8 month pullet with wet, wheezy breathing, puffier neck, and liquid around nose

[topochico225]

Hello!

My 8 month RIR pullet Mahalia has been walking around today with her beak slightly open. I picked her up and listened to her breathing, and it sounded wet, wheezy, and a little rattly on the deeper breaths. Her nostrils had a little bit of clear liquid around them. My son remarked that her neck looked more puffy than usual today, and it does. It's not cold here in East Louisiana (74F/23C) so she's not puffed up from the cold. She's walking around fine, but will stand still and freeze at random times. I don't have pictures of just her poop, but there was a runny diarrhea spot on our driveway while they were free ranging this morning.

What could this be?

Thanks!

 

[Eggcessive]

Is she eating and drinking okay? How does her crop feel—empty and flat, full, hard, doughy, or puffy? It should be empty in early morning before eating. Can you see any bubbles or foam in either eye? Has she been laying eggs recently?

 

[PDXJULES]

I'd separate the Chicken from the others, quick, and read about upper respiratory care. Maybe sanitize or replace any food/water dishes they shared, and add acv for the others, in case their systems are fighting what has begun showing symptoms in the other one.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you feel some other chicken’s crop to compare hers? It looks a bit full in the video. Does she seem to see okay?

 

[Eggcessive]

It might be a good idea to get someone to help hold her, and to look inside her beak for any yellow plaques or anything unusal. Also feel of her lower belly between the legs for any enlargement or swelling that could be from fluid inside the belly. Ascites or water belly can cause them to have more labored breathing. It is just good to rule out certain things. Also watch for any sneezing.

 

[topochico225]

UPDATE: She has been checked in to the LSU Vet Hospital, and they're examining her now. Thank you @Eggcessive for your help!

 

[Eggcessive]

So glad that you were able to have a vet see her. The yellow gray gunk inside the beak may be caused by a number of things. Wet fowl pox (if you have seen dry pox in your flock,) canker, yeast, or some respiratory diseases can cause that, especially in the trachea (windpipe.) Some respiratory diseases are caused by viruses (infectious bronchitis, ILT.) Others are caused by mycoplasma and bacteria (MG, coryza, ORT.) I hope they can help her. Please let us know what they think.

 

[topochico225]

So glad that you were able to have a vet see her. The yellow gray gunk inside the beak may be caused by a number of things. Wet fowl pox (if you have seen dry pox in your flock,) canker, yeast, or some respiratory diseases can cause that, especially in the trachea (windpipe.) Some respiratory diseases are caused by viruses (infectious bronchitis, ILT.) Others are caused by mycoplasma and bacteria (MG, coryza, ORT.) I hope they can help her. Please let us know what they think.

The vet said that there were yellow plaques in her mouth that ended up being yeast infections. We'll have to give her 5cc 2x a day for 5-7 days. She had no abnormal bacteria or parasites in the fecal smear. They did say there was possibly a different, whole body issue going on that they would need to do blood work for but they couldn't on the holiday weekend. She was also a little underweight, so we'll be giving her some scratch. Should we continue to isolate her until we're done with the meds?

 

[Eggcessive]

I would get her back into the coop with her flock. To have her ready for her meds, you could separate her in a dog crate with food and water. Is there any mold anywhere around the coop or run?

 

[topochico225]

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@aart @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock