Araucana keeps relapsing with respiratory issues

[Lochloosachicks]

My 6 month old Araucana has had a respiratory illness going on her 3rd time in a couple of months. I've given .5ml injections of oxytetracyline once daily for 3 days. She clears up and then starts showing symptoms again about 2 weeks later. I haven't treated her yet this time. She's gasping, sounding wheezing again and staying off by herself. Should I treat her again or try a different method?

 

[BYCforlife]

I am not sure. That's strange that she's getting it back so often. How's your coop and run?

 

[Lochloosachicks]

We have an 8x12 coop and they free range all over my yard during the day. I have 23 chickens, she's the only one with symptoms. I'm wondering if maybe I should have given her a stronger dose or something different. Maybe she never quite get rid of it. I'm not that familiar with medicating so I'm not sure what my other options are.

 

[KariKnitsNPurls]

I agree-it could be something environmental.
Could her immune system be weak to the infection. Usually if an antibiotic works but the infection reoccurs then a longer treatment period or different antibiotic is in order.

 

[Lochloosachicks]

Can I give her that medication for a longer period of time? Maybe 5 days? I would like to treat it more aggressively but not sure of my options.

 

[Tlmcq]

I would treat longer vs going with higher dose...sounds like she's never completely gotten over it. Then when meds are stopped it builds back up again. Maybe add some probiotics and vitamin supplement to try and boost her immune system also. You could also try giving her some plantain, dandelion greens and oregano to help boost her own system in addition to antibiotics

 

[Lochloosachicks]

Okay, I treated her for 5 days and it hasn't even been a week and symptoms are coming back. She was great by day 5 and now she's gurgling/coughing again. Should I start medicating again?

 

[Eggcessive]

It is probably time to stop the oxytetracycline. I am not even sure of the dosage since it is not a good drug to inject into muscle tissue, since it can cause damage. I would see a vet, or get some Tylan 50 injectable--but only use it orally. Dosage is 0.2 ml per pound, given 2-3 times daily orally for 5 days. Does she sneeze or cough, or have any swelling around eyes or bubbly drainage in eyes? She could have MG which may respond to the antibiotics, but she also could have a virus. Most respiratory diseases in chickens are chronic and come back when stressed. Respiratory diseases can take weeks or months in some cases to go away.

 

[KariKnitsNPurls]

I agree with above post.
What your doing isn’t working. Take her to an avian vet.
They Can test her culture for the right bacteria and give her the right antibiotic with the correct dosage. You may have developed a resistant bacteria.

 

[Eggcessive]

Some respiratory diseases can be complicated by air sacculitis, where E.coli bacteria can become advantageous and spread throughout the body. Fungal diseases such as aspergillosis can cause chronic problems, and will not respond to antibiotics. Vets can prescribe stronger antibiotics, but Tylan 50 injectable is available in feed stores. Here is a good link to read, and look at mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG,) coryza, infectious bronchitis, ILT, and aspergillosis especially:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044