Coughing turkeys

[Stefanie1141213]

Hello there! I have 4 Bourbon red hens, 2 of which are coughing for 3 weeks now. I have been treating them with 1.5ml Tylan 200 orally and little improvement. ( They really really hate this by now) I am looking for any help. I cant get water soluble antibiotics, I heard you need a rx. They are 6mo old hens, 10lbs each and live with my 8 hens and a roo. Thanks so much I appreciate it.

 

[chickens really]

Did the temps drop quickly?...Respiratory?..Adding a location will help...
@oldhenlikesdogs

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Poultry can't really cough as they don't have a complete diaphragm like mammals. What does it sounds like? They can sneeze, and make all kinds of vocalizations.

 

[Eggcessive]

MG or mycoplasma gallisepticum is more severe in turkeys, and air sacculitis where it can spread infection to different parts of the body is common, along with sinus infections. Apparently turkeys can be carriers of MG, and if the temperature drops drastically, or there is dust or ammonia odors in the coop, this can cause symptoms. I would also post on the Turkey Forum. There is some info where tiamulin (Denagard) can be effective in MG in turkeys. It is purchased online. Here are some links to read:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/disea...um-infection-mg-infectious-sinusitis-turkeys/
http://www.octagon-services.co.uk/articles/mycoplasma_turkeys.htm
https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail...CYk7545H0Wq03X3KjW_p2Vo4oi_kUsisaAjRTEALw_wcB

Mycoplasma infections in turkeys:
M. gallisepticum – Infectious sinusitis.

MG causes primarily a respiratory infection in turkeys inducing sinusitis, pneumonia, and airsacculitis. The birds show a nasal and ocular discharge, swollen paranasal sinuses, tracheal râles, coughing, laboured breathing, a loss of condition and even death, especially if the infection is compounded with secondary bacteria such as E. coli. Usually outbreaks occur between 8-15 weeks of age and upto 90% of birds may show signs. In breeding birds, there may be a drop in egg production. Occasionally an encephalitic form is seen in growing birds. A tenovaginitis may also develop and the organism can be found in the oviduct and semen of infected male birds, leading to infection in the egg and eventually of the young poult.

 

[Stefanie1141213]

Did the temps drop quickly?...Respiratory?..Adding a location will help...
@oldhenlikesdogs

We live in florida. So temps in pm have been in the 60s. I have a roo that had a snotty nose so thats why i thought it was respratory. The turkey cough sounds more like a goose honk now, not a cough i guess. I posted this in the turkey thread, upon myh misyake i posted it here.

 

[Stefanie1141213]

Poultry can't really cough as they don't have a complete diaphragm like mammals. What does it sounds like? They can sneeze, and make all kinds of vocalizations.

It started with sneezing and i guess it sounds more like a goose honk and they have their mouths open and breathing thru them

 

[Eggcessive]

The link does describe coughing or sneezing in respiratory diseases. Whichever it is, it is not important, but feom the sinus infection. Hopefully you will get info on the turkey theead. Air sacculitis can be serious. Respiratory diseases can last for weeks, and can possibly come back whenever there is stress, such as molting or cold temperatures. Let us know what happens, and sorry that you are going through this.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Does sound respiratory. Could be you aren't using the correct antibiotics. Some stuff responds to only certain antibiotics. If you aren't seeing an improvement than maybe try something else. What I don't know as I'm not familiar with what's available.