Gapeworm or Respiratory Illness?

[MrsBrooke]

So yesterday was day 5 of the medication so I have stopped. Again she is acting very normal and looks normal, but still has the weird sound when she breaths (which is in the video above). Looking for advice of whether I should use a different medication? Wait a while? Keep her quarantined? I just know I read not to medicate for more than 5 days, but never saw how long to stop before starting up again.

Thanks,

Nick

Was the Tylan or the Safeguard what you used for five days? And did you, as Kathy suggested, use the Tylan at least twice a day? That's the antibiotic for any respiratory issues she's got.

MrsB

 

[casportpony]

Was the Tylan or the Safeguard what you used for five days? And did you, as Kathy suggested, use the Tylan at least twice a day? That's the antibiotic for any respiratory issues she's got.

MrsB

I don't think enough of either drug was given. Sigh... Time to consult with a vet.

-Kathy

 

[lilcheeks]

Was the Tylan or the Safeguard what you used for five days? And did you, as Kathy suggested, use the Tylan at least twice a day? That's the antibiotic for any respiratory issues she's got.

MrsB

Yes, I used the Tylan and Safeguard both for 5 days. The Safeguard was given once a day and the Tylan was given twice a day. Both were mixed with food as I wasn't able to tube feed either to her alone. Now that I saw some videos from Kathy, I think I could handle it better next time.

Also note, i didn't use the dosage Kathy suggested, I used the 0.5cc of Tylan I read most people used. Maybe I should have listened better.

 

[lilcheeks]

I just found a chicken medicine site that listed the following

Tylan 50: Up to 1.6 cc. (This is a lot of fluid--Need to use methods above to help minimize problems.) (methods above listed to split orally and injection)
*Tylan 200: 1/2 cc. (Tylan 200 is easier on birds, because smaller amount of fluid)

So I think Kathy was correct from the beginning, I should have been dosing a lot more than what I was, in fact I was dosing about 1/3 of what I should have been. So the question is, can I start dosing the correct amount after a few days off? I called the local Vet and they want $85 to see the chicken before they will even talk about anything...not so sure the spouse will be okay with that. Thanks for everyones help. Again she is doing great at the moment, just sounds bad.

 

[MrsBrooke]

Unsure about re-treating. I'll leave that one to Kathy.

Sorry about the vet being so expensive. :/ Seems to be the way of things.

MrsB

 

[casportpony]

Unsure about re-treating. I'll leave that one to Kathy.

Sorry about the vet being so expensive. :/ Seems to be the way of things.

MrsB

I'm unsure, too.

-Kathy

 

[lilcheeks]

I think I have some good news. As I researched more, it sounds like Tylan 50 can be given for 5-7 days, and since my first two days were me trying to drip Tylan into the mouth of the chicken, I can't be positive she actually ingested any the first time or two. So I felt the risk was low for treating for 7 days vs 5. Anyway, as of yesterday morning she was no longer making the strange breathing sound, and actually was making chicken sound. Its hard to describe in words but the sound they make when they are "talking" or "purring". Not sure that helps at all but she is making a clucking sound now, which I haven't heard at all while she was sick. So this morning was the 7th day and again no strange breathing this morning and ate up the 2 eggs I made for her.

So now my question is, how long do I keep her quarantined from the other chickens? She is very eager to get back with them but I want to make sure I wait the time I should. Thanks again for all the help.

Nick

 

[lilcheeks]

Another update. The chicken has been doing great being isolated. She eats great, poops great, drinks great and moves around great. I really don't hear her strange breathing anymore so yesterday I put her in with the other chickens and one chicken started to pick on her. She immediately started the strange breathing again (neck out, almost gasping for air). Does that mean she is not healed yet? Or does the disease come on with stress? If so, how do you introduce a chicken that's been away for 2 weeks from the other birds? Or is that a sign she was not healed and I need to treat again?

 

[MrsBrooke]

I'd bring her back inside and keep her under observation. If she settles down into her private quarters with no protest, you'll know she needs to be there for a minute.

Stress can trigger many things in chickens, one of those being respiratory ailments. I'm unsure if it works like what you experienced, though.

MrsB

 

[lilcheeks]

I'd bring her back inside and keep her under observation. If she settles down into her private quarters with no protest, you'll know she needs to be there for a minute.

Stress can trigger many things in chickens, one of those being respiratory ailments. I'm unsure if it works like what you experienced, though.

MrsB

I actually put her back in her own coup last night. Do you suggest leaving here there for another week? or slowly introduce her to her old group?

Thanks,

Nick