Mouth breathing, and limping

[Hughes Wildlife Farm]

6months old. Buff Polish Crested hen.
Dolly has been mouth breathing, started with sneezing a week ago, but stopped sneezing this week, but is now struggling to grab a breath about 5 days now. No runny eyes, no weezing, no runny nose. Very clear breaths. I have checked her throat for worms n abstractions, but looks really clear and a perfect pink color. Eats n drinks fine, and poos are normal. Not yet producing eggs. The oil substance in the pic by her nostrils is "VetRx" I have been applying for many days by nostrils and under wings.

She is in a full secure run and coop with roosting posts only up to 6 inches off the ground, and tons of open space, so hard to trip or jump to high and hurt herself (but she is a chicken and I know they will find a way to injure ones self)
Now for 3 days, she won't use her left leg... She hobbled than just stops and lays down. She will let me move her leg n toes and knees, no clicking or swelling from hip all the way down, she doesnt seem to care as I move it around. She has been isolated (2days now) to limit her movements and incase of respiratory, dont want the others affected. I am very worried I could be dealing with somthing different. Unless there is somthing else that could cause lame leg and hard breathing

 

[azygous]

You are to be commended on the wealth of information you've provided. Usually, it's, "My hen is sick, what's wrong with her?" and we have to sweat the information out of the OP over several posts to get enough to come up with a clue.

It could be more than just a respiratory disease, but it would be wise to start there and treat and see what happens. Tylan or amoxicillin or even injectible penicillin would be antibiotics to try. Ask at your feed store or pigeon supply shop or order here. https://pet-healthcare.revivalanimal.com/search?p=Q&ts=custom&w=fish antibiotics

Dolly is so sweet, I hope she starts feeling better soon.

 

[Hughes Wildlife Farm]

Hopefully, it is not Mareks disease, but that is also a reason sometimes for limping. She is at the right age, and it would be something to rule out. Was she vaccinated?

She was not, and I did have 3 of her flock mates that tipped over with leg paralysed and all 3 passed.. I will not rule it out, as the breeder informed me they forgot to vaccinate prior to shipping... But Dolly is not tipped over, rather she is limping instead..
And I will not be adding to my flock since I believe I may have Meark's.. Next chicken to fall out, is getting a norcopsy done.

 

[azygous]

I forgot to mention that respiratory issues can also affect the legs in some cases.

 

[Hughes Wildlife Farm]

I was thinking to start amoxicillin too. But other than gasping n struggling to grab a breathe, I didnt see signs of respiratory issues. But I guess I need to start somewhere rather than do nothing at all.. Not like a boost of antibiotic hurts.. So i will start there.
Thank you!

 

[azygous]

If you order from Rival, get some of this, too. https://www.revivalanimal.com/product/oxine-animal-health-ah?sku=15101-801 You can mix it in some water in a vaporizer or mister and it can help treat bacterial as well as fungal respiratory infections.

 

[Eggcessive]

Hopefully, it is not Mareks disease, but that is also a reason sometimes for limping. She is at the right age, and it would be something to rule out. Was she vaccinated?

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry that you are dealing with likely Mareks. Sometimes I wonder if the virus is that common everywhere, or if the breeder had Mareks in their environment, and vaccinated all of their chicks, hoping that it helped prevent the disease. After spending a decade reading this forum, I would be afraid to get chicks or older birds from anyone. I have mostly bought my chicks from a hatchery, except for once, and I won’t do that ever again.

 

[azygous]

What are the amounts of B and E vitamins in the Rooster Booster? The only thing left to try would be increasing those vitamins on the chance they can repair any neurological damage and strengthen the legs. I would use whole people vitamins and give them right into the beak without mixing, dissolving or diluting.

If this little patient doesn't respond to these vitamins, we are left to conclude this is indeed Marek's.

 

[azygous]

The E and B are way too skimpy. I would use the people vitamins whole strength.