My parrot cichlid has a black, swollen, bulging eye. What's wrong?

Thanks for reaching out about Tico. A problem is not visible on the picture. Ocular infections, corneal traumas, or upper respiratory infections can be causes. A veterinary visit is needed to diagnose the problems. Good luck.

Unfortunately, we cannot prescribe medications over the internet without an in-person exam. If the eye is very swollen and has something stuck in it, it is best to seek veterinary care in person. They can examine the eye and prescribe any medications or treatments as needed. Until you can get to the vet, moving Aci to a hospital cage away from other birds to prevent getting picked on may help, as well as using a clean washcloth to remove any debris gently until the eye can be treated.

Thanks for reaching out about your cichlid and including photos. This is probably not an abscess that can be treated with simple antibiotics. A tumor or possibly a fractured mandible bone causing inflammation. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess, possibly requiring radiographs. If it can not open the mouth and can't eat, then it will starve. Check and correct water quality for pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Pristine water quality will be needed to assist in recovery. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about your fish. Dermatitis can be caused by poor water quality, bacterial infections and parasitic infestations. Checking water quality first, is the easiest. Correct any concerns. A skin scrape and microscopic examination is needed to diagnose parasites, as different parasites require different treatments. Antibiotics would be needed to treat a bacterial infection. Seek an examination with an aquatic veterinarian. Good luck.

I think it's best to return to your avian veterinarian or even seek out an ophthalmologist (eye) specialist to see if the eyes can be saved or safely removed. They may be able to treat the remaining eye so that it can be saved, or suggest additional treatment to try and get Paco feeling better.

Thanks for reaching out about Fugi. Swollen sides of the face could be an abscess, cyst, sinus infection or ruptured air sac, just to list a few. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Try placing a warm moistened washcloth to the swelling for 3-5 minutes to see if this helps. Good luck.

Rio appears to have an injury to the eyelid, which may explain why he is not opening his eye. This can result in swelling and discharge, which may be the liquid you are seeing from the eye. I am unable to see the eyeball itself, so I am unable to determine whether that is injured or not. I would recommend that you take him to see a veterinarian - your vet can look at the eyelids to determine if there is an injury there, and then can look at the eye itself to ensure that it hasn't been damaged in any way. They may prescribe antibiotics to control or prevent any infection, and pain-relieving anti-inflammatory medications. Please do not give Rio any human medications as they can be harmful to our feathered friends.