Info overload re: using antibiotics

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I just took my chickens to the vet a few weeks back for something similar. The head shaking, scratching, and stretched out gaping mouth is caused by congestion. Whether that is caused by an upper respiratory infection --where you would not see anything coming from the nose or eyes, or if it is caused by mold.. I don't know your situation. But the symptoms are being caused by something else. In my case, I'm thinking we had something viral since it lasted so long. If you have wet litter, mold, excessive dust, etc..? Of course, I wouldn't rule out worms, lice, mites, etc. Always a good thing to worm them. I had hoped my situation was going to be that simple too. But after dusting mine, and checking for bugs, and worming... they were still no better days later. Fortunately, I only had three sick that I had isolated. They took Baytril for 5 days injection. (.25 cc) And then VetRX for another week after that. But after everyone suggesting the same things you are getting-- our symptoms did indeed end up being congestion. (what they had, we don't know) Vet said their lungs were clear, so it had to be an upper respiratory (sinus) congestion. No discharge, but lots of sneezing, yawning, and head shaking and scratching. I'd put the VetRX in their water to help. I'm really sorry about your birds, I hope they do alright.
 
Thank you all for the feedback.

Here is an update. After reading all the encouragement to worm my chickens, I thought that made sense. I was concerned that the parasite load might have been lowering their Resistance to other illness as some of you had suggested. I separated and wormed 12 of my chickens with pasty bottoms or just for looking under weight. I used Valbazen. (It was somewhat traumatizing for them and me.) After the withdrawal period, they went back to the rest of the flock. I didn't do the whole flock at once because I have customers depending on a steady supply of eggs.

Some of them still have pasty bottoms, but they seem healthier and have put on weight.

The sweet Austrolorp that was so sick before began sneezing and gasping again. She is now isolated inside the coop back on antibiotics and VetRx. Bless her heart! As sick as she is, she is still laying the hugest eggs almost every day. I don't know if she will ever be well. I wonder if she will be contagious after the antibiotics even if she is still symptomatic
.
 
First mistake....once a chicken gets sick...esp. with anything that is respitory...you NEVER EVER EVER NEVER put them back in the flock even when they are well....many healthy looking birds are carriers of infectious coryza. You cull them, you give them to a friend or auction with a warning...etc. You NEVER let a sick chicken run around your house, you do not keep chickens in the house-why?? becasue those little microscopic funkies are getting on you, your chairs your clothes your choes and you are carrying it back to your very nice what was healthy large flock. And you dont want to be feeding any human eggs from a medicated bird for at least a month, I wait 2 following antibiotics.

I would HIGHLY recommend you treat your entire flock now with something like Sulmet and keep in mind that any new bird you bring in will be at risk, or risk your flock-works both ways. If it is infectious coryza-which it can be with symptoms youve described....you either live with it, or depopulate completely and wait about 8 months before adding new birds.

Worms dont cause head shaking unless they gotten to extreme levels. I personally do not believe or use wormers and never an issue. I do tho throw tobacco dust around......Id rather have eggs with nicotine ;) than with chemicals. Keep in mind what you put in, comes out in the eggs.

I hope it was just a fluke and everything works out....but if I were you its probably too late to pull sick ones...just treat ALL OF THEM. Good Luck...I feel your worry as I have lots of chickens myself.
 
Just another silly idea..but as mentioned above could be mites....but head shaking following wheezing is and continued wheezing is usually a respitory funk....still tho....I keep a burn pile and the free rangers love to roll in the ashes....its an old timers way to keep birds parasite free....perhaps if you have a burn pile or fireplace...take the ashes to your pen-more natural and safer way to clear up mites if you have them, but if you have them, flip em over and look at their fluff near the vents...may have to squint, but you will see them if you have them.
 
I always spray and medicate my birds when needed after dark. I just take a flash light to the coop, find my victim and keep their head away from the light unless I need it. That way they are sleepy and kind of floppy and just cluck quiet discontent with being roused from their sleep. Much less stressful than chasing them around and catching them in daylight.
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JosieChick said:
I always spray and medicate my birds when needed after dark. I just take a flash light to the coop, find my victim and keep their head away from the light unless I need it. That way they are sleepy and kind of floppy and just cluck quiet discontent with being roused from their sleep. Much less stressful than chasing them around and catching them in daylight.
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Click to expand...

Great tip! Thanks!
 
Isn't Sulmet for Coccidosis? They don't have that.

I was not suggesting that the respiratory and the possible parasite problem were related except that some suggested that a parasite overload can compromise their immune systems enough to make them more susceptable to secondary infections. I guess I didn't communicate that clearly.

I do worry obsessively.
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