Labored breathing in peachick

[Nutz245]

I am new to peafowl and I am not sure what to do with this little gal. A few days ago she started showing symptoms of coccidiosis. I started her on Corid. She seems to have improved considerably since then. I noticed this evening during our play session that she would sit on my hand and her breathing seems labored. I can also hear like a clicking or rattle in her breathing as well. She seems fine otherwise and is eating, drinking and acting normal. There are 3 peachicks in this lot which were all hatched here and have been kept in the brooder box area since hatching. They are just over 3 weeks old. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Kedreeva]

The typical solution to respiratory distress is some form of Tylan dose. I don't remember the dose for a bird that young though. If I were going to dose here, I would try a quarter CC of tylan 200 sub-q... but I can't say whether that's a good idea or not.

 

[Nutz245]

I've been searching all over the forums and I am wondering if it is the worms I have been reading about. Also if the Tylan would have any interaction with the corid. I was considering the Tylan and I was hoping to get some input from some of you more experienced folks before I took that step.

 

[Kedreeva]

I had considered that, but it's really unlikely to be worms if you've only ever had them inside. If they have had access to eating bugs or real soil, then I would consider worms, but it doesn't sound like they've been outdoors where they could pick them up.

 

[AugeredIn]

See my PM. I agree with Kedreeva. Most likely not worms or even coccidiosis. Use the Tylan and make sure you are getting high energy food and water in it.

 

[Kedreeva]

You can get water with electrolytes in it at the baby part of any large store like walmart. Pedialyte is an unflavored electrolyte water that is safe for them to drink and may do some good.

If you can, hard boiled egg yolks are a good starting place. Augeredin is correct about the food and water- giving your chick's body what it needs to fight is going to do a lot to tip the scales in its favor.

 

[Nutz245]

Thank you so much for the information.
I'm sorry but I did fail to mention that I did have them outside in the grass about a week ago. I have 2 semi free roaming chickens and 15 ducks living in the pond here as well. We stayed in the lawn grass in a confined area. All 3 of the birds have green squishy poop. This is where my lack of experience with peafowl makes me want to bang my head against the wall. I have no clue what color or consistency is normal. I've never even been around them to be honest. I can tell you that they are the most fun of any bird I have hatched from and egg and as curious as any cat I have seen. Lots of fun. But I know birds can take a nose dive on you in an hour and everything goes bad if you don't respect what they are telling you. The other 2 peachicks haven't shown any signs of sickness at all. Other than the squishy poo which concerned me a tad.

I will give the one showing the labored breathing 1/4 cc of the Tylan every day until I see some improvement and leave them on the medicated starter for now with the green bean and tuna treats in the mornings and evenings. She does seem to eat and drink fine but isn't as adamant as the other 2 begging for the treats. Also I think I will try the pedilite baby water. What a wonderful idea.

Thank you again

 

[quailgal]

I also would agree with Kedreeva although it's really difficult to know what's causing this. Be extremely careful when giving injections. A good vitamin/mineral supplement could help. If others become infected consider getting a necropsy at a state or university sponsored lab where they'll do it cheaper than private vet.

 

[Kedreeva]

I also would agree with Kedreeva although it's really difficult to know what's causing this. Be extremely careful when giving injections.

The easiest way to give it is subcutaneously between their shoulders/wings. Never inject it into their muscles, especially not their breast muscles. Just take a bit of skin between their wings, lift it away from the body a little, slide the needle into the flap of skin so it will inject between the skin and the body- so it's free under the skin. Its body will absorb it

For a good poop reference... have some disgusting but useful photos. http://chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=17568.0

 

[Nutz245]

Thank you all for the good information. She is doing much better now but there is still some rattling in there when she breathes. She is eating and drinking good. I think I got the first injection a little too far forward and it irritated her neck a bit. I cut it to 1/8cc 2 times per day because it seemed like a lot for her little body to absorb in one sitting. That did seem to be more comfortable for her (except for the extra hole). I'm pretty sure I seen in the forums to not exceed 5 days with the tylan 200 so I will stop soon.

I have tried treating sick birds with diet, vitamins, old timey remedies, etc and have lost them. I will NEVER sit idle and watch one of my birds perish without doing everything I can for them. It has been my experience to attack an illness in a bird at the very first sign of symptoms or risk losing it very quickly. Thank you all for sharing your experience with me and I hope to add something that will help someone else along the way. Remember....Not all pets have fur!