Hen with white lesions in thoat

[myfester]

I can't seem to find info on an unusual issue going on with my flock. It started after winter finally broke where several of the group started with this gurgled breathing, and phlegmy sounding. Some had clear nasal discharge, some had eye discharge (with green/grey crusting). Several have diarrhea...ranging from medium brown/grey to dark brown. Some have dirty vent feathers.

Now I've noticed some have white spots in the throat..approx sesame sized, but irregular shaped. There's a bunch of spots. I'm familiar with canker, but this doesn't look like canker. I've used several antibiotics over the past few weeks without success. The last thing I haven't tried is Flagyl (metronizadole). We have NO vets around that will diagnose or treat chickens. None have died so far, but they are definitely not well. Ages range from 1-6 years of age.

Any idea about what illness creates white spotting IN throats?

 

[Michael Apple]

What are the specific seven antibiotics you have used over the last two weeks?

 

[Shan30]

Just an idea...Have they been laying less? Eating less or seem uncomfortable while eating? Any spots in the mouth or just throat? This time of year is a common time for fowl pox. Look up the symptoms and treatment of wet pox and see if it matches. As a virus the antibiotics would not help the viral infection but may treat the possible secondary infections.

Like I said, just an idea, hope everything resolves soon for you!

 

[Michael Apple]

In order to not waste time, several antibiotics in 14 days will definitely upset the intestinal tract causing diarrhea. Especially if no follow up was done with Probios and vitamin powder in waterers. I would bet your birds are suffering from Trichomaniasis. Metronidazole is the treatment for it. Dosage is 250 mg for a 5 lb hen for 5-6 days. here's some info about Trichomaniasis:
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/poultry/trichomoniasis/overview_of_trichomoniasis.html

Aviotrich is a product I've used: http://www.jedds.com/-strse-1765/AVIO-dsh-TRICH-(Aviomed)/Detail.bok

The only other possibility could be Coryza. I think it is the former rather than the latter. Here's some information about Coryza:
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou...overview_of_infectious_coryza_in_poultry.html

 

[casportpony]

Another possibitly is a yeast infection. The best treatment for that would be fluconazole, but I would try treating for trichomoniasis first.

-Kathy

 

[Michael Apple]

Another possibitly is a yeast infection. The best treatment for that would be fluconazole, but I would try treating for trichomoniasis first.

-Kathy

There are a few treatments effective against trichomaniasis. Carnidazole is another against some more stubborn strains. I've had success with metronidazole in the past. I wouldn't even know where to obtain fluconazole other than a veterinarian. What about ketoconazole? I've seen it prescribed to dogs for fungal infections.

 

[casportpony]

From what I have read, fluconazole is safer than ketoconazole and you can get both online for tropical fish.

-Kathy

 

[myfester]

They had the diarrhea prior to using any antibiotics. But the ones I've tried are:

Oxytetracycline (LA-200) injections to the breast
Duramycin 10 in the water
Tylan (used the injectable orally)

I've also been giving garlic, ACV and alternating with Oxine AH in their water

Their butts do look like Gleet, so I'm wondering too about some of them getting the fungal infection in their throat too. Just wasn't sure if the metronidazole would treat that. I am getting eggs still and the eggs do look healthy. But I have 15 hens, but I know the 4 older ones may lay once a week or so. All of them are showing signs of the illness. One of the younger ones (a 1 yr old) has been laying sporadically.

Because of the weather not being very cooperative, I haven't been able to do a full coop cleaning. It's a large coop with a lot of things to take out..so it's a few hours I'd have to commit to it and between working and it raining, or freezing when I'm off, I just can't get it sanitized in there.

 

[myfester]

Hmmmm, I see on the Jedds Bird Supply site (BTW...thank you...they have a load of medications I don't have access to at the farm store here) has Copper Sulfate for crop fungus. I wonder if I should try that vs. Metronidazole. I can't seem to find any info on the white spots in throat. Like if you ever saw someone with Strept throat...it kinda reminds me of that, but the spots are bigger. I will try tomorrow to get a photo. I need a second person to snap the camera while I hold her mouth open.

Oh, they are eating ok...except when they were really ill and phlegmy sounding. Then I could only get them to eat some bird seed. They even turned their beak at eggs...which they normally love. After 3 days of medicating and bird seed, they were able to eat their pellets.

 

[dawg53]

There was recently a thread in this section using monistat for the problems you're dealing with. Try using the search box and see if you can find it. It might save you time and money. Good luck with your birds.