Experienced owners, I need advice on respitory problem

[amanda1]

My 8 month old Cream Legbar has never laid an egg. I recently noticed she has a respitory illness. Based on her head shaking, she must have had it for months. I finally put all her actions together to realize she is not breathing right. She breathes heavy all the time, sometimes open mouthed if she she exerts herself. Everything else is normal. She eats, poops, drinks and hangs with the rest of the flock. I can hear serious congestion when I listen to her back.

I tried worming. Now she has been taking oxytetracycline for 4 days. I have been giving her a little less than 1/8 ts twice daily. I planned on keeping her on the oxy for at least 7 days, but at this point I have seen no changes.

I don't know whether to try another antibiotic or simply give up. She doesn't appear to be in pain. But I'd really like her to get better because I care about her as well as I'd really like her to start laying for us! Has anyone experienced such symptoms in their flock? What would you advise? Culling is not an option right now. And none of the other flock members have shown symptoms, so I don't see a reason to isolate her at this point (which would also stress her). Thank you for any advice you have!

 

[Eggcessive]

Most respiratory diseases will at least cause nasal drainage, watery eyes, and sneezing. If she doesn't have that, she may have something else going on. Head shaking can be a sign, but it could be something going on with her ear. Rattly breathing can sometimes be from the crop if there is liquid in the airway. How does her crop feel now, and again in the early morning before she eats or drinks when it should be empty. She also could have some problems breathing from a heart problem, or ecen from a reproductive problem or ascites (fluid in the lower belly.) Since she has never started laying, I would look at it possibly being a reproductive problem. Feel of her lower belly for sponginess or tightness. Look in her ears and use a QTip gently to check for any gunk. If her crop feels full and puffy, she could have sour crop. These are just some suggestions on figuring out if it is really a respiratory disease or something else. Respiratory diseases can be from mold fungus which would have less of the symptoms above, and bacterial or viral ones would have the runny nose and eyes, and coughing or sneezing.

 

[amanda1]

Thank you for the response. I do find it strange there are no other symptoms. I had an experienced chicken person look at her over a week ago. She felt her all over and seemed to think it was respiratory. I guess I need to try to find a vet to look at her. I have exhausted all my personal resources.

 

[amanda1]

We have a vet appointment for noon today. Praying we can get her better and get her laying.

 

[amanda1]

Update from the vet: it's impossible,to diagnose without an autopsy. She suspects it could be lung worms, air sac fungus, or air sac mites. She gave me drops to put in her nostril daily for fungus. I sure hope she gets better soon!