Aspiration & antibiotic question

[GallusGal]

I was just at TSC and they had in a new shipment of chickens. One of the chicks had somehow flipped over on its back in the waterer and looked like he was drowned to death. I pulled him out and he was, surprisingly, alive but had badly aspirated. I held him upside-down and gently patted him on the back, watched all of the water and mucous pour out until he could finally breathe. He was shiverring and sneezing a bit, but soon opened his eyes and started breathing more normally. They gave him to me since pneumonia is very common following aspiration.

I know in mammal rehab, we often give a preventive course of antibiotics following aspiration. Is the same true of chickens, and if yes, what would be most effective in this case? I have septra, oxytetracycline, penicillin, and baytril. He is currently under a heat lamp and aside from seeing a bit exhausted is eating and drinking well.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What a wonderful thing you did. and congrats on the new baby, I really don't know about the meds but I have seen penicillin talked about on here quite a bit. I sure hope the little one makes it, you can along just at the right time.. Best of luck.

 

[GallusGal]

Thanks for the well wishes. I really hope s/he makes it; such a cute little bird! S/he has been eating, drinking, and acting well, but the sound of the chirps is definitely a bit hoarse.

 

[GallusGal]

No one? Though she's still acting well, she did not eat as much today and that concerns me. I found a few things in the formulary but if anyone is experienced I'd still like to know which would be BEST.