HELP!!! GAPEWORM OR RESPIRATORY??

[missiguy]

I have had 3 hens die in the past month. I have another one in my house right now that is sick. She is gasping, but she has no runny eyes, no cough, no wheezing. Aside from gasping, she can't walk. She is a Sumatra mix, I got her and 2 partridge blues from a lady about 6 months ago. Both partridge blues died and one of my jersey giant hens died. They were a little less active than normal right before they died and the next day, they just laid down and died. My hen that is inside right now, her name is Sugar, she is eating and drinking, seems fine except for the gasping and not being able to walk. Her legs do move and she kicks, she just can't stand or walk. Any advice would be very appreciated. Thank you

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have had 3 hens die in the past month. I have another one in my house right now that is sick. She is gasping, but she has no runny eyes, no cough, no wheezing. Aside from gasping, she can't walk. She is a Sumatra mix, I got her and 2 partridge blues from a lady about 6 months ago. Both partridge blues died and one of my jersey giant hens died. They were a little less active than normal right before they died and the next day, they just laid down and died. My hen that is inside right now, her name is Sugar, she is eating and drinking, seems fine except for the gasping and not being able to walk. Her legs do move and she kicks, she just can't stand or walk. Any advice would be very appreciated. Thank you

Can you take a fecal float to your vet?

Have you administered any treatment/given medications?
It would be a good idea if you lose another one to send the body to your state lab to get more information. This is a link to your lab https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/consumers/pets/animal-health-diagnostic-lab0.html

If possible, a video of your hen may be helpful - upload video to youtube and provide a link.

Not being able to walk adds a little bit of mystery there - she may have more than one thing going on. Marek's disease, Newcastle, Aspergillosis are a few diseases that come to mind that can have similar symptoms you describe.

Gapeworm is fairly rare, but de-worming may be worth a try if you aren't able to get some testing. Safeguard can be found at TSC. Dose is .23ml per pound of weight given orally once a day for 5 days.

An antibiotic like Tylosin may help with symptoms of respiratory illness like MG. It can be purchased online https://www.jedds.com/shop/tylan-soluble-100-g/

Ensure that your coop has plenty of ventilation, that droppings are cleaned up to minimize ammonia, that there's no molds in housing and feed, keep water stations clean.
Hopefully you can source a vet or get some testing to find out more.

 

[Myrshine]

If it’s not caused by Gapeworm, Aspergillosis can cause symptoms like you’re describing

 

[missiguy]

Can you take a fecal float to your vet?

Have you administered any treatment/given medications?
It would be a good idea if you lose another one to send the body to your state lab to get more information. This is a link to your lab https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/consumers/pets/animal-health-diagnostic-lab0.html

If possible, a video of your hen may be helpful - upload video to youtube and provide a link.

Not being able to walk adds a little bit of mystery there - she may have more than one thing going on. Marek's disease, Newcastle, Aspergillosis are a few diseases that come to mind that can have similar symptoms you describe.

Gapeworm is fairly rare, but de-worming may be worth a try if you aren't able to get some testing. Safeguard can be found at TSC. Dose is .23ml per pound of weight given orally once a day for 5 days.

An antibiotic like Tylosin may help with symptoms of respiratory illness like MG. It can be purchased online https://www.jedds.com/shop/tylan-soluble-100-g/

Ensure that your coop has plenty of ventilation, that droppings are cleaned up to minimize ammonia, that there's no molds in housing and feed, keep water stations clean.
Hopefully you can source a vet or get some testing to find out more.

She has stopped gasping after 3 days. I gave her Ivermectin yesterday and today she isn't gasping. She is eating like a champ, her appetite never went away, drinking and I am giving her electrolytes. She's had a few runny poos, but mostly solid poos. Problem is that she still isn't standing... She kicks, scoots around and moves her feet, but she won't stand up right

 

[missiguy]

She has stopped gasping after 3 days. I gave her Ivermectin yesterday and today she isn't gasping. She is eating like a champ, her appetite never went away, drinking and I am giving her electrolytes. She's had a few runny poos, but mostly solid poos. Problem is that she still isn't standing... She kicks, scoots around and moves her feet, but she won't stand up right

I really don't want to lose her. She is my favorite

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She has stopped gasping after 3 days. I gave her Ivermectin yesterday and today she isn't gasping. She is eating like a champ, her appetite never went away, drinking and I am giving her electrolytes. She's had a few runny poos, but mostly solid poos. Problem is that she still isn't standing... She kicks, scoots around and moves her feet, but she won't stand up right

I'm glad that the gasping is better. The paralysis is concerning. Eating/drinking like a champ and appetite never going away along with the paralysis I would lean toward Marek's disease.
You can try placing her in a sling for short periods of time to see if that helps.

 

[missiguy]

I'm glad that the gasping is better. The paralysis is concerning. Eating/drinking like a champ and appetite never going away along with the paralysis I would lean toward Marek's disease.
You can try placing her in a sling for short periods of time to see if that helps.

I am going to do that today!!

 

[missiguy]

I am going to do that today!!

She's been in the sling several times and she still isn't using her legs. I feel bad, like I am prolonging her suffering

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She's been in the sling several times and she still isn't using her legs. I feel bad, like I am prolonging her suffering

I'm sorry to hear that she's not getting any better. Sometimes we have to make a hard decision and let them go, especially if we think they are suffering.

 

[missiguy]

I'm sorry to hear that she's not getting any better. Sometimes we have to make a hard decision and let them go, especially if we think they are suffering.

I agree