Gape Worm Treatment

[Rechellef]

After losing my hen last night to what seemed like a choking incident, I did some more research and someone suggested it was probably gape worm. It makes sense because she would often cough and shake her head since the day I purchased her (last year), but since I was so unfamiliar with the disease as was my vet, I just brushed it off as something she alwasy did. However, after her gasping and convulsing for about 5 minutes and then dying, I was lost as to what killed her. Now I am pretty sure it's gape worm given her open mouthed desperation to breath last night. I have read several things on how to treat gape worm and now I need want to treat my whole flock but am not sure the most effective way to do this is. No one else in my flock has ever shown symptoms, but I would rather be safe.

As far as treatment, I also was curious as to egg withdraw time. I have a couple of egg customers that may have to wait until the medications are out of their system.

Thank you in advance!!

 

[sourland]

Have you considered opening the trachea to determine if gapeworm is really the problem? Many things other than gapeworm can cause the 'gaping' response.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
Since you stated that you purchased her last year and you lost her last night, It is not gapeworm. Gapeworm clogs the trachea and they are unable to swallow feed and literally choke to death very quickly. Addionally, most likely your other birds would be doing the same thing because gapeworm eggs are shed onto the ground and picked up by your other birds. You are dealing possibly with some type of respiratory problem. I recommend you send your bird off for a necropsy, perhaps your vet can assist you in that regard.

 

[Rechellef]

Quote:
What other problems could cause such a sudden death? I wish I had kept her body, but I threw her across the street in the woods as I do with all my deceased birds.

 

[sourland]

Some sort of chronic respiratory problem, foreign body lodged in trachea, congenitally malformed trachea, physical injury to trachea all could causing the gaping response.

 

[Rechellef]

This is exactly what she was doing before she died, but she was convulsing periodically as she couldn't breath at the same time. It really seems like it could be gapeworm!! Although with her gasping I saw another video where it could have been pneumonia too.

 

[sourland]

As Dawg has already stated, Since she has been exhibiting this behavior for more than a year common sense indicates that it is most likely not gapeworm. A necropsy would have given a far better chance at diagnosis.