Hen sneezing frequently with vocal changes

[ChrisDPT]

The hen in question is a Cinnamon queen, approximately 6-7 months old. She free ranges most of the day with the rest of the flock, but sleeps in a coop with just her and a RIR as they were older and have only been exposed to the new pullets for the last month or so. Two weeks ago she began sneezing often. At least I think it's a sneeze: sort of a high pitched squeak, sometimes in bunches of 2-3 and she will shake her head while it happens. After a week or so of that, her voice changed such that her vocalizations became hoarse. To me, her call sounded exactly like a donkey. I didn't notice any nasal discharge or changes around the eyes. Her eating, drinking, laying, and energy levels all seemed unchanged. I didn't notice any change in weight, or in the composition of her stool, although with free ranging I could have missed some occasional abnormal stool. Nobody else in the flock ever exhibited any of these symptoms.

I starter her, and the rest of the flock, on TiaGard with concerns it could be MG. The TiaGard didn't seem to help and, after about a week of treatment, she passed in the middle of the night. She just woke up about 1:30 AM, shrieked loudly for about 30 seconds, and then dropped dead off of her roost (I have cameras). Any ideas a) what this could have been b) what I should have done differently, and c) if the rest of my flock is at risk now?

Thank you in advance for any advice or input.

- Chris

 

[GregoryPeckory]

I'm sorry about your hen Chris.

A) The "sneezing", head shaking and vocal changes without other obvious symptoms (at least initially) sounds like it could be respiratory Aspergillosis (fungal infection). Usually as it progresses there are other tell-tale signs, like comb darkening (from lack of oxygen) and gaping or gasping, and wheezing. While the chronic kind doesn't usually cause sudden death, the acute can, which would explain her drop off the roost.

It's hard to diagnose Aspergillus without imaging, but often examining the throat (get your bird to say "Ah") will show off-white, "cheesy" growths at the back of the throat.

(We currently have a roo who has had chronic Aspergillosis for 6 years. We used a nebulizing regimen with saline, an antifungal and herbal tinctures when he first contracted it, and continue to do so when he has a flare up.)

The other thing that comes to mind is Gapeworm (little red worms at the back of the throat). However, it tends to be more rare and I think you would have noticed her inability to eat or drink before death.

I don't know what you could have done differently, other than taking a peek down her throat. As for the rest of your flock, it doesn't sound like CRD, and Aspergillosis is usually picked up from the environment, as is Gapeworm. Interested what other folks might add.

Good luck with the rest of your flock, and again, sorry for your loss.

 

[Laurasb65]

Sorry about the loss of your hen.