pneumonia, day 10 with meds and no improvement - what to do?

[speckledhen]

If he has a virus, then no antibiotics will do him any good. I rather agree with Cuban Longtails on this one.


Olive oil is fabulous for circulation and a very nutritious oil, so perhaps olive leaf extract would be something to remember in the future. I routinely give my birds extra virgin olive oil and you should see them glow the rest of the day.

 

[technodoll]

OK I will look for olive leaf extract here, thank you!

No more antibiotics as of tomorrow and if Sunshine does not show any signs of improving by next weekend (that will be 2 weeks in the house), then I doubt he is strong enough to withstand these long winters and I cannot risk him infecting the rest of my flock... I am willing to give him a chance to get better BUT he has to show some signs of recuperation you know?? Otherwise...

Already have two of my best layers (older sexlinks) coming down with the same thing, I now need to focus on them too.

Can i PLEASE have my freaking bathroom back?

sorry... just extremely frustrated at this point. I feel cursed!

 

[Katy]

Quote:
If your other birds are already coming down with it it's pretty safe to say it's something that even if they recover from the odds are they'll remain carriers for life. I'd start culling any bird that shows even the slightest symptom.

 

[technodoll]

They're my babies, I am not culling anyone unless it is strictly necessary (ie, extremely infectious bird that would wipe out my whole flock, etc).

I have to do my best to cure.

My two sex links that have coughing and nasal discharge caught it 10 days ago when my coop was freezing cold and humidity was 100%, I have since fixed the issue and the girls were better after 5 days of antibiotics but have now started to get worse again - and it's gotten cold and wet again here.

Coop humidity is around 80% though, which is good considering it's 95% outside and as cold as siberia.

The rest of the flock (20 birds) are all doing fine.

My gosh I hate this brutal winter already

 

[speckledhen]

Whether you treat or cull is entirely up to you, hon, but if it's something that is contagious to your other birds, there just is not a cure. You can fix symptoms, but you just cannot cure many of these carrier-type diseases they catch. That's what carrier means, that they will always be a danger to other birds. We just want you to make an informed decision--I realize how hard this is, I really do.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
This could be exactly what you're going to be dealing with. I know it sounds harsh, but there are CRDs that can wipe out your flock.

 

[technodoll]

What frustrates me is that there is NO vet I can take my roo to for a diagnosis - I live in a very backwards place

I have decided to pull him off all meds and if he shows the tiniest sign of improvement by the weekend, I will keep him in the house until he gets better. If he does not get better, my friend is going to come over to end his life before he suffers any longer. Not that he's suffering, he seems quite well actually but if he's going to be sick all his life there is no point.

I have de-loused him, fixed his eye infection, had him in the house for 2 weeks before on meds, he was de-wormed and coddled and is being fed the best food, given all the care I can... at what point is it enough?

I am tired and have the rest of the flock to worry about

It's one sick bird after another.

I am VERY tired.

 

[Katy]

I don't know how the Canadian system works, but is there an agricultural based college near you that could test the bird for you? That way you'd know for sure what illness you're dealing with.

 

[technodoll]

That's a good idea, thanks!

Not sure I can get any testing done until next week (New Year's closing then the weekend...) but this is really bugging me, I want to know what my roo has and if it's curable or if he will always be a carrier.

I thought owning chickens would be easier than this!

 

[speckledhen]

Some periods, it seems problems come one after the other. I'm sure you'll see light at the end of the tunnel soon. Just dont bring in any new birds for awhile, till you get this other stuff sorted out.