Sick Hen; New Question, pg 5

[hinkjc]

I also wanted to add that open mouth breathing is not necessarily a sign of gapeworm. You would have heard a hiccup type sound, I'd imagine, along with stretched neck struggling for air.

Jody

 

[d.k]

*Thanks Jody! I tend to think of sick/hurt critters as furred or feathered kids--or similar, but that only gets ya so far!! Don't let em get dehydrated, etc. :{ Do we ever have poultry vets visit??

 

[therealsilkiechick]

"I've been looking on websites about respiratory infections and diseases in chickens. My hen has a lot of the symptoms from laryngotracheitis.

The classical signs are gasping, coughing and sticking the neck forward and upwards with each breath in an effort to clear the mucus which builds up in the trachea (windpipe)
She has the coughing, gasping, and she sticks her neck forward."

tell me which all of these match---ASAP

Infectious Bronchitis
Synonyms: IB, bronchitis, cold
Species affected: Infectious bronchitis is a disease of chickens only. A similar disease occurs in bobwhite quail (quail bronchitis), but it is caused by a different virus.

Clinical signs: The severity of infectious bronchitis infection is influenced by the age and immune status of the flock, by environmental conditions, and by the presence of other diseases. Feed and water consumption declines. Affected chickens will be chirping, with a watery discharge from the eyes and nostrils, and labored breathing with some gasping in young chickens. Breathing noises are more noticeable at night while the birds rest. Egg production drops dramatically. Production will recover in 5 or 6 weeks, but at a lower rate. The infectious bronchitis virus infects many tissues of the body, including the reproductive tract (see Table 1 ). Eggshells become rough and the egg white becomes watery. (See publication PS-24, Egg Quality, for other causes of poor egg quality.)

Transmission: Infectious bronchitis is a very contagious poultry disease. It is spread by air, feed bags, infected dead birds, infected houses, and rodents. The virus can be egg-transmitted, however, affected embryos usually will not hatch.

Treatment: There is no specific treatment for infectious bronchitis. Antibiotics for 3-5 days may aid in combating secondary bacterial infections. Raise the room temperature 5°F for brooding-age chickens until symptoms subside. Baby chicks can be encouraged to eat by using a warm, moist mash.

Prevention: Establish and enforce a biosecurity program. Vaccinations are available.


Infectious Laryngotracheitis
Synonyms: LT, ILT, trach, laryngo
Species affected: Chickens and pheasants are affected by LT. Chickens 14 weeks and older are more susceptible than young chickens. Most LT outbreaks occur in mature hens. In recent years, LT has also caused significant respiratory problems in broilers greater than 3 weeks of age, especially during the cooler seasons of the year. This is believed to be due to unwanted spread of LT vaccines between poultry flocks.

Clinical signs: The clinical sign usually first noticed is watery eyes. Affected birds remain quiet because breathing is difficult. Coughing, sneezing, and shaking of the head to dislodge exudate plugs in the windpipe follow. Birds extend their head and neck to facilitate breathing (commonly referred to as "pump handle respiration"). Inhalation produces a wheezing and gurgling sound. Blood-tinged exudates and serum clots are expelled from the trachea of affected birds. Many birds die from asphyxiation due to a blockage of the trachea when the tracheal plug is freed (see Table 1 ).

Transmission: LT is spread by the respiratory route. LT is also spread from flock to flock by contaminated clothing, shoes, tires, etc. Birds that recover should be considered carriers for life. LT may be harbored in speciality poultry such as exhibition birds and game fowl.

Treatment: Incinerate dead birds, administer antibiotics to control secondary infection, and vaccinate the flock. Mass vaccination by spray or drinking water method is not recommended for large commercial or caged flocks. Individual bird administration by the eye-drop route is suggested. Follow manufacturers instructions. In small poultry flocks, use a swab to remove plug from gasping birds, and vaccinate by eye-drop method.

Prevention: Vaccinate replacement birds for outbreak farms. Vaccination for LT is not as successful as for other disease, but is an excellent preventive measure for use in outbreaks and in epidemic areas. Refer to the publication PS-36 (Vaccination of Small Poultry Flocks) for more information on LT vaccinations.

Turkey Rhinotracheitis
Synonyms: TRT, rhino tracheitis
Species affected: Turkeys of all ages are susceptible, but the disease is most severe in young poults. Chickens are susceptible to the virus. Experimentally, guinea fowl and pheasants are susceptible, but waterfowl and pigeons are resistant.

