One hen dead and another very sick. Definitely gape worm

[Little wifey]

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/gapeworms
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/respiratory-tract-infection

Thank you so much. This will be helpful for the future.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I know that you are skeptical of the gape worm infection as it’s rare, but I have done hours and days of researching and digging.

I did find a post on here that does describe closely my experience. Maybe you can search and find the page with the photo.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Nope not skeptical, just asking questions. While Gapeworm can be rare, it's not to be completely ruled out, but other illnesses and conditions should also be considered as well.

Yes, I've read that post before. It's very sad indeed. It's the one and only post ever made by that member and it looks like they assumed they were treating with 2 different dewormers when both are actually pretty much the same. They tried an antibiotic and another dewormer too, but sadly it sounds like the hen may have aspirated as well. Tragically, in the end, regardless of treatment the hen was put out of her misery.

A lot of times this is what happens, no matter what type of treatment is given, a bird may still decline. Getting a necropsy and testing through the state lab so you know for sure what was the cause of the symptoms will arm you with information going forward. This way you may be able to recognize the illness/symptoms and get the correct treatment going right away.

 

[Little wifey]

I'm sorry for your loss.

Nope not skeptical, just asking questions. While Gapeworm can be rare, it's not to be completely ruled out, but other illnesses and conditions should also be considered as well.

Yes, I've read that post before. It's very sad indeed. It's the one and only post ever made by that member and it looks like they assumed they were treating with 2 different dewormers when both are actually pretty much the same. They tried an antibiotic and another dewormer too, but sadly it sounds like the hen may have aspirated as well. Tragically, in the end, regardless of treatment the hen was put out of her misery.

A lot of times this is what happens, no matter what type of treatment is given, a bird may still decline. Getting a necropsy and testing through the state lab so you know for sure what was the cause of the symptoms will arm you with information going forward. This way you may be able to recognize the illness/symptoms and get the correct treatment going right away.

Good advice. Thank you kindly. I’m thankful I at least found this website and how to use it.

 

[NatJ]

I lost one hen to gape worm...I now have another with it.

she past yesterday morning.

Were those your only chickens?

If you have other chickens still alive, it might be worth having an autopsy on the one that died. That way you will know for sure what you are dealing with. Gapeworms are supposed to be large enough to see, even without a microscope. (And if the autopsy is done by a lab, they may be able to tell if you are dealing with gapeworms that are resistant to specific treatments-- which would be good to know for the future!)

 

[Little wifey]

Were those your only chickens?

If you have other chickens still alive, it might be worth having an autopsy on the one that died. That way you will know for sure what you are dealing with. Gapeworms are supposed to be large enough to see, even without a microscope. (And if the autopsy is done by a lab, they may be able to tell if you are dealing with gapeworms that are resistant to specific treatments-- which would be good to know for the future!)

Yes I have 13 more chickens. I’m going to start treatment with safe guard tomorrow. Two are coughing or sneezing and shaking their heads. I will follow the protocol from poultry dmv posted above. Thank you for your advice. I appreciate you

 

[NatJ]

Yes I have 13 more chickens.

Even if you don't send the dead one off for a professional autopsy, you might want to cut open the throat and look (and maybe take a picture for reference). If you find gapeworms it makes you more sure of what she had. And if you do not find them, it gives you a head start on looking for what else may be causing this. (I know it can be unpleasant to cut open a chicken you raised and were fond of, but the information might help treat the other ones and thus save some of them.)

 

[Kiki]

Gapeworm is highly unlikely.
A respiratory disease making it difficult for her to breathe is much more likely.

 

[Kiki]

Yes I have 13 more chickens. I’m going to start treatment with safe guard tomorrow. Two are coughing or sneezing and shaking their heads. I will follow the protocol from poultry dmv posted above. Thank you for your advice. I appreciate you

What information are you talking about from Poultry DMV? There are a lot of errors on that website.

 

[NatJ]

What information are you talking about from Poultry DMV? There are a lot of errors on that website.

Probably the ones listed in an earlier post in this thread:

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/gapeworms
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/respiratory-tract-infection

 

[Chipmunk Chicks]

I'm very sorry you lost your birds. I hope you are able to find an effective course of action to spare the rest of your flock.