Hen gasping for air, no vet available

[Sarajobe]

Thanks for the info. I'm willing to try anything at this point.

We found a video about how to use a q tip and clean the sinuses from the mouth. Pretty sure it saved the lives of a few of our birds last year. You hold their beak open and put the a tip to the roof of their mouth and pull forward. It removes any plugged up mucous and helps the sinuses drain. It does tend to stress them momentarily though, so you'll have to weigh whether it's worth it or not. We currently have one sick and have been putting a couple DROPS of saline right at the nostril so that she breathes it in and hopefully helps clear things.

 

[Strawberry74]

The Tiagard arrived last night, and I was able to get a dose in her before bed. I really thought she would not make it through the night. She just seemed exhausted. I feel SO bad for her. If the meds hadn't come in yesterday, I probably would've put her down, but I wanted to see if they would work. This morning, she was still hanging on. She's definitely still very sick, but she ate a little bit of scratch that I put out and has been preening herself some today. Two behaviors I haven't seen in a week. So even though she's suffering, I feel like I should give it some more time. I'm really hoping the second dose of meds tonight will help her turn the corner. I know one thing, she is one tough girl! The others are improving every day! Thank you for asking!

It sounds like she is a tough girl! Hopefully the new meds on board with give her the boost she needs to kick this illness. Keep us posted!

 

[CountryLife4Me]

I just want to say a HUGE thank you to every person who answered my post! Buffy (my Orpington) is improving after 4 doses of Tiagard and lots of other home remedies. Today was the first day in at least a week that she has eaten. Her comb, which was flopped over and shriveled and purple, is now standing up and more red. She actually ran across the yard once today, when all she could do before was waddle slowly. She's only gasping every now and then also. I'm hopeful that she has turned the corner and will be ok. I so appreciate the links to the meds that I couldn't find without a prescription and all the other suggestions you gave. It all made a difference. I'm very grateful that you took time to help a chicken you didn't even know!

 

[Strawberry74]

I just want to say a HUGE thank you to every person who answered my post! Buffy (my Orpington) is improving after 4 doses of Tiagard and lots of other home remedies. Today was the first day in at least a week that she has eaten. Her comb, which was flopped over and shriveled and purple, is now standing up and more red. She actually ran across the yard once today, when all she could do before was waddle slowly. She's only gasping every now and then also. I'm hopeful that she has turned the corner and will be ok. I so appreciate the links to the meds that I couldn't find without a prescription and all the other suggestions you gave. It all made a difference. I'm very grateful that you took time to help a chicken you didn't even know!

Yay Buffy! Such a good update. I hope she continues to improve and gets 100% back to normal.

 

[Strawberry74]

@CountryLife4Me What dosage did you use and what did you mix it with? Once a day? In water? Did you end up treating the whole flock? Never hurts to have added meds in the cabinet should the need arise. Thanks!