HELP - MY ROOSTER IS SICK - Thank You!

[roostersandhens]

I took him to the vet, they weren't 100% sure what he has. I did get medication though.

 

[ChickenPeep]

How is he doing now?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I just put pine shavings into all the coops with dirt. It took 2 large bags, and I ran out and need to get and bother bag (I have one more coop to do). The air in those coops is so much fresher! The chickens will be very happy. So thank you @ChickenCanoe . Bumblebee will be taken to the vet in an hour to get looked at!

I don't know what kind of shavings you're getting but the cheapest way to go is to get the big bales of pine shavings made for horse stalls. They work great and are half the price of the kind for smaller pets.

 

[roostersandhens]

How is he doing now?

Not great I was considering putting him to sleep, but we decided to try to get him an oxygen tank, since he struggling to breathe.

 

[Nambroth]

Not great I was considering putting him to sleep, but we decided to try to get him an oxygen tank, since he struggling to breathe.

I don't want to sound stupid, but I have to ask just to be sure-- the vet checked for signs of respiratory illness, and signs of things like gapeworm, canker, etc? The sort of stuff that often makes chickens struggle to breathe? I mean no disrespect to your vet, it's just that some vets aren't the best when it comes to birds.

If your vet did check these things, did he or she listen to your roo's heart and lungs?

Did your vet discuss the possibility of Aspergillosis? It's hard to test for, but with your bedding problems I wonder if it's a possibility? If it might be Aspergillosis, it can be treated, with something like Itraconazole -- though if he is really in respiratory distress, it may be too late to hope for recovery.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I don't want to sound stupid, but I have to ask just to be sure-- the vet checked for signs of respiratory illness, and signs of things like gapeworm, canker, etc? The sort of stuff that often makes chickens struggle to breathe? I mean no disrespect to your vet, it's just that some vets aren't the best when it comes to birds.

If your vet did check these things, did he or she listen to your roo's heart and lungs?

Did your vet discuss the possibility of Aspergillosis? It's hard to test for, but with your bedding problems I wonder if it's a possibility? If it might be Aspergillosis, it can be treated, with something like Itraconazole -- though if he is really in respiratory distress, it may be too late to hope for recovery.

I have to bump this one because you are so right.

Good avian vets are very uncommon and avian vets with poultry experience are as rare as hens teeth.

Imagine human doctor specialists.

Then imagine that a vet has to know hundreds of species. Not gonna happen.

 

[cafarmgirl]

What meds did the vet prescribe? I am assuming antibiotic's? Did they do any kind of testing to be sent to a lab? There are various cultures and tests that can be sent out to try to make a diagnosis.

I totally agree with Nambroth and ChickenCanoe, vets who know anything about poultry are one in a million it seems. I have a very good avian vet and he's pretty good with chickens but he mostly tries to apply what works for hookbill's and other pet birds to chickens and it really doesn't always translate.

If by chance this is infectious bronchitis, yes, he will struggle to breath, especially if it's morphed into pneumonia. If he's now on antibiotic's it should help but it will take a couple days to see improvement. But there really are many, many things this could be. Hope he pulls through.

 

[roostersandhens]

I don't want to sound stupid, but I have to ask just to be sure-- the vet checked for signs of respiratory illness, and signs of things like gapeworm, canker, etc? The sort of stuff that often makes chickens struggle to breathe? I mean no disrespect to your vet, it's just that some vets aren't the best when it comes to birds.

If your vet did check these things, did he or she listen to your roo's heart and lungs?

Did your vet discuss the possibility of Aspergillosis? It's hard to test for, but with your bedding problems I wonder if it's a possibility? If it might be Aspergillosis, it can be treated, with something like Itraconazole -- though if he is really in respiratory distress, it may be too late to hope for recovery.

I did take him to a bird vet. Though the vet isn't great with chickens, since he mostly does parrots and such. He is an exotics vet. I can see if I can get Itraconazole. Another one of my roosters is showing symptoms like the one Bumblebee is showing.. I wasn't able to get a oxygen tank, so I may have to take him to the vet so they can do it. The vet did not check for signs of gapeworm or anything. He did listen to his heart and lungs. He also looked in his mouth at his throat. Though Bumblebee turned blue so he had to stop and get an oxygen mask, but he had turned red again by the time he got the oxygen, mask. Thanks everyone for all your advice so far, all is appreciated. Luckily I know a dog and cat vet who I can ask to prescribe any medications, and I am sure she will do it. Thanks again everyone, any more suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[roostersandhens]

Here is a short video of Bumblebee today:

 

[Nambroth]

I am not experienced with respiratory problems like some folks on here, but HAS your rooster been wormed lately with something that would kill gapeworms? If not, it's a consideration!! Fenbendazole would probably be your best bet for a wormer that is easy to get a hold of. Someone with more experience with gapeworm, please correct me if this is wrong.

If we were mine, I'd explore the possibility of gapeworm, Aspergillosis, or any of the number of respiratory ailments; he is not demonstrating any other signs is he? Other than shortness of breath and wheezing, he doesn't have any discharge, bubbling, sneezing, lethargic behaviors, etc? Is he eating well, pooping nicely?

If another roo is showing symptoms like this, we can probably rule out a tumor or simple physical blockage. Aspergillosis seems slightly less likely, though don't rule it out. I am thinking it could be gapeworm or a respiratory disease. Keep a close eye on your other birds! Please let us or your vet know if you see any other symptoms, in any of them... it could be a clue.