how can I tell if my chicken has a viral/bacterial sinus issue or gape worm?

[dianacirce]

I have a sneezy, coughing chicken so I've been doing some research and from what I've read she either has a viral/bacterial/fungal infection or gape worm. How can I tell the difference without sticking something down her throat (not comfortable doing that) or fighting to find a vet that sees chickens?

I don't see any kind of drainage, and I don't hear or feel a wheezing.

Should I just treat her for both, just in case? Tho I'd hate to lose the eggs for two weeks, if I treat her for worms, I'd rather be safe (for her) than sorry.

 

[Crystal R]

Has she been around any other sick birds? Definitely 1st thing is to separate her from the flock just to be on the safe side.

 

[Crystal R]

& his long has she been sneezing & coughing?

 

[dianacirce]

Darn i thought I replied... I just noticed the sneezing the day I posted this, or the evening, rather. No other chickens are sneezing, but she's still sneezing. She's still happy and laying and acitve.

 

[dianacirce]

By the way, she is not mouth breathing and no discharge. Also, her droppings are normal, so I don't see any outward signs of parasites

 

[dawg53]

Darn i thought I replied... I just noticed the sneezing the day I posted this, or the evening, rather. No other chickens are sneezing, but she's still sneezing. She's still happy and laying and acitve.

If she's still happy and laying eggs and active...it's not gapeworms, that's for sure. Also, if your other birds arnt sneezing, no wheezing, bubbly eyes...no other symptoms, I'd suspect it's environmental rather than a respiratory disease. She couldve inhaled feed dust causing her to sneeze, ammonia fumes from soiled bedding, dirt/dust from a dust bath, pollen etc.....

 

[dianacirce]

We spent the weekend cleaning out the coop and putting in fresh hay. Once that was done her sneezing has decreased. Yesterday, she was digging around in my compost area, and started sneezing again. I have started crushing a clove of garlic in their waterer, and bought vitamins, just in case it was a "cold". None of the others have been sneezing, so maybe she is just more sensitive? I just would rather err on the side of caution, rather than lose a chicken, but everything I've read says her feathers would look dull-ish, she would be less interested in eating. She's just about 5 months, and has just begun laying, and I'm getting an egg every day or two, from her.