Acute Breathing difficulty, wheezing, open mouth, sneezing, blue comb

[Farmer Grover]

I just had one of my 7 month old Ameraucana pullets showing signs of difficulty breathing. She seemed normal a day ago, but I noticed her mouth open and a wheezing sound coming from her. She also sneezed as I palpated her neck up and down. Almost as if there was something in her throat blocking her airway. Her comb was very purple/blue and I found her dead about 3 hours after palpating her neck. Sad. None of the other chickens are showing any sign of illness or stress. Any ideas of what it could have been? Onset was very fast and death was within a day and a half of first signs of breathing distress.

 

[kkowa]

It sounds like Avian influenza. though it amy not be but this is what it sounds like to me
signs:

• ruffled feathers
• soft-shelled eggs
• depression and droopiness
• sudden drop in egg production
• loss of appetite
• cyanosis (purplish-blue coloring) of wattles and comb
• edema and swelling of head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
• diarrhea
• blood-tinged discharge from nostrils
• incoordination, including loss of ability to walk and stand
• pin-point hemorrhages (most easily seen on the feet and shanks)
• respiratory distress
• increased death losses in a flock

The disease also can be easily spread by people and equipment contaminated with avian influenza virus. Avian influenza viruses can be transmitted on contaminated shoes, clothing, crates, egg flats, egg cases, vehicles, and other equipment. Any object located on an infected poultry farm must be considered contaminated and should be completely cleaned and disinfected before it is moved from that premises.
Treatment:
There is no effective treatment for avian influenza. However, good husbandry, proper nutrition, and broad spectrum antibiotics may reduce losses from secondary infections. It must be remembered that recovered flocks continue to intermittently shed the virus.
All buildings should be cleaned and disinfected after an infected flock is removed. The poultry litter or manure should be composted before application to cultivated lands.

 

[Oliveroblong]

Farmer Grover, I am so sorry to hear about your chicken. In addition to what kkowa has offered you, I've been doing some research today and found some very useful links that help with descriptions of various common poultry diseases so that you can keep an eye on your remaining flock. Hope it helps, and good luck

http://www.lah.de/Diseases.87.0.html?&L=rqllzjsppwzhde
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PS044#