20-week old pullet sneezing/gaping

[Wynette]

Wow - those are awesome prices for the Oxine, Cutler's has it at $33.99 a gallon. I'll save these links. Thanks so much, Chickenlady.

I'm not sure on the fogging of Oxine/water, Chickenmonk. I suppose it would be worth a try, but I don't think it's supposed to be a continuously breathed in mist...I think they are supposed to breathe it in maybe a few breaths and that's it. The spray bottle I am using isn't working so well; even on the finest mist setting, it's still not small enough for her to breathe it in. I'm still doing it, just in case, though.

My pullet hasn't been on the Tylan for about a week now. Just Avia Charge2000 in her drinking water, and her regular feed, which she is not eating. She had 2 days that she was eating well on her own, then she stopped again. So, I've been hand feeding her 3-4 tims a day. I am now wondering if she's beginning to "shut down," because her crop isn't emptying nearly as quickly as it should be. I had been able to get 10-12 syringe fulls of slurry (made from filtered water, her regular feed, yogurt, and vitamins/electrolytes and then blended in my blender really well) per feeding, yesterday, I was only able to get in 4-5 each feeding. I massaged her crop some this morning, which she tolerates just fine. I don't know what it could be as to why her crop's not emptying well. I put a piece of watermelon in her feed dish this a.m., and she pecked at it and I found it on the floor (part of it) later, so she's definitely interested in treats...

My hope is that she hangs in there until the new med (Gallimycin) gets here. Should be here today or tomorrow, then I'll made sure she gets plenty of that. If the Gallimycin doens't work, I think I need to call it quits and euthanize her, as much as I hate to. She's been separated for 3 weeks now, and I know she's depressed. It's not fair of me to keep hand feeding her and "keep her alive."

Yes, the stress of having a sick bird that you're working with is rough. I'm not sleeping well, have been having horrible dreams - it's tough when you work full time and have lots of other responsibilities, too. Anyhow, you guys have all been so great with your feedback and words of encouragement - I know I wouldn't have continued trying if it weren't for each and every one of you...so, a BIG THANK YOU to you all!

 

[jmc]

Blessings, Wynette

 

[Jenski]

Quote:
Jenski, if you are still plugged into this thread, may I ask, what on earth is a 'co-op spray bottle'?

It sounds like using Oxine has worked for you, maybe?

Also, measuring it to exactly 6 POINT FIVE oz. Household measuring cups here have 4,5,6,7,8 oz. so I guess to get 6 POINT FIVE oz. I'll just go between the 6 and the 7.
OR IS IT ADVISABLE TO BUY A SPECIAL MEASURING CUP--some super-detailed, quasi-scientific thing? I hope not. If one is a tad over, hopefully this wouldn't hurt.

I hope I'm not h-jing this thread, but I believe this is a relevant question for anyone following.

Sorry to take so long getting back ~ this thread has certainly grown, lol!

RE. Oxine ~

Dilution - - for the 2% Oxine, I use K.J. Theodore's standard fogging dilution (WHICH IS MORE DILUTED THAN A SURFACE DISINFECTANT DILUTION - be careful there) of the 6.5 ounces Oxine per gallon of water. Yes, I just use a household measuring cup and get between the 6 and 7 ounce marks.

For the bottle - - in my local co-op horse section I found a plastic spray bottle (probably for fly spray, but you buy them empty). I tested it out with water, and it gets a really fine mist if you set it right.

For the frequency of misting - - I again use Ms. Theodore's recommendation for respiratory issues - - "every other day for a week - OR - up to 3 times per day for very severe cases." For routine maintenance - - "once a week as part of [their] preventative routine."

For the actual application - - I just open the rear coop door at bedtime and shoot a few quick mists near the ceiling, across the width of the coop and allow it to settle over the hens.

I also use in lieu of bleach to clean my equipment, feeders and waterers.

** Ed. to add that if you use Oxine or any other antibacterial or antibiotic, it is very important to also use a good probiotic supplement for your chickens, as Oxine kills beneficial as well as harmful bacteria. I use Avia Charge 2000 as well as Immuno Charge on a rotating basis in my hens' water supply. Both are from MM Hatchery. **

Hope that helps!

 

[gumpsgirl]

Hey Wynette! I'm just now having time to catch up on your thread. I really hate that she isn't any better yet. I was hoping to read better news.

