20-week old pullet sneezing/gaping

[silkieluver_07]

Does it cost to ask Dr. Brown a question? I thought I heard that it was $20.

 

[Wynette]

I'm not sure if there is a charge to post a question on his website; I am still getting my facts together and trying to type a synopsis that is as brief, yet has the pertinent info., as possible.

 

[pips&peeps]

The best way to find out what is wrong with your bird is to get testing done. I rely on Peter Brown alot as he is very knowlegable, but to know for sure and to treat or not treat for the correct problem is what you really need to shoot for.

There are several diseases that cause sneezing and respiratory distress.

ILT
IB
Coryza
MS
MG
New Castle and the list goes on.

I know from experience that it can be very costly to treat without a definative diagnosis. I urge you and I am sure that Peter Brown will also encourage you to get testing done on your bird.

And, it does not cost anything to ask a question on the forum.

 

[Wynette]

Thanks for your feedback, Jean. Unfortunately, taking her to the vet is not an option. The closest one is over 40 miles, and EXTREMELY expensive. I recently took a chicken with a severe crossbeak there to be worked on, and it cost me almost $150. I just do not have that kind of money, right on the heels of the crossbeak treatment.

She was doing better last night; I even had trouble feeding her because she was fighting so much. She began to eat a little on her own, too. But this morning, she appears to have backslid a bit. She's still sneezing, and doesn't appear to be interested in food. I'll post to Dr. Brown's site when I get to work, and hopefully he can give some words of advice. I'll post to let everyone know what he says.

 

[gumpsgirl]

Quote:
Please do. I'm very interested in what he has to say.

 

[Wynette]

I got a response from Doc on my post:

"It does not sound as though this is spreading to other flock members at least not rapidly.

I would suggest that you attempt to get more of the Tylan Water Soluble into this bird. Possibly mix the feed with it as follows: Take the birds regular feed and make it into a Mash, mix in some hard boiled egg and a pinch of Vitamins and Electrolytes. Using the Tylan water make this into a syringable slurry. Then take a piece of Aquarium Air Hose and fix this to the front of the syringe. Now you can fully fill the birds crop without the worry of aspirating the bird. Just put the tube all the way down the back of the birds throat and fill the Crop until it is well expanded. Do this several times a day and in between give the Tylan water free choice or fill the Crop with it as well.

I do not at this time think that this is Viral but one never knows for sure."

I don't know that I can shove a piece of aquarium air hose down her throat, but she's not had any issues with me force-feeding her with a syringe. So I'll just change up what I've been mixing for her to eat & go with this route.

 

[gumpsgirl]

I'm glad that you asked, but I'm sorry he couldn't give you a more definitive answer as to what is wrong with her. I do hope that the Tylan, feed, vitam, electrolyte mixture will bring her around and help her get over this junk.

 

[Wynette]

Thanks so much, gumpsgirl. I just hope she's okay when I get home. I've been on pins & needles wondering how she's doing...GOSH, I need to win the lottery or something so I can be home every day!

 

[Wynette]

Well, I reposted an update to Dr. Brown's website yesterday morning, but he has not been able to respond yet. I'm in a quandary about this pullet. She began eating and acting completely normal on Sunday, no more gaping, but STILL sneezing. It's driving me nuts, not knowing what to do for her. She's clucking to me when I go in to check on her, eating, drinking, dust bathing when I change her litter...I have her on her regular crumble with a tiny bit of scratch thrown on top to get her interested in eating; usually, when I do that, she's off to the races as far as eating. She's got Avia Charge 2000 in her drinking water. But, the sneezing is perplexing to me. In every other way she's acting 100% normal. I took a video of her after work last night - does anyone have any ideas on the sneezing?:

 

[Jenski]

Wynette, if you are having a dry sneeze and you still can't figure out what's going on, you might check out this article about upper respiratory fungal infections from K.J. Theodore ~

http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/page11.htm


Oxine is wicked hard to find locally, but First State Vet Supply carries it and it might be worth a shot to try misting it into the coop. I just use a co-op spray bottle on the finest mist setting; be sure to mix according to K.J.'s directions, and mist into the coop when the girls roost at night. The good thing is, if you've diagnosed wrong there's no harm done ~ and probably some good.

Just a thought ~ good luck, and let us know how things go!