Gape Worms

[Doc1960]

Update…… unfortunately she didn’t make it! I have a chicken that has gape worms. I have given her her first dose of Valbazen today! I’m new to having gape worms. Should I redose tomorrow? How long will it take her before she quits gaping and do I withhold food from her cause I don’t know where in the throat they get lodged or how that part of it works any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Eggcessive]

What is your general location? Is your chicken able to eat and drink? Gapeworm is rare, and most chickens are gasping for air, and cannot eat or drink. Respiratory diseases are much more common, and can cause gasping, watery/bubbly eye, nasal drainage, excessive swallowing, head shaking, sneeze, or noisy breathing. Valbazen 1/2 ml orally should treat gape and most other chicken worms with one dose, and another in 10 days. But if gapeworm is really a problem, many use fenbendazole/SafeGuard liquid goat wormer or horse paste 1/4 ml per pound given orally for 5 straight days.

 

[Doc1960]

What is your general location? Is your chicken able to eat and drink? Gapeworm is rare, and most chickens are gasping for air, and cannot eat or drink. Respiratory diseases are much more common, and can cause gasping, watery/bubbly eye, nasal drainage, excessive swallowing, head shaking, sneeze, or noisy breathing. Valbazen 1/2 ml orally should treat gape and most other chicken worms with one dose, and another in 10 days. But if gapeworm is really a problem, many use fenbendazole/SafeGuard liquid goat wormer or horse paste 1/4 ml per pound given orally for 5 straight days.

I live in East Tx! No watery eyes, no drainage , no weazing, no shaking head, not hot mouth open to cool. only the gaping.

 

[Eggcessive]

I will tag @ Dawg53 to see what he thinks about the Valbazen.

 

[theoldchick]

https://poultrydvm.com/condition/gapeworms

 

[Doc1960]

I will tag @ Dawg53 to see what he thinks about the Valbazen.

Thank you

 

[Doc1960]

Thank you for this! Unfortunately she didn’t make it!

 

[Doc1960]

Thank you

Thank you for your help! Unfortunately she didn’t make it!

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. Can you try to get a necropsy by your state vet? Keep the body cold, and contact them. There are 4 locations in TX. If you cannot do that I would have a local vet check the droppings for gapeworm eggs, with a fecal float on fresh droppings. Here is a list of state vets including yours:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[dawg53]

Thank you for this! Unfortunately she didn’t make it!

Sorry for your loss. You can do a necropsy yourself. Open up your bird and split open the windpipe. That's where the red mating worms will be located. See photo below.