Gapeworm ?

[Jynuine]

I have a black Jersey Giant Pullet who is showing signs of Gapeworm.

We noticed yesterday she was extending her neck as if she was trying to swallow something. This morning she was still doing it and she wasn't interested in eating with the other chickens. I carefully poured some water down her beak thinking she needed some water (I know to be careful as to not get water in her lungs), but she is still doing it. Im thinking it could be Gapeworm.
I know it's rare- but I live in Oregon and it's been raining the past week. Maybe they surfaced somewhere?

She looks like in this video:

I have dewormer pellets? How would I get it into her? Can I save her? -Jyn

 

[Judy]

What I've read is to swab deep in the chicken's throat with a Q tip to check for gapeworm -- or you can look way back with a flashlight. If they are present, you will come out with thin red worms on your Q tip.

This is a thread about gapeworm, which requires a paarticular type of dewormer. Read here for the expert's comments, post 13 and 14:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/602699/worming-chickens/0_20#post_7931055

 

[Jynuine]

This is a clip of her. She isn't eating or drinking :

[VIDEO]

This is the dewormer I have... it doesnt say gapeworm on it and you have to mix it with other feed?

 

[Jynuine]

What I've read is to swab deep in the chicken's throat with a Q tip to check for gapeworm -- or you can look way back with a flashlight. If they are present, you will come out with thin red worms on your Q tip.

This is a thread about gapeworm, which requires a paarticular type of dewormer. Read here for the expert's comments, post 13 and 14:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/602699/worming-chickens/0_20#post_7931055

Thanks- Im not really sure what to do right now. I'm going to call our local feed store who has meds too, but Im not sure how to get dry feed down her since she isnt eating? Especially if I have to mix it. We've been losing 10 week old chicks recently too, not sure why. They're on medicated chick feed and I cant figure out why just up get weak and die.

 

[dawg53]

Your pullet may have gapeworm. I HIGHLY recommend that you take a fresh fecal sample from her to a vet's office and get it checked for gapeworm eggs and/or any other types of worm eggs. They'll be able to tell you what type(s) of eggs are present on the microscopic slide. It shouldnt cost much.
Strike lll wormer will not treat gapeworm. The link in Judy's post tells you what must be done to treat gapeworm.
ETA: They will also let you know if there's a cocci problem.

 

[Jynuine]

I swabbed her and there didn't seem to be anything on it. How far in do I have to go?
I was able to make some mash and stick it in her beak a little while she was gaping and she swallowed a good tablespoon. I let her settle with that and she went off and continued her gaping which is consistantly about 5 seconds apart. Then she sneezed about 4 times and continued gaping, trying to get off somewhere the older chickens wouldnt bother her.

There isnt any wheezing or sound coming from her. I just dont really know what to do at this point. I lost an 8 week old chick last night from our brooder bunch who wasnt looking too well yesterday- wasnt eating or drinking. She ate a little when I isolated her into another brooder and my daughter said she was drinking (but I didnt see her). She was dead this morning. We lost another buff orpington (same age) about 4 days ago in the same way. All the rest seem fine and they're on medicated feed. So, I'm a little stressed right now trying to figure out whats going on.

 

[Jynuine]

Thanks! I was told there might be a chicken doc at a vet nearby but they werent sure if they were still there. I will call- the swab I did showed nothing, but then again I dont know how far down I have to go or if I did it right.

 

[Judy]

If you can't get the poop checked for cocci, I would go ahead and treat for it with Corid, which you should be able to get at a feed store, as its quite possibly what is taking out your chicks. But the best way to go is definitely to get the poop checked by a vet, as dawg days..

Corid dose: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/775739/blood-in-older-chicks-stool/0_20#post_11087272

 

[ldchetty]

Sorry your chook(s) are not feeling well. My flock had gapeworm last year. You need Levamisole to treat gapeworm. It goes by the name Prohibit in the US - it is labeled for cattle. Use this link, second entry down for dosing: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/794775/levamisole-dosage-and-gapeworm. I got some from my vet, it can also be ordered online. In the meantime you can mix 5 tsps of castor oil and 1 tsp of turpentine and syringe feed it to your chook(s) - every 12 hours. The solution is thick so it has be administered slowly - clears out the gapes though. You will have to treat your whole flock with Prohibit. I gave my girls Prohibit treated water for 6 months because the gapes kept coming back. Good luck!!

 

[ldchetty]

Also, look out for a respiratory infection after the gape clears out. Tylan 50 will treat that.