2/10 Respiratory or something else? - SHE IS NOW SICK - suggestions welcome -is-there-a-chance-a-production-breed-will-never-produce-an-egg-see-pics

[mrskenmore]

No kidding. We have a large stump where a tree was recently cut down and all three of them had their heads inside of it for something. I didn't know it had a hole in it and when I went to look after they were done, I saw a standing puddle of water in it - water must have tasted like Oak. Crazy birds.

its their version of chardonnay!

 

[Bawkbok]

2/10 - A couple of days ago I noticed Goldie scratching and shaking her head. She also sneezed / coughed? Not sure I know what that sounds like. I immediately started Doxy/Tyl, 1 teaspoon per gallon of water. Today is day 3 for treatment.
There is no mucus or anything in her eyes or nose. I looked in her mouth last night, it is all clear. Today I noticed she is moving slower while ranging, but still acts normal in terms of interest, scratching and searching about. She lacks her usual energy but will speed up and react normally to the environmental sounds if alarmed. When she stands still I see her open mouth deep breathing. I can see her wattles, neck and chest sort of heave in and out. There is no sound, no stridor - I've watched those videos - no crackling noise and the head shaking / scratching has diminished since I started the treatment, but still present.
Do you think this is a progression of respiratory illness or something else? How long before the treatment creates a marked improvement?
She has never completely rebounded prior to her serious illness from last November but mostly acts like a normal chicken.
Her belly is very hard and heavy, but it has been that way for months. She still has never laid an egg.
They are eating 20% all flock, grit and OS on the side and free range for a couple of hours every AM and PM.
Any thoughts on if I should be treating her with something different?
NOTE: We have new pullets arriving in about two weeks so hoping we can get past this before then.
Thanks for any insight.

 

[mrskenmore]

2/10 - A couple of days ago I noticed Goldie scratching and shaking her head. She also sneezed / coughed? Not sure I know what that sounds like. I immediately started Doxy/Tyl, 1 teaspoon per gallon of water. Today is day 3 for treatment.
There is no mucus or anything in her eyes or nose. I looked in her mouth last night, it is all clear. Today I noticed she is moving slower while ranging, but still acts normal in terms of interest, scratching and searching about. She lacks her usual energy but will speed up and react normally to the environmental sounds if alarmed. When she stands still I see her open mouth deep breathing. I can see her wattles, neck and chest sort of heave in and out. There is no sound, no stridor - I've watched those videos - no crackling noise and the head shaking / scratching has diminished since I started the treatment, but still present.
Do you think this is a progression of respiratory illness or something else? How long before the treatment creates a marked improvement?
She has never completely rebounded prior to her serious illness from last November but mostly acts like a normal chicken.
Her belly is very hard and heavy, but it has been that way for months. She still has never laid an egg.
They are eating 20% all flock, grit and OS on the side and free range for a couple of hours every AM and PM.
Any thoughts on if I should be treating her with something different?
NOTE: We have new pullets arriving in about two weeks so hoping we can get past this before then.
Thanks for any insight.

I am sorry to hear that Goldie is not 100% her cute self. The not laying combined with the hard and heavy belly are a concern to me that could potentially be causing the respiratory issues. It leads me back to @Eggcessive and the original post of reproductive issues. Are you able to get her to a vet for further exam? They may be able to do an ultrasound on her.

 

[Bawkbok]

I am sorry to hear that Goldie is not 100% her cute self. The not laying combined with the hard and heavy belly are a concern to me that could potentially be causing the respiratory issues. It leads me back to @Eggcessive and the original post of reproductive issues. Are you able to get her to a vet for further exam? They may be able to do an ultrasound on her.

No poultry vets in this entire county. I called mine during the last illness to "beg" if they would see her - nope.
There is one vet an hour away who is a bird vet - I get the sense from the website they really don't see chickens. Seems more of a canary / parrot vet.
I fear she is just so fubar and is already a year old that this may be just one more thing that may ultimately take her down; a cumulative affect. Working hard to keep her alive and healthy just to be a chicken. She is just so dang sweet and gentle to boot.

 

[mrskenmore]

No poultry vets in this entire county. I called mine during the last illness to "beg" if they would see her - nope.
There is one vet an hour away who is a bird vet - I get the sense from the website they really don't see chickens. Seems more of a canary / parrot vet.
I fear she is just so fubar and is already a year old that this may be just one more thing that may ultimately take her down; a cumulative affect. Working hard to keep her alive and healthy just to be a chicken. She is just so dang sweet and gentle to boot.

I think you are doing a GREAT job and Goldie and her flock mates are lucky to have you.

If you don't have a poultry vet I wouldn't recommend a vet that doesn't see chickens as you typically know more about chickens than they do sadly.

She may have a bit of fluid in the lungs if it is still respiratory and will take time for her body to absorb. My vet typically prescribes antibiotics which I believe the treatment you are providing in her water is that correct?

