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- May 29, 2019
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Thank you for the tips. I’m wondering if a heart murmur is something an untrained person could detect. In the house is not allowed by my husband, but I was sitting her in a tub or cool water when she seemed the most distressed. This is so heartbreaking. My daughter had wanted another barred rock since hers was taken by a hawk a few years ago. She’s such a sweet girl' my daughter worked hard to really keep her people friendly, as she grew from a chick. Someone else suggested it could be worms and frankly, I’m hoping it could be thar' but the symptoms like the open mouth breathing when the others aren’t match her very well.
If you can get a stethoscope (you can buy vet-sized ones online), I do feel it could be detected by an untrained person. A normal heart should have 2 distinct parts of beat ("lub-DUP") but murmurs would also involve a whooshing sound during the heartbeat cycle (looked this up on mayoclinic). I'm guessing this could extend to chickens. Might be worth getting one and then comparing the heartbeats of your sick hen with a healthy one, just in case you are able to detect a murmur or an arrhythmia (heart beating irregularly, too fast, or too slow). The thing is, I'm not sure what can be done even if you do detect this issue, other than bring you some peace of mind by ruling out other diseases. And to justify continued supportive care. I'm glad I know.
Have you tried adding electrolytes to their water as @aart mentioned? I use "rooster booster." It's visibly helped keep my flock from wilting, Buffy included (though she still needs extra TLC on sweltering days). Probiotics are also good to include.
I remember going through a point when I thought it could be worms, too, because I think there is a type that causes open-mouthed breathing (gapeworm?). And it is a possibility. Have you been able to see what her poops look like? I realize not everyone has access to a vet willing to look at chicken poop, but I've read there are also mail order companies that will do that (not sure about price though).
Good luck. It's crazy how deeply you can bond with a chicken--and at times, heartbreaking. She sounds like a real sweetheart and a trooper. I am rooting for her!