Infectious Coryza???

[Michael Apple]

There is no cure for respiratory diseases, only treatments. Sulfa drugs including sulmet treat coryza. The problem is that since the sulmet is mixed in water, sick birds wont drink, and if they do it's usually not enough to be effective. Additionally there's a possibility that mycoplasma gallisepticum might be a player as well. Coryza sick birds exude a foul odor around the head area. If there's no foul odor, you could be dealing with a severe strain of mycoplasma gallisepticum instead of coryza. Sulmet is ineffective against MG.
I recommend that you have a necropsy performed on your sickest bird with the University of Georgia vet med school to find out exactly what you're dealing with or contact your county extension agent. Your other option is to cull your sick birds, disinfect everything and wait several months before repopulating.

X2. I also believe a necropsy is in order here. Oxine AH is also a valuable sanitizer to always keep on hand around the barn and coop:
http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/oxine.htm

 

[salt and pepper]

X2. I also believe a necropsy is in order here. Oxine AH is also a valuable sanitizer to always keep on hand around the barn and coop:
http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/oxine.htm

I'll try to get a necropsy, are you positive that it's viral? If you are, would it be a good choice to cull, and start over? I would hate to, but if it means that my new birds would be healthy....

 

[Michael Apple]

I'll try to get a necropsy, are you positive that it's viral? If you are, would it be a good choice to cull, and start over? I would hate to, but if it means that my new birds would be healthy....

I can't be positive it is viral. Bacterial infections are easier to overcome though with the right medication.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. If we were to cull every bird that showed symptoms of CRD, they would be an endangered species, or there wouldn't be any. When we treat symptoms with the correct antibiotics/medication, and symptoms persist in a flock, it is best to list the symptoms and medications used, and present a sacrificial bird to a local lab. Here is a list of state labs that may be able to help: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/poultry/downloads/labs_app.pdf

I once had a Plymouth Rock hen which would not recover from treatment for suspected Coccidiosis, enteritis, or Histomoniasis for 2 months. I surrendered her to a local lab to find out there was oviduct cancer with a secondary infection of E. coli because of the reproductive cancer. Nothing I could have done. I hope you find a solution to the problem. One thing to note is that Chronic Respiratory Disease comes on slowly and takes time to overcome.

 

[casportpony]

Another option would be to draw blood, get a throat swab, fecal sample and send them off to one of labs in Georgia to verify what disease/infection you're dealing with. I have no idea how much that would cost at your labs, but it's probably worth looking into.

Two labs in Georgia:

• http://www.gapoultrylab.org/
• http://www.vet.uga.edu/dlab/

Labs by State:

• http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

-Kathy

 

[Michael Apple]

Most state labs not charge a fee to the average backyard flock owner. If they do, it is minimal.

 

[casportpony]

California does free necropsies, limit two now, but charges for tests, go figure... Makes no sense to me, you'd think they would be free.

-Kathy

 

[salt and pepper]

Thanks so much for the help, I'll look into the swab, and blood tests! Hopefully it's free. I was thinking of culling, but if there is no way for me to know for sure unless a test, I'll do the test!

 

[casportpony]

Georgia Poultry Laboratory monitoring test and supply charges as of 01/01/2013
Tests

Fees
MG/MS PLATE TEST $0.50
MGMS Elisa $1.00
HI MG or MS $1.00
Other ELISA $1.50
Other HI $1.00
AI Surveillance $0.50
AGID AI $1.00
Diagnostic Necropsy N/C
Histo out of state charge only (per slide) $5.00
Virus isolation out of state charge only $50.00
All PCR (IBV, Mycoplasma, LT, etc) $15.00
PCR AI $15.00
Pullorum tube with band $0.35
Pullorum plate with band $0.35
Salmonella Culture - $6.00
Salmonella Culture + $17.00
BAX PCR Salmonella test $15.00
SE screen test $5.00
VIP or SDI Salm test $8.00
Water: Bacteria Panel $7.00
Water: Anion Panel- 24 tests (now done at Macro-Micro)
$40.00

 

[Michael Apple]

$15 isn't bad for the full respiratory test. That's the one I would suggest.

 

[salt and pepper]

This is a lot cheaper than I thought, I will definitley show this to the boss =) Thanks so much for helping, and I will remember to tell you what happens!