Clinical signs: Respiratory signs in poults include snicking, rales, sneezing, nasal exudates (often frothy), foamy conjunctivitis, and sinusitis. Drops in egg production can be as much as 70 percent (see Table 1 ).

Transmission: Spread is primarily by contact with contaminated environments, feed and water, recovered birds, equipment, and personnel.

Treatment: No drugs are available to combat the virus. Antibiotic therapy is recommended to control secondary bacterial infections.

Prevention: No vaccines are currently available. Prevention is dependent on a comprehensive biosecurity program.

 

[therealsilkiechick]

"Do we ever have poultry vets visit??" don't think we have any here but i'm a liceanced poultry tech so dh, i think are the closest thing to it. hope this helps,i'll help ya with anything i can.

isolate and quarentine any sick immediately from the rest of the flock and start them on an antibiotic asap, if it is IB or LT entire flock needs it as a secondary infection prevenative, they are contagous and will spreed and some of them can cause mortality. if it is the turkey one(srry can't spell) i listed it will clear it if mild enough cases. if IB it can help slow down the process by takeing care of secondary allowing their bodies time to build antibodies. terramycin 4tsp per gallon of water for 10 days. should be about $5 a packet at any feed store or tracter supply store. will add more details after i know more details. IF IB or LT they will all need vaccinated for it except the ones who are sick or show syptoms because they are experiencing the direct virus and the real deal. the vaccines can't be given under so young of an age. if needed i can tell u where to purchase them online.

what is the eye problem they are haveing?? i think i missed ur other post about it. list any and all signs u see if ya have pics of them sick post them so i can see them. these r the first 3 came to mind from reading ur posts here. give me any info u can that may help-age, breeds, how many sick, how many not, have any died if so how many? how long have they been sick from first sign of it? describe the coughing sound and their breatheing what do u hear? look them over good and tell me what what u see around the eyes, roof of mouth, and around sinuses. how is their eating? r they looseing weight are they acting weird or doing something they normally don't besides the gasping stretching neck?

will check this post when i get kid's up for school and will subscribe so i don't loose ur posting.
silkie

 

[LinckHillPoultry]

She has the breathing difficulties of Laryngotracheitis. Stretching her neck forward etc.

I'm going to move her into our utility room which is very warm and is right downstairs.
I have observed the other chickens and they dont show any signs of having what she might have.

& There are no poultry vets around my area... so I havent had any vets come specifically to see my birds

 

[d.k]

*Were you able to find out if she's still eating and drinking, LHP?

 

[therealsilkiechick]

treat whole flock with antibiotic as said above for 10 days on and 2 weeks off. if it comes back treat again another 10 days. if it does not after 30 days of no signs vaccinate all of them age 4 weeks and older except the ones that where sick or showed signs. because they have direct contact they build imunities to protect for life DO NOT VACCINATE them ones it will double the virus it could kill them and stenghten or mutate the virus.

use strict biosecurity it contagous and can be carried on anything. sanatitise everything with bleach water u can and change all bedding. if u have other pens feed, clean , water them seperatrely and first do not use tools ect on their coops ects after useing on the infected ones houseing. it can contaminate if u do not. it can travel on ur hands, shoes, tires anything so be strict with sanitation. do not go on anyones property for 30 days do not let anyone with poultry come to ur property for same time. don't bring anything(birds) in or out for 30 days and also 30 days after vaccine. they will need a revac every year for it.

that virus does not come alone usually there is other things they have also keep a close eye on them. 2 associated with them i listed another is conjunctivitous. keep me posted any changes good or bad.

 

[BJ]

Gaping does not mean gapeworm. This is not the right time of year for that anyway. Go with respiratory or another virus-type illness but I highly doubt gapeworm.

 

[LinckHillPoultry]

what should I vaccinate them with? And where can I get it?

 

[LinckHillPoultry]

UPDATE!! ::

Okay... she is in our utility room which is downstairs. It is nice and warm in there. I went down and observed her just a couple minutes ago.
Her gasping isn't as loud... I don't know if it means she's getting better... or worse.
She still stretches her neck out.
None of her food and water is gone.
If you hold her, everytime she gasps, her abdomen bulges out far, and goes back, not like normal breathing.
Her poop has been watery-ish.
She is standing, and will move around if you touch her, but she also has no problem with me picking her up.
She will sneeze more than usual.

That is the update on her conditions.