Sick? Or laying first egg - new chicken owner

[coach723]

Have you seen her poop? An egg bound hen will not be able to pass droppings. If she's not actually bound, but just having a hard time passing one, then the calcium will hopefully help her do that. If she's still pooping, you have more time, if she's not, then more of an emergency.

 

[Chookiemom]

She pooped before we left the house. Currently at the emergency vet waiting to see what they say

 

[Chookiemom]

Vet saying that she is pretty bad. She is unsure as to what it is but thinks it is something infectious. She sees treatment as a hail mary.. she suggested euthanasia as an option. Unfortunately I may end up doing that.

 

[Weeg]

Vet saying that she is pretty bad. She is unsure as to what it is but thinks it is something infectious. She sees treatment as a hail mary.. she suggested euthanasia as an option. Unfortunately I may end up doing that.

Is this an avian vet? What is her diagnosis? What disease?
I'm no vet, and don't want to argue with a vet who has studied for 8 years, but would be interested to know exactly what is causing it before she was euthanized. If she was my chicken. Thats kind of how I am though, I like to know exactly what it is, get opinions, research, and make a decision.

 

[Chookiemom]

Yes I chose not to euthanize her because they did not really give me a straight answer. Seems difficult to find a vet that specializes in chickens. They said with her symptoms they do not suspect parasite but her breathing made them think a possible infection. She just laid her first egg(so maybe eggbound after all) and is resting in a kennel in the garage. The egg is in perfect condition with no blood. I will wait and see if she is perky tomorrow. They gave me doxycycline to give to her and i gave it to her about a few minutes before she laid. Now she is laying preening herself but still seems weak. I gave her some of the nutri supplement to her water to see if it will improve her lethargy.

Edit: should i continue to administer calcium? If so how much/how often?

 

[Chookiemom]

Yes I chose not to euthanize her because they did not really give me a straight answer. Seems difficult to find a vet that specializes in chickens. They said with her symptoms they do not suspect parasite but her breathing made them think a possible infection. She just laid her first egg(so maybe eggbound after all) and is resting in a kennel in the garage. The egg is in perfect condition with no blood. I will wait and see if she is perky tomorrow. They gave me doxycycline to give to her and i gave it to her about a few minutes before she laid. Now she is laying preening herself but still seems weak. I gave her some of the nutri supplement to her water to see if it will improve her lethargy.

Edit: should i continue to administer calcium? If so how much/how often?

I noticed her stretching her neck opening her mouth and shaking her head just now. Called the vet and asked if I should get dewormer and they said that happens with respiratory issues and that the vet listened to her lungs and ruled out gapeworm. Not looking good for her. Will hope for the best.

 

[Lor]

I noticed her stretching her neck opening her mouth and shaking her head just now. Called the vet and asked if I should get dewormer and they said that happens with respiratory issues and that the vet listened to her lungs and ruled out gapeworm. Not looking good for her. Will hope for the best.

I hope she does better soon.

 

[Weeg]

I noticed her stretching her neck opening her mouth and shaking her head just now. Called the vet and asked if I should get dewormer and they said that happens with respiratory issues and that the vet listened to her lungs and ruled out gapeworm. Not looking good for her. Will hope for the best.

Yes. That is a symptom of respiratory issues. If she does have a respotiroy infection, it is very manageable. Do note that respiratory infections are not "treatable". You can treat the symptoms, but the infection will never go away, they carry the disease for life. You will have to treat with antibiotics every time symptoms arise.
I'm not familiar with antibiotics, but do keep her on that, she should improve. I would also feed a probiotic along with that. A favorite of mine is made for dogs, but its very high quality. This one- https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...6yqb3AhUyITQIHaL-BkAQww96BAgBED4&ri=16&adurl=
A bit pricey, but it will last you a long time. Its also soil based, which is the most affective. Other lower quality poultry probiotics aren't soil based, and die before they reach the gut being ineffective.

Does she have any nasal or ocular discharge, bubbly eyes, swollen face? Those are all symptoms of a respiratory infection. Might help us determine which one your dealing with.
I'm glad you didn't choose to euthanize. With what I'm hearing I think this is manageable.
Do note that it means your entire flock has the disease, not only her.

 

[Weeg]

Edit: should i continue to administer calcium? If so how much/how often?

I would stop giving calcium. I think we ruled out reproductive issues.

 

[Chookiemom]

Yes. That is a symptom of respiratory issues. If she does have a respotiroy infection, it is very manageable. Do note that respiratory infections are not "treatable". You can treat the symptoms, but the infection will never go away, they carry the disease for life. You will have to treat with antibiotics every time symptoms arise.
I'm not familiar with antibiotics, but do keep her on that, she should improve. I would also feed a probiotic along with that. A favorite of mine is made for dogs, but its very high quality. This one- https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...6yqb3AhUyITQIHaL-BkAQww96BAgBED4&ri=16&adurl=
A bit pricey, but it will last you a long time. Its also soil based, which is the most affective. Other lower quality poultry probiotics aren't soil based, and die before they reach the gut being ineffective.

Does she have any nasal or ocular discharge, bubbly eyes, swollen face? Those are all symptoms of a respiratory infection. Might help us determine which one your dealing with.
I'm glad you didn't choose to euthanize. With what I'm hearing I think this is manageable.
Do note that it means your entire flock has the disease, not only her.

Thanks. No bubbles or discharge at the moment and i honestly cannot tell if she is swollen. She is lethargic. Has her wings down when walking for balance. Does more of a squat walk. She pecks at the ground in front of her. Tail down most of the time.

Vet said in order to find out what she had they would want to do an x ray and bloodwork but it was astronomically expensive.

I will keep an eye on the others. What would I be able to do to help them? Just these 2 doxycycline pills cost $35. Told me to give 1/4 tablet every 12 hours.