Chicken sneezing and very prominent wheeze

[MatthewMChickens]

Hi everyone

My ~2yo Australorp has had periodic sneezing and a wheeze for the last two days. She is otherwise fine, eats and drinks well and still plays in the dirt.
Based on my research it seems to most likely be a bacterial infection of the lungs.

The only antibiotic I have access to without a prescription is oxytetracycline, which is not meant to be used for egg-laying birds even though past 7 days post-treatment levels are considered safe.

Does anyone have any guidance in this situation? Should I adminster the oxytetracycline to the bird contrary to the directions or see if the condition self-resolves?

Thank you so much

Matthew

1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.) 2) What is the behavior, exactly. 3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? 4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms? 5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. 6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. 7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. 8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. 9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? 10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?

1) Australorp, ~2yo, <2kg 2) Sneezing and audible wheeze 3) Day three 4) No 5) No 6) Nothing 7) Good oral intake 8) Normal defecation 9) Hydralyte (electrolyte) only 10) Treat without veterinary intervention

 

[Eggcessive]

Her symptoms could be a result of getting a piece of feed in her airway or nostril, but a respiratory disease might be possible. Oxytetracycline will treat a bacterial disease such as mycoplasma (MG.) It is safe to use, but use it only on the affected bird. If she has no bubbles or foam in either eye, nasal drainage, or seems sick, then I might just hold off and watch her. Make sure that she has good air circulation in her coop.

 

[MatthewMChickens]

Her symptoms could be a result of getting a piece of feed in her airway or nostril, but a respiratory disease might be possible. Oxytetracycline will treat a bacterial disease such as mycoplasma (MG.) It is safe to use, but use it only on the affected bird. If she has no bubbles or foam in either eye, nasal drainage, or seems sick, then I might just hold off and watch her. Make sure that she has good air circulation in her coop.

Ok thank you, I will hold off for the moment.
She seems to have excess saliva production on her beak (appearing distinctly separate to eyes and nose) which I guess would support the idea of aspiration. If she deteriorates socially and stops shoving her face full of food I think I will then consider more treatment. Thank you!