Multiple issues in hen; looking for ideas on what is wrong?

[kabaluch76]

Hi,
I will probably not be any help, but have a similar problem. I have one hen who has been sounding almost like a goose, kind of honking and an occasional sneeze. She has had this for a month. I started her on antibiotics Oxytetracyclin 2 weeks ago. She hasn't gotten any better and doesn't sound any worse. Put all my girls on it, was afraid she had infected them before I got her isolated. My roo got sick and died within 4 days. I'm at my wits end. I really don't want to have cull all my girls. I have 29.

Just letting you know, it can be frustrating , wish they could tell me what's wrong.

 

[seminolewind]

I think that Tylan is good, people like Baytril, Penicillin is good for respiratory issues like pneumonia. If she has bumblefoot and some respiratory symptom, it may not be a respiratory ailment per se, but some kind of sepsis that is also affecting her lungs or bronchioles. You may want to dig that knot out as well.

 

[PaisyQ]

I think that Tylan is good, people like Baytril, Penicillin is good for respiratory issues like pneumonia. If she has bumblefoot and some respiratory symptom, it may not be a respiratory ailment per se, but some kind of sepsis that is also affecting her lungs or bronchioles. You may want to dig that knot out as well.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'll be going back into her foot tomorrow. I don't think the Tylan is doing her any good. After reading a bit more, I don't think her symptoms indicate it's use. I want to try the penicillin to help with the bumblefoot, and I'm trying to decide on one of the tetracyclines to possibly try for her congestion. Of course, it all depends a bit on what the tractor supply carries.

 

[seminolewind]

True.

 

[MrsBrooke]

Here is what it looks like when the entire core is removed. Sorry you've gotta go in a second time. :/

Baytril is only available with a prescription from a vet, unfortunately. Something about antibiotic resistance or the like.

I feel like you'll see a turn-around in your hen once you get the core out. If the Tylan isn't clearing up her resp issuees, I'm with @seminolewind that it sounds like it may stem from the bumblefoot.

Keep is updated.

MrsB

 

[PaisyQ]

Well, just finished a three hour stint of bumblefoot surgery. I was right, we didn't get it all out the first time.

I first tried making a new cut over the place where I was feeling the hard bump. This didn't work at all; her foot bled so much after I made the initial cut I couldn't get a clear view of anything. I ended up going back to the original infection location. What surprised me when I got that open is that the infection had grown back to the surface at this spot. That helped a bit, since I was able to follow that down to the lumps. She bled a lot this time. So much more than the original time, it made things very difficult. I was able to remove two rather sizeable lumps though, so that was good. And I no longer feel the hard bump. Problem is one of the lumps broke a bit, and left a stringy bit in. I was trying to follow this down, but it went deep, and it would break as I pulled it out. I eventually lost it, and couldn't find it back again, so I'm afraid there is still infection in there. I wasn't able to get the penicillin today, because of the storm yesterday I am still waiting for my driveway to be cleared out, but I should be able to get that tomorrow.

I guess if nothing else I'm learning a lot. Just wish my chicken didn't have to suffer for it.

 

[MrsBrooke]

Well, just finished a three hour stint of bumblefoot surgery. I was right, we didn't get it all out the first time.

I first tried making a new cut over the place where I was feeling the hard bump. This didn't work at all; her foot bled so much after I made the initial cut I couldn't get a clear view of anything. I ended up going back to the original infection location. What surprised me when I got that open is that the infection had grown back to the surface at this spot. That helped a bit, since I was able to follow that down to the lumps. She bled a lot this time. So much more than the original time, it made things very difficult. I was able to remove two rather sizeable lumps though, so that was good. And I no longer feel the hard bump. Problem is one of the lumps broke a bit, and left a stringy bit in. I was trying to follow this down, but it went deep, and it would break as I pulled it out. I eventually lost it, and couldn't find it back again, so I'm afraid there is still infection in there. I wasn't able to get the penicillin today, because of the storm yesterday I am still waiting for my driveway to be cleared out, but I should be able to get that tomorrow.

I guess if nothing else I'm learning a lot. Just wish my chicken didn't have to suffer for it.

You did awesome.

Just keep in mind that chickens are not mammals and experience what we consider "pain" very differently than other animals do.

Stuff the hole full of triple antibiotic ***without painkiller*** and see where we are again in a day or so. Sometimes, you can "pop" the infection out like a pimple by pressing on the backside.

Bumblefoot's no joke... Your chicken will thank you for the TLC.

MrsB

 

[Akrnaf2]

I think that you must think again about the use of antibiotic ! There is a lot of pathogens that can cause respiratory problems, like viruses, and worms, the boat aren׳t affected by antibiotics. Mis -use of antibiotic can disbalanse the microflora of the chicken and cause a proliferation of Candida albicans , a fungi that can cause problems in the chicken crop( the fungi and bacteria are in a competition in the chicken and microbes keeps the fungi in bay, the use of antibiotics kill the bacteria bout don't kill the fungi which is an eucariotic cell. In this situation the fungi can grow un controlled!) so if you use antibiotics you must use also probiotic or anti fungi treatment simultaneously! I advice you worming your floc first of all and than see if the situation is improving , than give here vitamins( deficiency in some vitamins can also cause pseudo respiratory illnesses) and than and only than i would use antibiotics combined whit probiotics and anti fungi treatment!

 

[PaisyQ]

Thought I would update this, as it has been a while.

Let's see if I can remember the order of events. ;P Her resperitory symptoms cleared up, apparently on their own a couple days after the bumblefoot surgery. She was on Tylan for a little while, but that never seemed to do anything. It was about 5 days after I stopped the Tylan that the panting and congestion stopped. At any rate, that has been gone for a while now, and all seems well on that end.

I did decide to try the Penicillin, and an iodine/sugar poultice I read about. Since I am certain I did not get all the infection out, I am hoping the two of those would work to kill off what remained. I ended treatment with both of those about 4 days ago. Her foot looks a lot better. The swelling seems to be almost completely gone, and the color is better to. I thought I would add a couple of pictures; one with flash, one without. I'm hoping this all looks normal.



Her behavior is still good. She eats, drinks, and acts like a nut just as she always has. She did stop laying for about a week and a half, but now is back to her regular schedule. She seems to really enjoy being indoors. But then, since temperatures have been in the teens during the day around here, and down into the negative digits at night, I don't really blame her. Which actually brings me to another question. I'm ready to reintegrate her to the flock; but is it safe for her to deal with the temperature extreme? She's been used to being in the house for a long time now, will she be able to adjust back to the cold outside?