SICK CHICKEN

[Tomgee]

I have a 3 month old Blue Ameraucana. She started with labored breathing abut two weeks ago. Then became lethargic a week ago, closing her eyes, needed to be fed, not very chipper.
Took her to the vet 5 days ago and got antibiotics (Sulfatrim). She does have pneumonia-like symptoms.
Last 4 days she does not eat or drink anything. She has clear diarrhea. I have been force feeding water to her. I don't know how she is still alive. She can stand, she can jump up and perch. Her eyes are puffy and closed most of the time. She still won't eat. I wonder if antibiotics are working or she just won't die. She often pecks at her back as if irritated. And she squawks every now and then. There is water and food in the box I have her in. She is not eating the food and I dont know if she is sneaking water. Anybody? Thoughts??

 

[12chickenlover3]

Are they sure she doesn't have mereks disease? It sounds like those symptoms.

 

[Tomgee]

I didn't get the Marek's disease test. The Vet said she could test for a bunch of viruses, but why pay to know what the chicken died of. It makes sense. If it is Marek's disease, which is very possible, how long will she suffer before she dies? This has been about 2 weeks now.

 

[12chickenlover3]

It all depends ,all chickens are different.

 

[my sunwolf]

My home remedy that has worked a few times as a last-ditch effort is feeding by syringe a mixture of yogurt water, raw garlic juice, and raw apple cider vinegar. Put a little on her tongue and let her lap it up, or squirt it onto the lower portion of her beak and let it run down her throat. Don't try to squirt it down her throat or she may inhale it.

Depending on your style, you may also want to try a different antibiotic. I've heard that Tylan is very good but don't know much about it. At this stage an injection of this kind of antibiotic would be the best step.

 

[Eggcessive]

Most vets do not have much experience with chickens unfortunately. Yours may have. Did she think the chicken had a respiratory disease, or did she think of treating for cocci? Did this chicken come from a hatchery or a breeder? Have you asked the breeder if they have any sick chickens? Certain diseases start to show up in young chickens, coccidia (cocci) the most common., respiratory disease at any age, usually later for things like Marek's disease, a neurological disease. She may just have a bad heart. Many chickens will die in their first year of unknown causes. Some people will cull a sick chicken to keep it from suffering, and some will do a necropsy to look inside at their organs for any thing abnormal. You can post pictures on many threads here of necropsies and may get some help in finding a cause of death, especially the Natural Chicken Keeping Thread.

 

[Tomgee]

Thank you for the Replies.
I hatched this chicken from an egg I incubated (as well as some others). She was the very first to hatch and the other 3 Ameraucanas never made it. 1 never hatched, 1 died during the hatching and the other died 2 days later. Which makes me think there is a genetic cause. However, the disease is definitely respiratory. That is how it began and continues. The vet told me it could be one of many viruses that are untreatable and to test will only give a cause of death result. Basically she was saying save your money.
I don't think it is cocci, there is no blood in stool. I don't think it is Marek's there is no paralysis. Just alot of congestion, runny nose and labored breathing. She is hanging on but really suffering. She no longer opens her eyes. I drip water to keep her hydrated. But I just don't know if she is going to rebound. It has been five days with her in my house by herself with a humidifier.
Fingers crossed.....