Hen wheezing and sneezing

[abbly2]

I have a hen that looks to be gasping for air, automatically i quarantined her from my flock. No discharge from nose but wheezing worse today and sneeze. What can i do to help her besides taking her to the vet

 

[Ponypoor]

Could be anything, but you can try antibiotics, if it’s Coryza (most common respiratory illness in chooks) then Tylosin or Tetracycline is required. Gasping can also be a sign of ascities (water belly), this would require a more invasive treatment which of you have never done before then should be left to a Vet. But if she also has wheezing I doubt it would be ascities.

I just went through what I am assuming is Coryza this past winter with a silkie cockerel, I treated with Tylosin, and it helped him. He continues to be really wheezy and sneezing so I gave him a course of prednisone- this has helped him greatly. I was about to give him some of my asthma puffer ().

If you have access to a Veterinarian you can have them order you some Tylosin or tetracycline. I would opt for tetracycline as Tylosin is a beotch to mix well, I figured out if I used some warm water in a jug (put the Tylosin in first then add the warm water) put the cap on the water jug and shake vigorously to mix. Once mixed you can add this to the water supply. If the hen won’t drink it you will need to drench her. She needs a certain amt daily (dose eludes me at the moment) so I would prefer to drench if they are really unwell.

Some pain meds for any fever and aches and pains would also be a good choice. If they feel a bit better they will be more likely to eat and drink.

Tylenol can be give at 10mg/kg. I use the liquid infant stuff. A half of a low dose (81mg) aspirin is also a good option. I use both as I have many old geriatric birds, and both are well tolerated.

Good luck and I hope your wee gal is ok.