Labored breathing and yellow nitrates

[bhawk-23]

I've attached a short video of her breathing and a picture of her poop with yellow nitrates.

Taco is a dutch bantam cross, about 1year old.
Flock has confirmed mycoplasma and Merak's.
She was not doing well a few months back but mostly recovered after a tylosin treatment and extra care.

July- flock had safeguard and tylosin treatment.
August- flock had corid treatment
September- had Denagard treatment.
Diet is layer crumbles and pellets available 24/7.
Free access to grit and calcium.
Free range all day.

Labored breathing started last night.
She has had the yellow nitrates on and off since June.
Has not laid an egg since May.
She is still eating.
I've not seen her drink yet today.
Treated water with denagard and made mash with it last night.
Taco ate the heck out of some scrambled eggs last night and some more this morning.
She ate a small amount of mash this morning.

Question: Attempt to treat with a different antibiotic because of the yellow nitrates? No other flock member has/had this symptom.
OR
Euthanize based off current medical diagnosis and her labored breathing. I DO NOT want her to suffer.
Taco is my favorite. I've grown extremely attached to her. Losing my flock one by one is taking it's toll, mentally and emotionally. I prefer to treat her if possible. But I am willing to let go to avoid any suffering.

One flock mate that was necropsied had lesions and dense lungs. Basically suffocating when I found her. She went down in 12 hrs, overnight. We have lost 2 more the same way. These girls were found laying down, leaning and had no response to treats or me picking them up. Taco still wants treats and talks to me. I'm at a loss on attempting to treat or letting her go.
Any help, advice or just wisdom is extremely appreciated. This has been a long, difficult and sometimes traumatic few months.

 

[Eggcessive]

The yellow is urates, normally white, is chicken urine. When they turn yellow, there may be ascites (water belly) or liver disease, associated with a reproductive disorder, cancer, or heart failure. Feel of her lower belly between her legs to see if it is distended or tight. Add water to a little of her chicken feed in a bowl, and to any food she eats. Dehydration may increase the urates in poop. Does she normally lay eggs? It is difficult to deal with 2 separate possibly fatal diseases. MG symptoms can be treated with certain antibiotics.

 

[bhawk-23]

The yellow is urates, normally white, is chicken urine. When they turn yellow, there may be ascites (water belly) or liver disease, associated with a reproductive disorder, cancer, or heart failure. Feel of her lower belly between her legs to see if it is distended or tight. Add water to a little of her chicken feed in a bowl, and to any food she eats. Dehydration may increase the urates in poop. Does she normally lay eggs? It is difficult to deal with 2 separate possibly fatal diseases. MG symptoms can be treated with certain antibiotics.

Her abdomen between her legs is a bit swollen and tight. It appears to be painful. I've never had a chicken react by squatting down and making a slight sqeak when I've put slight pressure on them. I think she really hurts Not sure it's hard like an egg though.

I feed the flock fresh mash every morning and they have access to the pellets/crumbles 24/7.

Multiple fresh water bowls given daily.

The tylosin in June and end of July was for the MG. I changed to Denagard this month.

She has not laid for months. But I thought in August and early Sept she was looking really good! I was actually quite shocked and extremely thrilled with her recovery. I really enjoy her company and calling out for me

She is not drinking water. I did feed her 3 grapes cut up hoping that would help. Should I syringe some water?

 

[bhawk-23]

@Eggcessive

I put some straw in the crate. Her breathing became more labored after jumping into the box and moving some straw around. Will perk up a second, pick at the straw and then go back to labored breathing and eyes slightly closed. Should I try a calcium?

And after feeling her belly and now her laying down I can hear some, what sounds to me like, gut noises.

 

[bhawk-23]

Here's a video of her breathing and the gut noises. The loudest one is near the end of the video.

 

[bhawk-23]

Tagging some more people who have helped me in the past. Not sure how I would manage all these difficult situations and decisions without you all!

@dawg53 @azygous @MrsK @casportpony
@Wyorp Rock
I know there are more but my brain is mush right now.

 

[azygous]

I would guess Marek's tumors are growing on her organs and causing organ shutdown. The rattles we hear on the video are typical of compromised cardio pulmonary function likely from tumors.

I've seen this in my flock that carries the leucosis virus, similar to Marek's.

 

[bhawk-23]

I would guess Marek's tumors are growing on her organs and causing organ shutdown. The rattles we hear on the video are typical of compromised cardio pulmonary function likely from tumors.

I've seen this in my flock that carries the leucosis virus, similar to Marek's.

Thank you. This is my fear and worst nightmare. If her lungs have the same lesions then there is no good outcome.
When the Dr explained to me about the lungs on the necropsied hen I didn't hesitate whatsoever when I found the next 2 girls in similar positions. But my attachment to Taco is affecting my judgement.

I'm trying not to have favorites anymore so this won't happen.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you check her for a stuck egg by inserting a finger gently into her vent? If you think it is eggbinding a human calcium tablet with d3 can be given. It is always hard to guess what the exact problem is while they are alive. Having Mareks in the flock, her illness may be connected. Some people will try draining ascites fluid from the belly to relieve pressure and ease breathing. It can be done with an 18 gauge needle inserted just into the abdominal wall. I have used a smaller needle (22gauge) on a bantam because that was all I had, and it worked. ) It is not without risk of infection, and more rarely, death.

 

[bhawk-23]

Can you check her for a stuck egg by inserting a finger gently into her vent? If you think it is eggbinding a human calcium tablet with d3 can be given. It is always hard to guess what the exact problem is while they are alive. Having Mareks in the flock, her illness may be connected. Some people will try draining ascites fluid from the belly to relieve pressure and ease breathing. It can be done with an 18 gauge needle inserted just into the abdominal wall. I have used a smaller needle (22gauge) on a bantam because that was all I had, and it worked. ) It is not without risk of infection, and more rarely, death.

She is resting comfortably, has eaten and drank some. She does not appear to be in extreme discomfort so I've decided to give it another night and recheck in the morning.

I have the calcium recommended on here and have used it for my full sized hens. Would I give a quarter of it since she is about 1/4 or less the weight?

I'm not sure how comfortable I am with a needle aspiration but I will pick up some needles at the pharmacy tomorrow morning after school drop off.

I have pretty much reserved myself to everything has to do with the MG and/or Marek's. The question is, are they suffering and can I fix it? Outside of that there is little I can do, and I hate this.

Thank you.