Respiratory diseases- super worried! Advice please

[1040dana]

Pine shavings is probably the most widely used type of bedding for chickens, and is safe for use. It can be dusty, especially the smaller flakes. On the other hand, cedar shavings are not good for bedding due to the strong fragrance. Coop ventilation is always good to maintain. Where are you located? There can be many reasons for open mouth breathing. Was it warm today where you live? Is she overweight? She might have been panting, or she could have something going on that makes her feel bad.

Chickens can get respiratory diseases from viruses, mold fungus, and from bacteria. Usually with resp diseases, they can have other symptoms, such as watery eyes, sneezing, crackly or wheezy breathing, or swelling around an eye or the face.

How old is your hen? Does she lay eggs? Is her crop emptying overnight after she sleeps? Is she eating and drinking normally?

Pine shavings is probably the most widely used type of bedding for chickens, and is safe for use. It can be dusty, especially the smaller flakes. On the other hand, cedar shavings are not good for bedding due to the strong fragrance. Coop ventilation is always good to maintain. Where are you located? There can be many reasons for open mouth breathing. Was it warm today where you live? Is she overweight? She might have been panting, or she could have something going on that makes her feel bad.

Chickens can get respiratory diseases from viruses, mold fungus, and from bacteria. Usually with resp diseases, they can have other symptoms, such as watery eyes, sneezing, crackly or wheezy breathing, or swelling around an eye or the face.

How old is your hen? Does she lay eggs? Is her crop emptying overnight after she sleeps? Is she eating and drinking normally?

She is only 7 months old. She is wheezing and closing her eyes. Maybe a cough or sneeze. We are in Wisconsin, a lovely 30 degrees. I took her to a emergency vet $$, and she gave us dewormer and antibiotic to try to cover all the bases. My girls have it really good, we clean poops daily, but last week their run was wet and muddy due to melting snow. That’s the only thing that has been different. We use pine shavings in their coop, and straw in their run. She laid an egg this morning, and my daughter said she was acting normal this morning, but she changed by this afternoon. Thanks for responding. New chicken mom here

 

[Eggcessive]

Hopefully the antibiotic will help if her wheezing is caused by bacteria. What antibiotic did the vet prescribe? And what is the wormer? Chickens can be exposed to some diseases by wild birds in the area, and those may lie dormant. Then when very cold weather or other stresses happen, they can then surface. Most chickens I lose, tend to get sick in very cold weather. Let us know how she gets along.

 

[1040dana]

Hopefully the antibiotic will help if her wheezing is caused by bacteria. What antibiotic did the vet prescribe? And what is the wormer? Chickens can be exposed to some diseases by wild birds in the area, and those may lie dormant. Then when very cold weather or other stresses happen, they can then surface. Most chickens I lose, tend to get sick in very cold weather. Let us know how she gets along.

With the medication, she seemed to make improvement within 24hs. Breathing had improved. 3 days into the medication, she still passed away over the night. Heartbroken

 

[Eggcessive]

I am very sorry that you lost her. I would contact your state vet to see if you can keep the body cool and get a necropsy to find out what killed her. They can look for respiratory or other diseases. Here is a list of state vets including the 2 in WI:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm