Can chickens have asthma?

[BlueMoon]

Button, my little Nankin Bantam, is just not getting better. She's been sneezing since October. We put her into the chicken infirmary about ten days ago - she was too hot, her left eye gets covered in mucus and is stuck shut, she's had rattling breathing and her right naze us crusted over. Her appetite and poos are ok and she's as sweet as ever.

So - I've given her Polyvisol, lots of treats, tried crushed baby aspirin mixed in with her food (teeny bit) and now I have Vick's on her beak - and I think i just saw her have something similar to an asthma attack (I've had asthma since I was a baby).

Is that possible? Or, what could be a chicken equivalent to asthma?

 

[dlhunicorn]

stop using the vicks....birds are often sensitive to the camphor in it. What type of bedding do you use? Keep up the humidity in the area she is.
Could be MG...get the appropriate med for that and treat.

 

[BlueMoon]

She's on hay, like the rest of the chickens in the infirmary. In the coop, they're on pine shavings. It's fairly humid in there too, but will try to add more.

The Vick's will stop, but did seem to help her relax and breathe easier as well as loosen the mucus crusted around her nares.

What is MG?

Thank you so much - as always

 

[hencackle]

MG = Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection that is responsible for CRD (chronic respiratory disease and infectious sinusitis

Mycoplasmas are "naked" bacteria, they lack cell walls. Here is a link to Merk's Veterinary Manual regarding MG click here

First State Veterinary Supply is now selling Gallimycin used to treat MG, CRD, & coryza click here

 

[BlueMoon]

Thanks so much. Things went from bad to worse this evening when my golden retriever remembered he was a bird dog. Aside from Button being freaked out and drool soaked, I can't tell if there's any internal damage. Her mobility is reduced - she's sitting on my lap whilst I type. Only a few sneezes and a bit of rattling, but not as bad as she's been.

If she makes it through the night, we'll assume it's MG. Her symptoms mostly match the descriptions. thank you all so much - I've been baffled by this for months.

 

[hencackle]

Sending prayers your way for your chicken. Keep us posted!