55 am

Thanks pmlover!

I'm envious of everyone's massive PM housing. I have my birds at the Fire Station I work at. Unfortunately I can't put up any more homes yet. Hoping one day I will be able to.

terriergal · Sun Jul 13, 2014 1:34 pm

I'd be curious to know whether this baby did survive after this?

rescuebuddy · Sun Jul 13, 2014 3:11 pm

No the baby bird did not survive even though it's eye did open up. I had 3 this year with eye problems and all 3 died. Sad but the year was good.
28 adult pairs equaling 71 fledglings.
No bad for a small group of homes.