Newbie Owner- Sneezing and discolored comb

[agingerbrunette]

I'm going to go through the recommended information to try and do this right. Photo attached of chicken in question. I have a video but haven't figured out how to upload it.

** EDIT - After further research I believe she is coughing not sneezing!**
1. Type of bird, age, weight? Bantam (maybe cross), few years old but not sure of age, she seems slightly smaller than her two daughters.

2. What is the behavior? Never before handled. I think shes sneezing but no discharge noticed. When I'm not around she is much calmer and not symptom free but it is not half as noticeable. I'm concerned with upper respiratory and/or simply not receiving enough oxygen due to her comb color. We're in southern Louisiana and it is high 90's at parts of the day with 80% humidity while her two daughters are panting as expected she seems to have her neck stretched out and it's almost more of a gasp than a pant. She's also the only one who is opening her wings to help cool off. They are in a shaded area, have a fan, and we're changing the water out 2-3 times a day to make sure it stays cool.

3. How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? I have only had her since Wednesday night and she was given to me in this condition.

4. Are other birds exhibiting symptoms? No. She was given to me with two other birds neither of which are having any issues.

5. Any trauma or signs of trauma? Does not show any signs of trauma. Her comb is not in the best of shape but does not look recent.

6. What happened is anything that you know of that may have caused the situation? To my knowledge her and the other two have been separated from the flock for almost two weeks. I can only think stress may have been a factor as she has never been handled.

7. What has the bird been eating or drinking? I do not know what she was eating or drinking prior to wednesday. It was unexpected to have received the birds and I only had medicated starter grower which is what she has been provided with. I have not seen her eat, however she does not react act around people and hides under the other birds.

8. How does the poop look? Normal

9. What treatment has been administered? None, other than the medicated feed. I am 100% a newbie and don't know where to start.

10. What is treatment intention self treat or vet? I am willing to do either. As she doesn't take well to being handled I would prefer self treat to cut back on stress but I am willing to take her to a vet.

11. Housing, bedding? Currently in a small cage with a roost that is being moved through the grass as the coop is not yet complete.

 

[agingerbrunette]

I haven't received any replies which is pretty disappointing but I didn't know what else to do and brought her to the vet. We decided to do a full blood panel and are waiting for the results. Just in case anyone else has this issue I wanted to keep it updated.

 

[micstrachan]

Sorry, I missed your first post. What did the vet say about her bluish comb? No respiratory or crop issues? I hope the blood work reveals something you can treat.

 

[agingerbrunette]

The main information he gave me was that the wheezing sounds and coughing sounds were not coming from her lungs but from her trachea. There was never any ocular or nasal discharge. We did decide to do a full blood panel and sent it to university of Georgia and that was 9 days ago today so I’m very anxious to get the bloodwork back.

Infectious bronchitis was negative
Ms PCR was negative

Still waiting on Mg PCR and need to make a decision as to whether or not I should move forward with doing an ILT and newcastle test.

 

[agingerbrunette]

** UPDATE **

Infectious Bronchitis - Negative
Ms PCR - Negative
Mg PCR- Positive but only for immunity which means exposure not our issue
ILT - Negative
Newcastle - Negative

It has been decided among my self and the vet that the only true way to get an answer will be a necropsy. All chickens are doing well and if another chicken exhibits advanced symptons we will cull for necropsy. I will continue to keep this post updated for anyone who may be in a similar situation.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

** UPDATE **

Infectious Bronchitis - Negative
Ms PCR - Negative
Mg PCR- Positive but only for immunity which means exposure not our issue
ILT - Negative
Newcastle - Negative

It has been decided among my self and the vet that the only true way to get an answer will be a necropsy. All chickens are doing well and if another chicken exhibits advanced symptons we will cull for necropsy. I will continue to keep this post updated for anyone who may be in a similar situation.

Wow, you have gone above and beyond to find out. Glad to hear they seem to be doing better. I have been following but not posting because I had nothing helpful to add, but think I may have an infected flock as well.

I have a question. How does the Mg PCR result show immunity only? I thought PCR tests involved growing live cultures of the infectious organism from a throat swab, and the specific bacteria is identified from the culture. Immunity is found from a blood test. I'm no expert, but am hoping you can explain the test and results a little more. If a bird has immunity, can it ever become infectious again (have symptoms)?

Hoping you won't have to cull. In Europe, they control poultry mycoplasmas with Denagard. It is not approved for poultry in the US, but they do sell it for swine (it's the same stuff).

 

[agingerbrunette]

Wow, you have gone above and beyond to find out. Glad to hear they seem to be doing better. I have been following but not posting because I had nothing helpful to add, but think I may have an infected flock as well.

I have a question. How does the Mg PCR result show immunity only? I thought PCR tests involved growing live cultures of the infectious organism from a throat swab, and the specific bacteria is identified from the culture. Immunity is found from a blood test. I'm no expert, but am hoping you can explain the test and results a little more. If a bird has immunity, can it ever become infectious again (have symptoms)?

Hoping you won't have to cull. In Europe, they control poultry mycoplasmas with Denagard. It is not approved for poultry in the US, but they do sell it for swine (it's the same stuff).

Hi Wishing4wings! I'm glad to know the information or lack thereof has been useful to someone. From my understanding the Mg pcr doesn't show immunity, that was my mistake, but exposure, the best way I understood it was if you get a TB test and it shows exposure but not infection it's similar to that and I meant to make the correction but couldn't figure out how to edit.

The current plan rather than simply poking and prodding is if one of them gets to the advanced stage of whatever is going on he or she will be culled and sent for a necropsy which will hopefully give us an answer. Luckily, everyone seems to be healthy at this time but I will continue to keep this thread updated if we get answers.