Help! I have a traumatized Silkie pullet...

[AriadneCastro]

What exactly is going on....what symptoms are you seeing and what meds do you have them on?

They are coughing, sneezing, have running noses and noisy breathing. One has something in his eye, it's very red and wet, and he keeps it closed most of the time. The ones that I lost all had these symptoms. I gave them Terramycin (oxytetracycline hydrochloride + benzethonium chloride) for a week. They should have shown some improvement in 48 hours but, seemingly, it didn't help and I suspended the treatment when I finished the box. I went to the pharmacy again but they didn't have a different kind of antibiotic.

 

[TwoCrows]

Switch to Duramycin, (if you can get this there) a broader spectrum antibiotic and isnt so bitter tasting. Oxy is so bitter they may not be drinking enough of it. The Dura will kill off more species of bacteria too. If you cant get the Dura, how about Doxycycline or even Sulfadimethoxine?

 

[AriadneCastro]

Switch to Duramycin, (if you can get this there) a broader spectrum antibiotic and isnt so bitter tasting. Oxy is so bitter they may not be drinking enough of it. The Dura will kill off more species of bacteria too. If you cant get the Dura, how about Doxycycline or even Sulfadimethoxine?

Thank you so much for your advice, it was as a starting point. I went to the pharmacy but they didn't have a version of these for animals and, since they aren't allowed to sell the human versions without a prescription, I went to 3 vets and to the local farmer's cooperative, looking for someone with credentials to help me. I finally found an off-duty vet, who heard my distress at the front desk of the cooperative - and he was willing to look into it. The problem with my chicks appears to be chronic respiratory disease (CRD), which is usually caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum, and can occur simply by episodes of stress. Since they came from a market just a few weeks ago, this seems quite plausible... He then recommended Tylosin. This is not available at the pharmacy but they had it ordered, to be delivered tomorrow.

As for my beloved little ball of cotton, she is doing much better. I've been letting her out into the veggie garden every day, along with one of her buddies, and spoiling her with treats. She is almost back to her usual self, engaging in insect-hunting, dust bathing, enjoying the sun and all the interesting things of the world. Thank you again for all your support!!! ***

 

[TwoCrows]

Awww.....she is adorable!! I am glad she is improving!!

Yes, MG can kill babies, adults too. Be careful with cross contamination with your other birds. MG usually makes the carriers for the rest of their days. The Tylan will help greatly. Always keep some on hand for future use...if others in your flock turn up with it or birds reinfect as they age. My flock had MS, similar Mycoplasma, and was able to iradicate it. It can be done with obssessive cleaning techiques, both with poop and bleach cleaning everything often.

Good to hear!! Please keep us posted as time goes by. Big huggies to you adorable Silkie!!

 

[AriadneCastro]

UPDATE!!!

It's been a week since I've started medicating my flock with Tylan. The pharmacist prescribed only 3 to 5 days of treatment, so today's dose was already over the limit, but one is still coughing and sneezing...

What shall I do? I don't want to over-medicate the poor birds but I'm afraid that this last sick chick will bring the whole problem back again. Shall I carry on giving him the medicine, or all of them, or none...? I'm at my wit's end...

​

 

[TwoCrows]

Tylan isnt the best medicine for MG. You might try some Duramycin. A much broader spectrum antibiotic that kills off more respiratory ailments. Dura is often recommended for MG. Tylan works well on sinus infections, but not as well for Mycoplasmas which MG is.

 

[AriadneCastro]

Tylan isnt the best medicine for MG. You might try some Duramycin. A much broader spectrum antibiotic that kills off more respiratory ailments. Dura is often recommended for MG. Tylan works well on sinus infections, but not as well for Mycoplasmas which MG is.

Duramycin is not available... My choice right now is between medicating with Tylan or with nothing at all. Shall I just separate the chick and wait for it to die? Is the rest of the flock going to be sick again because of this last one?

 

[AriadneCastro]

Never mind my last post...

my little baby just died on my lap. I don't understand... everyone responded to the treatment, including him - he got better after just 2 days of it. Yesterday, he suddenly got worse and today this. I'm so upset I can't even begin to explain how much. Anyway, thank you for all your replies, it apparently helped to find a remedy for 2/3 of my flock. Only males have died, all my laying hens are cured and my Silkie ball of fluff is back to normal. Still, I'm sad...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry for your loss

 

[ambergds]

I'm so sorry for all that you have been through with your chickens recently. It's so sad when they don't make it.
I have completely removed all signs of suspected CRD from my flock with denegard. I bought it off Amazon, no vet needed. If you do search on this site about it there is lots of info including dosage.
Good luck to you!