Help! Wheezing hen

[fargosmom]

I have two hens, both EE's, who were fine this morning. This afternoon one is wheezing terribly (as a coincidence she laid the first egg of the year today, too - but I don't think that's related). Help! I love her and want to get her through whatever this is.


1) What type of bird , age and weight. - EE hen, 2 years old, normal weight (don't really know since I cannot catch her right now)
2) What is the behavior, exactly. - audible wheezing on every breath, beak slightly open but not gaping, and I heard one small sneeze
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? - she was fine this morning - I just came home midafternoon and found her like this
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms? - other hen seems fine
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. - no
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. - don't know
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. - normal feed (organic layer mash) veggies, yogurt, grapes, wheat bread
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. - seems normal - I'll check again in the morning
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? - nothing so far
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? - I have some antibiotics (oxytet) and wormer here, but want to know what/how much to use
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help. -n/a
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use - sand in run, wood shavings in house

Hope to hear soon but I have to get back to work - whatever treatment she needs will have to wait 2-3 hours.

 

[dwegg]

I just had a hen who was hiccuping/sneezing and then wheezing and breathing not normal but everything else was normal...i was told to put some ACV (apple cider vinegar) in their water and it has definitely helped and almost stopped her hiccuping and breathing normal now..???? It worked..

 

[fargosmom]

I'm taking her to the vet in the morning - sure hope they can do something. She sounds terrible. The only thing I can think of is that I recently switched them from pellets to a mash layer mix - which is much dustier than I had anticipated. I'm wondering if she inhaled some food. Anyway I hope she makes it through the night ok, and we'll see what the doctor says tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

 

[fargosmom]

Should I bring her in the house? It's mid-40's outside, I think. Is the cold worse, or the stress of being caught and kept in a carrier? She really doesn't like to be handled.