Keep up the treatment and keep an eye on her, my husband and I like to let them be chickens as much as possible and only interfere when they would be worse in the situation they are in.

If she is with her flock foraging and eating, drinking and pooping normally I would say you are doing all you can for her.

Keep up the great work; I am sure you will get more people to chime in here to help Goldie further

 

[WingItRanch]

2/10 - A couple of days ago I noticed Goldie scratching and shaking her head. She also sneezed / coughed? Not sure I know what that sounds like. I immediately started Doxy/Tyl, 1 teaspoon per gallon of water. Today is day 3 for treatment.
There is no mucus or anything in her eyes or nose. I looked in her mouth last night, it is all clear. Today I noticed she is moving slower while ranging, but still acts normal in terms of interest, scratching and searching about. She lacks her usual energy but will speed up and react normally to the environmental sounds if alarmed. When she stands still I see her open mouth deep breathing. I can see her wattles, neck and chest sort of heave in and out. There is no sound, no stridor - I've watched those videos - no crackling noise and the head shaking / scratching has diminished since I started the treatment, but still present.
Do you think this is a progression of respiratory illness or something else? How long before the treatment creates a marked improvement?
She has never completely rebounded prior to her serious illness from last November but mostly acts like a normal chicken.
Her belly is very hard and heavy, but it has been that way for months. She still has never laid an egg.
They are eating 20% all flock, grit and OS on the side and free range for a couple of hours every AM and PM.
Any thoughts on if I should be treating her with something different?
NOTE: We have new pullets arriving in about two weeks so hoping we can get past this before then.
Thanks for any insight.

Have you noticed any bubbles in her eyes? I had a bout of respiratory illness in my flock with sneezing. Let me see if I can link the advice I got from our Educators.
Post in thread 'Is there any hope? Mycoplasmosis' https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/is-there-any-hope-mycoplasmosis.1635565/post-27944613

 

[Bawkbok]

I think you are doing a GREAT job and Goldie and her flock mates are lucky to have you.

If you don't have a poultry vet I wouldn't recommend a vet that doesn't see chickens as you typically know more about chickens than they do sadly.

She may have a bit of fluid in the lungs if it is still respiratory and will take time for her body to absorb. My vet typically prescribes antibiotics which I believe the treatment you are providing in her water is that correct?

Keep up the treatment and keep an eye on her, my husband and I like to let them be chickens as much as possible and only interfere when they would be worse in the situation they are in.

If she is with her flock foraging and eating, drinking and pooping normally I would say you are doing all you can for her.

Keep up the great work; I am sure you will get more people to chime in here to help Goldie further

Thank you for these kind words. So heartwarming.
We are giving Doxy-Tyl powder in water daily, refreshed twice, which is 40g Tylosin and 10g Doxycycline for 5-7 days. I plan on going the 7 days.

She is eating, drinking, foraging, pooping all normally - hanging out with her only bud now, talks to me and responds. Just seems to have a hard time breathing.

I also have Amoxicillin but I thought the powder might be more powerful. I may follow up the powder treatment with Amoxicillin if she is still struggling in a few days.

I don't hear any gurgling or noise at all while she breaths, just slow open mouth breathing, like she is having a hard time taking in air.
This just started last week when the weather changed to nasty wet very dense fog overnight and in the mornings until about 10 AM when it burns off and then bright full on sun with little breeze high to 80 in the afternoons. The coop is warm and dry so I know she's not getting chilled from the dense air.

Thanks for your response.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry that she is having more problems breathing. She doesn’t have any signs of a bacterial respiratory infection. Usually they will have the swollen eyelid or face, foamy or gunky eye, or thick nasal drainage. She could have a virus such as infectious bronchitis, or just be showing signs of irritation or dust/dander, or her reproductive problem could be causing fluid or air sacculitis. I’m not a vet, just a retired RN and chicken keeper.

 

[Bawkbok]

Sorry that she is having more problems breathing. She doesn’t have any signs of a bacterial respiratory infection. Usually they will have the swollen eyelid or face, foamy or gunky eye, or thick nasal drainage. She could have a virus such as infectious bronchitis, or just be showing signs of irritation or dust/dander, or her reproductive problem could be causing fluid or air sacculitis. I’m not a vet, just a retired RN and chicken keeper.

I was not familiar with air sacculitis and on further research - and reading more here - she presents with all the clinical signs. My plan is to complete the course of antibiotics and provide supportive care. Stress is pretty high with the loss of her best bud so I can't do anything about that. I will allow her to be a chicken for as long as she seems able realizing her breathing may become so labored I will have to take necessary action. Thank you for your reply and insight.

 

[mrskenmore]

It sounds like you are doing a great job treating her and that she is living her best possible chicken life for her. Just keep doing what you are doing. Also, never under estimate the power of love, green grass and sunshine. I found they have done wonders for many a hen.

Please continue to keep us posted on Goldie's progress and her flock mates