What could this be?

[AEinarr]

Hello, I'm new here and I was wondering if anyone could help me with ideas on what this may be? I have several Zebra Finches and I recently adopted this hen from a local shop. I didn't notice it until I got her home. She has what looks like a sore above her right eye but acts otherwise healthy. She's eating, drinking, pooping, and bathing as normal. Could it be just an injury? A deformity? Or some sort of disease? I've booked an appointment with the vet but I'd just like to have an idea of what it could be. Thanks in advance!

[finchmix22]

AEinarr
Welcome to the forum! It looks like she was picked on and pecked by another zebra probably in the shop. That will happen if they aren't given a large enough cage for the amount of zebras. I'm glad she is eating and seems fine otherwise. You could put a small dab of neosporin on the wound. Keep us posted.

[AEinarr]

finchmix22
I hope it's just that and not something more severe, I'll keep the appointment just in case. The store I got her from, the cages were small and there was about 10 in there so I wouldn't be surprised. Have you dealt with injuries like this? Roughly how long did they take to heal and how did you handle it?

[finchmix22]

AEinarr
I would ask your vet for a tube of eye antibiotic ointment, which is similar to neosporin, but for the eyes. I had a finch who had his eye plucked out by a rival male and we put the eye ointment on the wound and it healed in a week or two. I just put a dab on the eye and let the ointment soak in on its own. I also gave the opportunity for daily baths to help the finch preen and keep themselves clean.
Given the conditions the finches were kept, they are all at risk for illness, so definitely quarantine the new bird and watch the dropppings. I put paper towel over the grate to keep an eye on their droppings, which is a good indicator of illness or health.

[AEinarr]

finchmix22
You rock! Thank you so much! I do have her in a quarantine cage at the moment as I didn't know if it was a disease or not so I'll go do the paper towel idea right away
Thanks again for the information! I'll post an update if anything changes

[lovezebs]

AEinarr

Welcome to the Forum.

Not too long ago, I had a situation, where one of my Zebra hens was severely pecked by another bird. She sustained damage to the eye area and almost lost her eye.

Seperating her from the other Zebras, I cleaned the affected area with warm water, and applied Polysporin cream to the area around the eye.

Although I'm not sure if she has regained full vision in that eye, she has healed, and is doing very well.

Good luck. Hopefully your Vet will be able to offer some help.

[Sally]

It certainly looks like she has been plucked, which often happens in pet shop settings, especially when there are too many birds in too small a cage. You've gotten good advice already, I just wanted to welcome you to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find articles on finch care and especially the Zebra finch. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier to answer locale-specific questions later on. Good luck with it, and please keep us posted.

[AEinarr]

Sally Thank you both for the warm welcome! I'm very glad to be here

@lovezebs I'm happy to hear your hen is doing very well, thank you all for the wonderful advice!

[AEinarr]

UPDATE: I had her separated for some time and she's healed! She's doing really well now and getting along with the others. I'll be keeping an eye on her though.

[lovezebs]

AEinarr

Very happy to hear that your girl is doing better.

[debbie276]

That's great news!!
best of luck