Chick fading away? Panting and thin.....

[Godiva]

I tried this on another thread but had no responses... So PLEASE someone help! I have a 4 week old buff orpington chick that has not been well for a few days now (and I think actually longer without me noticing) I noticed she was standing around all fluffed up and seemed listless. When I picked her up I noticed a sound each time she breathed - kind of like a bubble popping... She is eating (unmedicated chick 'start and grow' same as everyone else) and drinking and pooping (everything looks normal there). She has no energy, still fluffed out all the time, just about never lays down, is very thin (her keel is sticking just about through her skin!!). All the other chicks look fine and are WAY bigger than her now. I have separated her since she was not getting any rest and I was concerned that she was infectious. But now I am wondering if she maybe has some kind of malabsorption issue and as a result of poor nutrition has got pneumonia or something like that? I am just guessing here - never had a sick chick before (but am an R/N so am trying to make a semi educated guess here)She has no secretions, no other symptoms...

Do you think there is any hope for this chick? Do you think antibiotics could help? And if so which one and where do I get it? Any good ideas? Or would it be kinder to put her out of her misery? I really need some feedback here folks.... will someone please answer me? I hate seeing this little one puffing away and looking so miserable but I also hate to just dispose of her without trying at least to save her especially if it could be solved relatively easily.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I have no idea how to help...there maybe something going on inside her that is just not right meaning its not something that can be fixed by meds...Hoping a bump with this will have others to chime in and give you their opinions...

 

[bionic_chicken]

I'm so sorry for your sick chick. Do you have Avia Charge 2000? It is so important, especially for a chick with problems absorbing nutrients. You can get it online from Murray McMurray or Strombergs, and have it overnighted. In the meantime, she may really need electrolytes. Durvet is a recommended brand. If you don't have any, unflavored Pedialyte is a substitute. Have you gently felt her crop? Is it hard, soft, empty? I would really recommend PMing dlhunicorn. She's an expert. Good luck. I hope your baby makes it. Prayers are headed your way.

 

[Godiva]

Thank you so much for responding!!! I didn't notice her crop - I was so shocked when I felt how extremely thin she was. She is eating.... I don't have Avia charge but I do have the McMurray Quikchik vitamin and electrolyte supplement in her water. All my chicks love their greens and she is no exception - only time she brightens up at all. I will try dlhunicorn in the am if the chick is still with us

and will check the crop too. I don't really like walking down to the workshop after everything is off for the night unless I really have to... and DH is already in bed. Leftovers from the South African life where it just isn't safe even in the day...

 

[stilwellchick]

Are they getting any chick grit since they are eating foods other than the starter?

 

[dlhunicorn]

I would get a faecal and test for cocci and worms ...cocci would be the most likely cnadidate tho as it is so very common
I wouldnt offer greens as treats but stick to the starter (you can add aviacharge 2000 to just enough cooked-in-water oatmeal to make the starter clump together) ...

 

[Godiva]

She is still with us today, looking a touch more energetic but still panting and fluffed up. I checked her crop and it feels soft, not enlarged that I could tell and she showed no discomfort either. Still eating, pooping and drinking 'normally' as far as I can tell.

 

[Godiva]

She is still with us today, looking a touch more energetic but still panting and fluffed up. I checked her crop and it feels soft, not enlarged that I could tell and she showed no discomfort either. Still eating, pooping and drinking 'normally' as far as I can tell.

 

[Godiva]

Why would she have that strange sound with her breathing if she has cocci? Just wondering.... I thought the cocci was GI related... am I wrong on that? I will stop the greens for now. Yes she has grit (just a tiny bit of the chick grit sprinkled on her food) I will order some of the aviacharge 2000 tonight - hopefully it will help. Do all vets do faecals for cocci? I do live in the country so I guess there is more chance of them doing it... Thanks for the answers folks...

 

[dlhunicorn]

yes they do... it might be a combination of things but cocci is so very common and GI disorders are common source of crop stasis