sick four to five week old chick

[radish]

I have an five week old chick who presents as follows:

Beginning clinical signs: sneezing

within twenty four hours: when breathing out, opens mouth, ruffled feathers, when mouth opened you can see that the tongue is mottled with grey and black mold looking coloration. No nasal discharge, no diarrhea and in fact this morning the poop looks fine. Bird is now isolated and appears to eat but not so fond of drinking.

Thoughts or should this baby be put down? Thanks for any assistance. Susan

 

[briteday]

I'm no expert by any means but I'd try a run of tetracycline antibiotic or if congested (really respiratory) Tylan. But these may be symptoms of something very specific that a more experienced chicken person could give you info on.

 

[radish]

Before going to work, I did add some teracycline antibiotic into the water. But as you say, the discoloration of the tongue has me worried that perhaps I am dealing not with a virus. I have been searching the internet for the tongue discoloration and can't find a single resource that lists it as a clinical sign of anything more specific.

I feel a little better that I am on the right track but still hoping that someone has already experienced a chick with a mottled grey and black tongue. (One can assume that this problem is down the throat, which explains the need for the chick to open it's mouth when breathing out) thank you for your thoughts.

 

[radish]

Beginning clinical signs: sneezing

within twenty four hours: when breathing out, opens mouth, ruffled feathers, when mouth opened you can see that the tongue is mottled with grey and black mold looking coloration. No nasal discharge, no diarrhea and in fact this morning the poop looks fine. Bird is now isolated and appears to eat but not so fond of drinking.

After isolating the chick, upping the heat, adding antibotic to the water, and giving the chick an nutridrench squirt, initial results are encouraging. I can still see mottled grey and black molding looking coloration on the tongue but the chick seems to be resting better and still continues to eat and drink. I am still hoping that someone is familiar with the condition so that I can make a reasoned judgement as to cull or attempt to keep this chick. While I am becoming fond of a chick that needs attention, I do not want to add poor genetics to the flock.