I see where chickenlady found the Oxine for you on Amazon. It is sold there through Revival Animal Health. That is who I bought mine from and was the best price with shipping I could find online. I also wanted to tell you that I ordered the Gallamycin from www.jefferslivestock.com They were the best priced for that. The poultry vet at VA Tech that helped me out so much, along with Doc. Brown suggested that I keep my chicks and chickens on the Gallamycin for 10 to 14 days. I think with how persistent this illness has been, you need to do the 14 days. It is 1 tsp. to 1 gallon of water. I mixed mine fresh every day, but had a lot of birds that I was treating at the same time. In your situation, I would mix it daily by the quart (1/4 tsp. Gallamycin to 1 qt. water). I'm so sorry that your hen is still sick. I hope she gets better this time around.

 

[Wynette]

gumpsgirls, I've already got the Oxine, and I decided or order the Gallimycin through First State Vet, since doc Brown has been giving me free advice. It's higher priced, but I sorta feel I owe that to him.

Holy cow - leaving her on it for 2 full weeks? Man...and it's getting cooler out now, so I'm doubtful she'd drink enough on her own...that means I'll have to be running home for lunch each day to hand-feed. OH! I'll be paying for it at the pump!! Oh well. She's such a sweetheart of a bird, she's worth it.

She's getting depressed, I think, from being separated for so long (almost 3 weeks now). Yesterday, I noticed her crop's not emptying very quickly. She went through that a week ago, too. I'm not sure what to think about it, and am hoping it's not a sign that her organs are beginning to shut down or something. She seems good otherwise. She's not "talking" to me when I go see her any more, and stopped eating on her own, again, too. I'm REALLY hoping that this med will make her feel better enough to begin eating again and make a full recovery! If it doens't work, Doc Brown graciously offered to send something else along for me to try at no charge, as he knows I've been battling this for so long. But, I'll have to make a decision on how long to continue trying things if the Gallimycin doens't work.

Thanks for your feedback! Crossed fingers that my little splash (I haven't named her....don't want to, in case she doesn't make it) gets better with the Gallimycin!

How long was it before yours began to feel better with the Gallimycin, Gumpsgirl?

 

[gumpsgirl]

Quote:
It took about 2 or 3 days, I can't remember exactly but it was fairly quick. You do have to realize that I'm not talking about them making a complete recovery in that amount of time, but I did notice that they started to perk up around that time frame.

I understand about ordering it from the doc. If I hadn't needed the vaccine and the Gallamycin, I would have ordered it from him also. Their shipping on the vaccines would have killed my pocket book though! That's why I went with the other company. I hope this works for you.

 

[gumpsgirl]

Hey Wynette! I was able to talk to Dr. Pierson about the Gallimycin. Let me first tell you who this vet is. He is the head vet in the poultry science dept. at Virginia Tech, which is a veterinarian school. He teaches as well as handles poultry cases from all over VA. With that in mind and knowing his backround, I now want to give you the advice he gave to me although it does contradict what Dr. Brown told you. He said that Gallimycin is actually one of the few approved antibiotics for egg laying hens. It is even used in commercial layers through their feed. He did recommend that you give the hens a full clutch cycle to rid themselves of the antibiotic plus a few days after you discontinue the Gallimycin. So it would be 12 days and then the eggs will be fine to eat. I hope this answers your question about the Gallimycin. As much as I like Dr. Brown, value his opinions, and appreciate his advice and help, I personally would also take into consideration Dr. Pierson's advice and knowledge, since he is constantly being updated on the new treatments, etc...

 

[Wynette]

Wow - that's excellent info. to have, Stacey! Thanks so very much for making the call to Dr. Pierson, and for letting us all know. Guess I'll make the decision on her eggs IF she gets well, and IF she lays eggs some day! She's 22 weeks this week.

So I have a small update on her...I hate to be too awfully optimistic and "count my chickens," but she was pecking around at her feed this morning when I went out to force feed her at 6 a.m.! She hasn't eaten on her own in over a week; I've been force-feeding her 3-4 times a day. I began the Gallimycin Monday night at 6 p.m., so it was a day and one-half before I noticed any improvement. She's still sneezing, and still not "talking" to me like she was when she was feeling better before, but I'm hopeful this is the beginning of recovery for her!

 

[tiki244]

Wynette, I hope she gets better soon on the gallimycin.

 

[Wynette]

Thanks, Kris - and thanks for the hugs! I've put so much time into this little girl, it's funny...I feel like I can recognize every last little feather, scale on her legs, etc. She's a sweetheart, but she's really fighting with the syringe feedings now. I hope that's a good thing!