20-week old pullet sneezing/gaping

[Wynette]

Thanks so much. Yes, I'm disappointed that she's not getting better, too. I printed off & read a bunch of what Diana posted...it's so over my head! I marked a few things that sounded like the symptoms may match, and faxed it to my vet. Hoping to hear back from her this a.m. on that. Meantime, I started nasal flushes with Tylan powder last night. I also received my Preval Spray Gun last night, and brought it to work today to read the instructions. I'll start that tonight with the Oxine water. I'm pulling out ALL the stops (that I know of), and will do as much as I possibly can for Splash this week; if she's not better by this weekend, I think it's time to euthanize her. Geeze. I still can't type that without tearing up. Wish I wasn't such a weenie!

 

[gumpsgirl]

Any news from the vet yet? I have fingers and toes crossed that Splash will get better. I really do hate this for you.

 

[Wynette]

I'm uncomfortable calling the vet's office, after having faxed info. from somewhere else. I'm going to wait until tomorrow to call. I don't want to give up on her!

 

[gumpsgirl]

I completely understand where you're coming from, Wynette! I would go ahead and give her a call today and just explain to her that you are not trying to undermine her knowledge in any way, but just wanted to get her opinion on what she thought about trying something different since the medication and treatment she prescribed for you chicken aren't working. Maybe you could even put it like, "I haven't seen any improvement in my chicken and I really would like to save her. Did you get a chance to look at the material I faxed to you yesterday? What's your opinion on it? Do you think it would hurt to try a different treatment at this point?" That way she doesn't get the impression that you are trying to teach her and tell her how to treat your chicken.

Good luck and post what you find out!

 

[Wynette]

Morning. I called late yesterday afternoon, and the receptionist put me on hold to check with the vet; when she got back on the line, she said doc hadn't had a chance to look everything over to form an opinion, but that I should be hearing from her today.

Splash acts exactly the same, but interestingly, she's been eating more of the formula I've concocted. I'm typically able to get 8-10 syringe fulls down her (the syringe is 5ml), but yesterday and today (3 feedings in a row now), I've been able to get 10-12 syringe fulls down per feeding. She's very thin, doc said, so I've been sort of pushing more down her...but, when she's full, she begins to shake her head quite a bit, and it's taking more syringe fulls before she begins that. Maybe a good sign? If nothing else, it should help give her a bit more energy maybe.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Sometimes they come back very slowly, Wynnette. Let us know what the vet says today.

 

[Wynette]

Okay, so I just heard back from the vet. She said she poured through all the info. I sent her (I faxed her dlhunicorn's post, and the documents from the links, too), and she is recommending discontinuing the Clandimycin and starting Splash on Amoxicillin and Phlagyl (I'm probably really butchering the spellings here). She said this is the next thing to try, according to what she read and researched. She ALSO said if THIS stuff doens't work, they are trying paromamycin (again, spelling is most likely wrong) if it's cryptosporidium, which seems to be helping. The crypto. is something they find post-mortem, so treating it is often times unsuccessful. She also said she's not even sure where to get the paromamycin, as she's never used it, but she'll find it if we need it.

I'll pick up the new meds tomorrow; discontinue the clandimycin tonight, and give Splash yogurt with powdered milk as dlhunicorn recommends. May do this for 2 days before starting new treatment to give her a break. Thoughts?

 

[gumpsgirl]

Personally I wouldn't wait the 2 days, Wynette, unless the vet recommends you doing so. Time is of the essence here. You need to get that girl better. It wouldn't hurt a thing to give your Splash the yogurt/powder milk mixture while she's on the antibiotic. Every time I give my kids antibiotics, they go on yogurt to help keep the good bacteria up. Ask the vet what she thinks if you don't feel comfortable doing the two together. Fingers are crossed here that Splash will FINALLY get over this mess!

 

[jmc]

Wynette, just to chime in that neither you nor our little splash aren't forgotten. You are really pouring yourself out over this little one!

And I've changed my mind: I think maybe YOU should be called 'Wonder Woman'

Peace and comfort

edited to say: And Stacey (if I may use your 'proper' name), you are to be commended for your kindness. Not that any commendation from me means anything! But still..........

 

[Wynette]

You guys are so helpful, comforting, and supportive! I know I wouldn't be trying so hard if, in part, you guys weren't there rooting me on!

I didn't wait to start the new meds, per Stacey's recommendation. Began them Thursday evening, so tonght at 6 p.m. is 4 full days. She's the same. I now am noticing a new symptom, which is that when she sneezes, there's a small amount of sticky mucous on her beak (nostrils). It's clear. But, she's acting completely the same, and is tolerating the feedings and new meds well. Still not eating. During the week, I get up at 2 a.m. to get an extra feeding in, because she has to go 12 full hours without food while I'm at work. This way, I'm sort of switching her night & day, so to speak.

I also updated Doc Brown on her status, and he sent a different med to try. I don't recall what it is right now (it's at home), but I'll post it tomorrow & look into that med then. I'm going to go at least 8-9 days with the current meds (supposed to be a 14 day cycle), and if I don't see improvement, I may discontinue at day 10 and begin the meds doc Brown sent. That'll be it. If that doesn't work, I'll cull.

I'm doing as much as I can for this sweet little girl, and DH is even asking each day how she's doing (he's typically not interested in my chicken world). But, I think I'm getting to a place where I feel that I can cull if I have to, and know that I did absolutely everything I could for her. BUT - hopefully, we won't get there!

Thanks, all, I know I keep saying it, but my chicken world is not complete without you all!!