Heavy breathing, droopy wings....:( week old

[Kellip1973]

I have found that a dash of apple cider vinegar in the water sorts pasty butt out. Mycoplasma can be transmitted through the egg. I'm sure that if you are in favor of natural remedies, you will be aware of the benefits of probiotics such as yoghurt .

I have been giving ACV since hatch. It's just this one little guy that is weak. Do you know if I can keep putting the ACV in with the Corid? I really didn't want to give Corid and don't think it is doing anything as the condition of the chick remains the same. Thank you. I am just at a loss as to what is wrong. As I had mentioned I seriously think it was born with a birth defect. I am going to look up Mycoplasma now. Thanks again.

 

[Kellip1973]

The birth defect idea is extremely far fetched. On the other hand, respiratory problems caused by bacteria are very common amongst birds.

Egg transmission of Chlamydia in chickens is possible:

http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1111/j.1439-0450.1993.tb00162.x

So, yes, they can be hatched infected. It could have also been infected shortly after hatching. I've had birds only a few days old become infected.

There are a lot of things you can try: doxycycline, azithromycin, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline; sold as Terramycin, Duramycin, etc. Let me know if you try any of these as there are some things you need to do to optimize absorption of those antibiotics.

Thank you. I am not sure, all species of animals can have birth defects so why not a chicken? It was just a though as it hatched this way. I am giving Corid at the moment. Should I wait until the 5 days are up to proceed with another medication? I really don't like all this medication. Are there any natural remedies to implement? Thanks

 

[War Chicken]

Birth defects are a lot rarer than infections. Much, much rarer.

Everyone gets a respiratory infection at some time in their life but not everyone has a birth defect. Not even close. And birds are far more susceptible to respiratory infections due to their more complicated respiratory tract and much larger sinuses.

If you're only have 1-2 more days of Corid left you might as well finish the course.

Tetracycline is naturally occurring and was derived from Streptomyces aureofaciens. Doxycycline is a souped-up version and is probably what you should be trying.

 

[Kellip1973]

You should have considered Mycoplasma (and Chlamydia) the first time symptoms of a respiratory infection appeared. I don't know why you're only doing it now after repeatedly saying you have no idea what to do (all the while being told what you could do).

Thank you! This is the first mention of Mycoplasma. I started Corid immediately after it was suggested that it was possibly cocci. I have done what was suggested!

 

[Kellip1973]

Birth defects are a lot rarer than infections. Much, much rarer. Everyone gets a respiratory infection at some time in their life but not everyone has a birth defect. Not even close. And birds are far more susceptible to respiratory infections due to their more complicated respiratory tract and much larger sinuses. If you're only have 1-2 more days of Corid left you might as well finish the course. Tetracycline is naturally occurring and was derived from Streptomyces aureofaciens . Doxycycline is a souped-up version and is probably what you should be trying.

Thank you. Would like to finish one med before starting another. This is next. I would think that is the best way to proceed? Thank you for all the information.

 

[Kellip1973]

Coccidiosis would really only explain the diarrhea and not the respiratory symptoms. I'm not surprised the Corid isn't helping.

Birth defects are a remote possibility. Extremely remote. On the other hand, Chlamydia psittaci infects quite a lot of birds, almost 100% of wild pigeons and is highly contagious.

Chlamydia checks all the boxes--respiratory distress, droopy wings, lethargy, and diarrhea.

I apologize I must have missed this response.

 

[Kellip1973]

Does TSC carry Doxycycline? Also can all of the chicks have the meds?

 

[Kellip1973]

The birth defect idea is extremely far fetched. On the other hand, respiratory problems caused by bacteria are very common amongst birds.

Egg transmission of Chlamydia in chickens is possible:

http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1111/j.1439-0450.1993.tb00162.x

So, yes, they can be hatched infected. It could have also been infected shortly after hatching. I've had birds only a few days old become infected.

There are a lot of things you can try: doxycycline, azithromycin, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline; sold as Terramycin, Duramycin, etc. Let me know if you try any of these as there are some things you need to do to optimize absorption of those antibiotics.

I have actually have duramycin-10 on hand. Dosage? 1 tbsp per gallon?

 

[War Chicken]

Hmmm...I downloaded a PDF of the Duramycin 10 label but their recommended dosages look too low. Even their most concentrated example, the whole packet (181 g) in 12.5 gal, gives 800 mg of tetracycline per gallon. That calculation checks out but is only 0.21 g/L which is below the typical recommendations for tetracycline.

Durvet has a brochure that does say 1 Tbsp/gal for ~800 mg/gal. This is something not found on the label I downloaded. Tetracycline in drinking water for pigeons is 0.55 g/L. Chlortetracycline and oxytetracycline are both 2.5 g/L in drinking water for chickens, more than 10 times the concentration.

For now, just go with the 1 Tbsp/gal. I'm going to keep investigating why the dose of tetracycline is less than oxy- or chlortetracycline.

Remember that tetracyclines are inactivated by minerals/metals like calcium. For that reason I use deionized water and no metal containers. Some suggest acidifying water with citric acid if distilled/deionized water is unavailable. Of course, the water is going to taste terrible so you have to remove other sources of water to force them to drink it.

 

[ten chicks]

I have actually have duramycin-10 on hand. Dosage? 1 tbsp per gallon?

Chlamydia,is rare in chickens. This chicks shows no indication of having Chlamydiosis. Chlamydia is most common in pigeons,and can infect humans. Yes, a chick can hatch with respiratory issues as a result of defects. Considering said chick hatched with breathing difficulties and no other chicks show any signs of respiratory problems,you can logically guess that this may be a weak chick. Not a carrier of some infectious disease.