Respiratory Infection -- now not eating, lethargic

[mcbridb]

I have a red sex link hen one of 12 I got last fall. Took her to the vet yesterday because she had a rattling breathing sound....very congested sounding. He said she had a respiratory infection but not an upper one. He gave my Tylon to put in her water and she went into quarantine when I brought her home. Checked on her this morning when let everyone out and she still sounded kind of rattly but not as bad as yesterday. She had moved around yesterday and evidently during the night because she was in a different part of the coop.

Had to run out and do errands since we are leaving for my mother in law's funeral and get last minute stuff done. When came back went to check on her and she was in the corner. Got hubby to reach in and get her for me (my sciatic nerve is hurting). She was lethargic, not rattling when she breathed and wouldn't hold her head up much. She just lays there. Got some medicated water down her and realized her comb is cold.

Is there anything else I can do for her? The chicken vet is not in today and the other vets said they could only euthanize her. I want to do all I can for her but also don't want to have to leave a possible death for my friend to deal with while at mil's funeral. Help please. She is at least 1 1/2 years old....don't know her actual age though.

 

[dawg53]

I have a red sex link hen one of 12 I got last fall. Took her to the vet yesterday because she had a rattling breathing sound....very congested sounding. He said she had a respiratory infection but not an upper one. He gave my Tylon to put in her water and she went into quarantine when I brought her home. Checked on her this morning when let everyone out and she still sounded kind of rattly but not as bad as yesterday. She had moved around yesterday and evidently during the night because she was in a different part of the coop.

Had to run out and do errands since we are leaving for my mother in law's funeral and get last minute stuff done. When came back went to check on her and she was in the corner. Got hubby to reach in and get her for me (my sciatic nerve is hurting). She was lethargic, not rattling when she breathed and wouldn't hold her head up much. She just lays there. Got some medicated water down her and realized her comb is cold.

Is there anything else I can do for her? The chicken vet is not in today and the other vets said they could only euthanize her. I want to do all I can for her but also don't want to have to leave a possible death for my friend to deal with while at mil's funeral. Help please. She is at least 1 1/2 years old....don't know her actual age though.

You did the right thing at first by quarantining her. Releasing her with your other birds couldve compromised their health. Respiratory diseases are easily contageous to other birds. Antibiotic soluables are not the best thing to give sick birds. Sick birds rarely drink water and if they do, it's not enough to be effective to treat the disease. Since her condition is deteriorating and the health of the rest of your flock is at risk, it becomes a quality of life issue. I recommend you cull her immediately.