I really need advice on this. Are chickens ever allergic?

[Lobzi]

Im wondering about my Roo who is wheezing. He is so normal in all other ways: good appetite, normal energy levels, normal poo. Im giving him antibiotics but Im beginning to wonder if perhaps I should give him an antihistamine. Is it possible to give a chicken some sudafed or other antihistamine to ease symptoms of respiratory distress?

 

[CoopCrazy]

I cant imagine it would hurt . I would maybe try childrens benadryl first something mild..

 

[Lobzi]

Thank you and according to info on the "About.com" benadryl is safe for animals. I have been giving Roo benadryl since 4:00AM this morning. He was straining to breathe so terribly. Im not seen a whole lot of difference. Im crushing human benadryl and administering it via dissolving it in the antibiotic solution or solid in a powdered form. I wish it could at the very least allow him to rest. I read it may induce drowsiness.

 

[CoopCrazy]

Poor guy .. you may want to look into chicken disease as well and make sure it isnt something more seroiuos.. There is a good sticky if you go to the emergency section.. Keep us posted

 

[horsejody]

If it's that bad, I would suspect some sort of respiratory infection. I do think tha chickens can have allergies. My Rodney (JG roo) sneezes for a day whenever I change the bedding. It's mild sneezing with no drippy discharge and subsides quickly with no other symptoms. It doesn't seem to bother anybody else inthe coop.

 

[Lobzi]

All I can say is he is such a fighter. I added sugar to the antibiotics Im forcing down him as I can. He has not eaten nor drank anything voluntarily today.

 

[Lobzi]

I lost Roo this morning at 4:36 AM as the full moon shown down on us. He struggled all night long in my arms. I tried everything to, if not save him, at least make him more comfortable. He had been suffering from a head cold and then a respiratory ailment of some kind. On Saturday I noticed his crow had changed but I didnt think much of it until later that day I held him close and could hear him wheezing a bit. It was so nice and warm this past weekend I really felt he would be alright without intervention other than my bringing him in to warm him in the early morning. Monday I isolated him and started him on antibiotics. He was not that bad at that point, eating well, normal energy, normal poo. Only a very gurgley sounding crow had developed.


I will miss his beauty, lovely crow and sweet disposition.

Handsome Roo when I first got him:

Roo and Henny Penny (the hen I got for Roo but "she" turned out to be a "he")

My Roo, posing so majestically:

 

[sgtmom52]

I so sorry for your loss ~ he was a very handsome boy.