Chick passed away, any potential causes?

[Fritzen]

One of my chicks passed away yesterday, here's the full story:

I returned home from school to find it laying on the floor. At first, I suspected it wasn't breathing, but when I picked it up, I noticed it was still breathing and was doing something odd; it seemed to be gagging, struggling to breathe, or something else?
Basically, it would open it's mouth and close it periodically. It responded to my touch, albeit unable to walk or really coordinate. It's movements were very sporadic and strange, like it was struggling to orientate itself. It's eyes were closed the entire time. I carried it outside into the partial sun by advice from my friend, and tried to give her some water. She would drink the water, but continued doing the strange 'gag' thing, eyes still closed, movement still sporadic.
I took her back inside after a little while and held her close to me. She passed in my arms, which was very sad, but I'm glad I got to be with her for her last moments.
She never opened her eyes the entire time.

Is there some kind of disease that could be the cause of this? I've looked everywhere, but haven't been able to find anything substantial.

It was very sudden, and she was showing no symptoms of distress or deteriorating health the day before when I got her. She was doing just as well as all the others, but something must've happened? I'm worried for my other chicks and cleaned out their brooder just in case.

Has anyone had something similar happen? Or does someone think they know what the cause of this is?

 

[DobieLover]

Has anyone had something similar happen? Or does someone think they know what the cause of this is?

Yes, I've had this happen several times in shipped chicks. Sometimes a weak chick will not survive the stress from being shipped. Were your chicks shipped?
It is basically failure to thrive. Sorry for your loss.
The others should be fine if all are very active and eating, drinking and pooping. If any are lagging or staying under or near the heat source, they are struggling.

 

[theoldchick]

What you are describing is agonal breathing. It's the body's last ditch effort to get oxygen to the brain. It's heartbreaking when you lose a chick without knowing why. As mentioned failure to thrive is usually the reason given. This usually occurs when there is something internally wrong with the chick that we can't see. It's usually involves the heart being malformed. Make sure your other chicks are warm and active with plenty of food and water available to them. Sorry for your loss.

 

[Fritzen]

Yes, I've had this happen several times in shipped chicks. Sometimes a weak chick will not survive the stress from being shipped. Were your chicks shipped?
It is basically failure to thrive. Sorry for your loss.
The others should be fine if all are very active and eating, drinking and pooping. If any are lagging or staying under or near the heat source, they are struggling.

Yes, they were shipped to the store I purchased them from. It's upsetting, but I know it happens. Thank you for your condolences.

What you are describing is agonal breathing. It's the body's last ditch effort to get oxygen to the brain. It's heartbreaking when you lose a chick without knowing why. As mentioned failure to thrive is usually the reason given. This usually occurs when there is something internally wrong with the chick that we can't see. It's usually involves the heart being malformed. Make sure your other chicks are warm and active with plenty of food and water available to them. Sorry for your loss.

The rest of my chicks are doing very well, I hope everything goes smoothly from this point onwards. Thank you both for explaining!