Is it possible for a chicken to be allergic to penicillin?

[Little Tweets]

My husband noticed that one of our pullets had a bad respiratory infection. He gave it a shot of penicillin and she completely went limp and started gasping for air. We immediately took her in and held her to hopefully calm her. She died in my daughters arms. We are so heartbroken. She was so docile and sweet.

We are completely dumbfounded as to what happened and wonder if she went into anaphalactic shock. Is that possible?

 

[CMV]

Yes. It's entirely possible. Antibiotic usage carries its own risks is what I tell everyone in the rare instances when I recommend using antibiotics. So sorry for your loss.

 

[chickengrl]

Where did he give the shot? I am really sorry about your hen. That's really awful. I was just wondering if it was misplaced in someway. Sorry you lost her that way.

 

[Little Tweets]

Well our first thought was that he had mis-poked her. She moved and he got her just under her left rib cage instead of the left thigh. I just don't think it could have been that because she started reacting as someone who is having an allergic reation to a drug.

 

[Nikkumz]

if he got her right under her rib, maybe he accidently punctured her heart or lung, if he flooded her lung with liquid that could be why she was gasping..?

 

[caspernc]

x2

 

[Little Tweets]

No, the lungs are not located under the ribcage and the heart is placed farther up so I can't see how that would be possible cause of death.