Labored breathing, mucus, not eating for 2 days.. please help!

[citychicks99]

It's best not to bath a bird that is sick, it's stressful for them. You don't want him to get chilled either.

Is there a way to wipe him down instead?

Good call. I'll just wipe him down with paper towels.

 

[citychicks99]

So it's going to be day 4 of treatment with Tylan 50 and I'm still hearing pretty loud breathing and rattling. At what point should I try another medication and what would that even be?

I also started feeling sick two days ago.. stuffy nose, coughing.. could this be from them? I was sick just last month for a week and I usually don't get sick too often.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If the Tylan is not effective, then you may be dealing with a virus instead of MG.

I would make sure their crops are emptying. Getting testing to see what you are dealing with is always a good idea. https://www.zoologix.com/

It could be coincidental about your getting sick, there's a few zoonotic illness you can pick up from chickens, but if you are washing your hands and practicing good hygiene you should be able to avoid those.

 

[citychicks99]

If the Tylan is not effective, then you may be dealing with a virus instead of MG.

I would make sure their crops are emptying. Getting testing to see what you are dealing with is always a good idea. https://www.zoologix.com/

It could be coincidental about your getting sick, there's a few zoonotic illness you can pick up from chickens, but if you are washing your hands and practicing good hygiene you should be able to avoid those.

Maybe I spoke too soon. Today is their last day on Tylan. I didn't see anymore gaping. They still have a little bit of mucus but a lot less than last week. I didn't hear any more phlegm on the pullet either. The cockerel still sounds like he has a little bit when I give him medicine but other than that, I'm not hearing much. They still won't eat much of their feed though but they'll eat every treat I give them, popcorn, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, eggs, apples. They wouldn't eat salmon, chicken, or ground turkey when I tried giving them that. I did notice that they ate all of their bedding (pine shavings).

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Maybe I spoke too soon. Today is their last day on Tylan. I didn't see anymore gaping. They still have a little bit of mucus but a lot less than last week. I didn't hear any more phlegm on the pullet either. The cockerel still sounds like he has a little bit when I give him medicine but other than that, I'm not hearing much. They still won't eat much of their feed though but they'll eat every treat I give them, popcorn, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, eggs, apples. They wouldn't eat salmon, chicken, or ground turkey when I tried giving them that. I did notice that they ate all of their bedding (pine shavings).

They ate all their bedding?
You do have grit available don't you?

What do you normally feed? I would try offering some wet feed to see if they will eat that. Scrambled egg may be enticing.

It's good that they seem to be improving, hopefully they will start to eat their normal feed. I'd make sure their crops are emptying overnight.

 

[citychicks99]

They ate all their bedding?
You do have grit available don't you?

What do you normally feed? I would try offering some wet feed to see if they will eat that. Scrambled egg may be enticing.

It's good that they seem to be improving, hopefully they will start to eat their normal feed. I'd make sure their crops are emptying overnight.

Yes, I give them grit free choice. The pullet takes it but I haven't been seeing the cockerel take any. I normally give them the flock raiser by Dumor. I do ferment it so it is wet when I give it to them. They used to love it but seem pretty picky about it right now. They do eat a little of it but seem to prefer treats. I do give them hard boiled eggs and they love that. I forgot to check their crops this morning. I won't be home tomorrow morning but I will check it on Monday morning.

The symptoms actually seem to come back after I give them the medicine. The pullet sneezed for a bit right after I dosed her today and after I dosed the cockerel, he started gaping a bit and more bubbling breathing. I checked 30 minutes later and he stopped doing that.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I don't think I shared this with you. It may be helpful when giving the meds. They may be aspirating a little of the medication if they get worse right when you give it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

 

[citychicks99]

I don't think I shared this with you. It may be helpful when giving the meds. They may be aspirating a little of the medication if they get worse right when you give it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

Thanks! I've bookmarked that article so I can refer to it next time.

The cockerel still sounds like he has a little phlegm in him from time to time but the both of them gobbled down their entire fermented feed. I refilled it twice in two hours and they ate most of it. Their poop is still dark green but is solidifying again. This makes me so happy. Is it common for them to go back to normal but still show some symptoms? It seems that they'll be carriers for life. Does the illness tend to return? I'm going to keep them indoors for a few more days just to make sure they're okay. Thanks so much for all your help!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Sometimes they can still have symptoms, hopefully those will subside as they get stronger.

If it's MG, then yes, they will be carriers for life. They can become sick again, usually during times of stress like molting, changes within the flock, if they develop an underlying condition that taxes their system (parasites)...things like that.

I'm glad they both seem to be getting better.

 

[citychicks99]

Sometimes they can still have symptoms, hopefully those will subside as they get stronger.

If it's MG, then yes, they will be carriers for life. They can become sick again, usually during times of stress like molting, changes within the flock, if they develop an underlying condition that taxes their system (parasites)...things like that.

I'm glad they both seem to be getting better.

If they get sick again, do I take the same steps, give them Tylan 50 for 5 days or should I change the antibiotic?