gagging silkie

[deborah the silkie]

Hey everyone, I have a seemingly healthy buff silkie pullets that has been gaping/gagging when she eats. I have noticed what I believe are sneezes very infrequently. Is this an upper respiratory infection? Or at least the beginnings of one? I haven't noticed any nasal discharge, eye discharge, or diarrhea. But she may have vomited? Any ideas?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I would say to do a search for gapeworm and then see if you think it could be that?

 

[BamaSilkies]

Open her beak and have a look. She may have a piece of grass or hey or something stuck in throat. If you dont see anything do the gapeworm check. Chicken will sneeze sometimes unless shes doing it on a regular basis or has nasal discharge I would just keep an eye on that.

 

[chicknmania]

It is definitely something. WE have a peahen doing that. Took her to the vet and we are treating her for URI and/or Gapeworm.

You should separate your hen and start her on an antibiotic, at the very least Duramycin, preferably Tylan or something similar. Deworm her also with a broad spectrum dewormer like Fenbendazole. (Panacur)

 

[BamaSilkies]

The best wormer for gapeworms is Valbazen. Dawg is the worm expert around here.

 

[BamaSilkies]

I would hold off on the antibiotics until you know what the problem is do a search for the gapeworm test. I think you take a qtip and swab the throat and if it comes up with red y shaped things its gape. For the sneezing I recommend ACV. Antibiotics will kill the good and bad bacteria and they need some to keep up their immune systems. If you find worms I would treat that first. Give her a few days after the worming and then see if the sneezing subsides. If not then maybe do the antibiotics. (Tylan or Oxytetracycline maybe)