All of my chickens are dying Gurgling, gasping Its ILT~UPDATE

[Chickiebaby8]

No, we only had them separated for two weeks.

I am so upset. This has been such an enormous waste of time, emotion and money.

I really don't want to get rid of the healthy ones. Dr. Brown said they can be given a vaccine.

 

[The Chicken People]

Part of bio security is never bringing new birds into your existing flock. Always quarantine them for at least thirty days. It is horror stories like this that made up my mind that I will NEVER break that golden rule again!


As far as keeping the healthy ones I am not sure..I guess I would listen to the vet but also ask about wether or not you would need to vaccinate all future birds as well! May just be easier to cut your losses and start over with a new flock? It is a hard decision! So sorry

 

[nnbreeder]

Quote:
According to the Merck Manual the incubation period for ILT is 5-12 days. If you have had the birds longer then that then they could have been infected by wild birds or other creatures that they have come in contact with. Another possibility is that they have survived the disease when young and the stress of the new home made it reoccur.

This is from the Merck Manual.

Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is an acute, highly contagious, herpesvirus infection of chickens and pheasants characterized by severe dyspnea, coughing, and rales. It can also be a subacute disease with lacrimation, tracheitis, conjunctivitis, and mild rales. It has been reported from most areas of the USA in which poultry are intensively reared, as well as from many other countries.
Clinical Findings:
In the acute form, gasping, coughing, rattling, and extension of the neck during inspiration are seen 5-12 days after natural exposure. Reduced productivity is a varying factor in laying flocks. Affected birds are anorectic and inactive. The mouth and beak may be bloodstained from the tracheal exudate. Mortality varies, but may reach 50% in adults, and is usually due to occlusion of the trachea by hemorrhage or exudate. Signs usually subside after ~2 wk, although birds may cough for 1 mo. Strains of low virulence produce little or no mortality with slight respiratory signs and lesions and a slight decrease in egg production.
After recovery, some birds remain carriers for extended periods and become a source of infection for susceptible birds. The latent virus can be reactivated under stressful conditions. Infection also may be spread mechanically. Several epidemics have been traced to the transport of birds in contaminated crates.

 

[Sillystunt]

I really would cull! I know it is hard but you have to becareful cause they will probally be carriers. Also treat the area and coop before getting more chickens. It can be in the dirt and infect other chickens brought in.

We have all had things happen with our chickens. Don't beat yourself up to bad. Next time seperate them for 30 days before putting them together.

 

[nnbreeder]

Here is some good information on ILT out of Canada. The Eastern part of Canada is now going through an outbreak of ILT and the Gov. has started a vaccination program at around fifty cents per bird. They are usung a vaccine that prevents the birds from shedding the virus after vaccination.

http://www.canadianpoultry.ca/ilt.htm

 

[Chickiebaby8]

Thanks, everyone.
I am going to try the vaccine that I got from the Chicken Doctor. It is costing us over 100 dollars for the shipping. I know it sounds foolish but I really want to try because the other birds are healthy.

 

[Qi Chicken]

Good luck to you. I can't believe the shipping on that. I have never used the chicken doctor. Is it necessary for you to get the meds from him? Could he write the prescription and you pay the consultation fee and you can get the prescription filled at your nearest pharmacy (vet?). I hope this saves your hens. You have been through such a tough time.

Anne

 

[Chickiebaby8]

It isn't his fault that the shipping is so high. We had to have it soon and since Monday is a holiday, we had to pay for 2nd day Saturday delivery. It is just bad timing. I am praying the healthy looking ones don't get it. I love them so much. I know I sound foolish. I am a city girl who moved to the country and I can't distance myself. I am trying but it is really hard not to see them all as pets.

 

[Chickiebaby8]

Quote:
Thank you for your kind words.

 

[nnbreeder]

Quote:
Don't be sorry for your feelings as you are not alone. I have seen cattlemen saddle up and check on new calves when everyone else was in the "fraidy hole" avoiding a bad storm or hand feed sick calves. Now to hand feed a sick calf you place the feed directly into the stomach one hand full at a time. Horsemen are the same way and I have seen the hardest looking cowboys tear up when talking about their favorite horse from years ago. They can easily speak of the day when family was lost but the animals always gets to them.

Living in the city has not got a thing to do with it. If you ever lose the ability to cry over your critters that is the time to sell them off and go back to the city.

There are those that are animal owners and those that are animal keepers. A keeper is special because of the love and respect that they show for the animals that depend on them. Sometimes mistakes are made and that is a part of life, please don't be hard on yourself for what has happened. The birds may not have brought this in, it could have come on your place from any number of things like wild birds or rodents.