Respiratory illness in hen Questions. Please Respond.

[Eggcessive]

I called the vet office today concerning her medication, and they told me to come up and grab another prescription. It's called Simplicef, I googled it and it sounds pretty intense, and doesn't say anything about use in poultry. The vet has chickens, so I feel good about taking his advice. Just curious if anyone else has heard of this? It's a 100mg tablet split so 50mg for 14 days.

I haven't seen it mentioned on BYC, but I see that it is a cephalosporin drug used to treat wounds, staph, strep, pasteurella, and E.coli infections. Some respiratory infections that are complicated by air sacculitis involve E.coli. Other than that, I haven't heard much about it's use in chickens. Edited for spelling.

 

[PumpknMoonshine]

Okay, I just don't want it to hurt her, she never had a diagnoses, just an exam. This is my first time raising chickens, even though it's been almost two years. I feel like a new mommy.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

It's a good sign that she's eating, even if she's picky. One can usually save the ones that haven't given up on themselves.

 

[DONDChick]

I need y'all's advice too. I have 5 new hens added to the coop last Friday! One Orp is sick. Her eye is guncky and she wipes it on her neck and cackles. Her neck of course is wet, and she constantly turns her head as if looking over her tail. What gives?????

 

[heartsizedfarm]

I would call the vet. Infection + pain = vet call.

 

[Eggcessive]

I need y'all's advice too. I have 5 new hens added to the coop last Friday! One Orp is sick. Her eye is guncky and she wipes it on her neck and cackles. Her neck of course is wet, and she constantly turns her head as if looking over her tail. What gives?????

It sounds like a respiratory disease such as MG, coryza, ILT, or Newcastles, plus wry neck. If you start your own new thread at this link, you will get more advice: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/threads/add/forumId/10

 

[PumpknMoonshine]

Good luck to DONDChick...... Well Bernadette seems as though a full recovery is in her forecast. Tonight is her last Baytril and tomorrow she will start the Simplicef to kill any bacteria that could possibly be left. I am more than hopeful. Called the vet after I did a little read up on Simplicef and could find nothing but information for usage in dogs. My vet has treated his personal chickens with it, so at least I know my bird isn't a test subject. I'll give a further update after second round of antibiotics kick in. Thanks for all the help and support! You all are truly wonderful.

 

[PumpknMoonshine]

Bernadette has made a full recovery. She has 5 more days of Simplicef and she's back to normal. Been her old self for 5 days now. Couldn't be happier. When a chicken is sick with respiratory issues, I learned you just have to fully commit and hope for the best. Thanks everyone for your input. It helped a lot.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Love happy endings!