Sorry to do this - little wheezy - stop laying

[gotthefever]

Hi all,

Sorry to do this, I started searching around, made a page of notes of what to go buy...tylan or duramycin, corid, seven dust, safeguard, valbazen...

First sick chicken. I'm thinking respiratory...and try antibiotics??

Approx 5 mo BR pullet. (Betty)

Started laying 2 weeks ago, perfect pullet eggs 6 days in a row. One soft egg...4 days ago. Figured shes working out laying kinks felt around her belly, she is not sitting in laying position or hovering around.

Her vent does look like its pulsing (or is that breathing? I'll go look at everyone else's bottoms) with a little white around there doesn't look red.

Yesterday - she seemed tired at coop time, but hopped out of coop for one last snack and drink.

Today - Saw her shaking her head a bunch, and looking like she wants to clear her throat. wants to sit and close her eyes, I brought her inside and she is a little bit wheezy, very soft sounding, nothing in her nostrils. (crop empty)

She is in a big box in the rec room. Did eat some hot crumble mash, and drank some ACV water, cleaning her beak, groomed a bit. Then sat down and closed her eyes.

Im ready with my list for TSC...

Do I start antiboitic then corid? or both and then worm? Which order do you all recommend?

Thank you so much!
-A


Wilma knows Betty is in the house and has been trying to get in....chickens are so smart.

 

[cafarmgirl]

What do her droppings look like? How is her weight? I'd keep her inside, keep her warm and I'd probably start her on some Tylan if I thought it was a respiratory bug and see how she looks in a couple days. Keep a close eye on the rest of your birds, if she's caught some respiratory bug most of the other's are likely to get it as well.

 

[gotthefever]

Thank you for the reply!

No droppings yet.

I did a gyn exam (first!) felt nothing, but the bits of poo that was on my finger was solid gray/brown. normal.

She seems to not be wheezy now, but is sitting and resting, and doesn't mind being in the box. So I still think something is up.

I know from all the reading here that things go amiss and degrade very quickly. I want to be proactive.

-A

 

[gotthefever]

Too many possibles, took her to the vet.

Diagnosis: GI infection

Two injections..

Meds
Amoxicillin 100mg - crush pill w/ 10 ml of water 2x/day.
Deltasone 5mg(prednisone) - same procedure

Took a look with micrscope. not cocci.

Good to have ruled out, worms, lice/mites, cocci, and respiratory.

C'mon Betty!

edit to add: $86

 

[gotthefever]

Betty Chicken did pass overnight 2 days later. She wasn't eating or drinking and I did giver her fluids via tube, but it was too late, or she was just too ill at that point. I hope I didn't do anything wrong.

Kids were very upset. I explained that it seems with chickens... Chickens will come and chickens will go, they are as delicate as they are hardy. Betty knows that we did the best we could to take care of her.

I will find out, I did send her for necropsy in PA. Better to know what I need to eliminate from yard or what to treat the rest for rather than have them go, one by one by one.

I sent a little note along with my parcel. I spoke to the pathologist in Harrisburg and she said that she usually works with mammals and there are 2 avian specialist in State College, she recommended that I send her there.

I got a lovely phone call the day she arrived from one of the pathologists there. Betty was healthy with good body fat, but it looked like pneumonia. Further tests will follow to determine the cause and she will call me back. She also asked how I knew to send her there...she said she is always curious. I guess so, because its a bit of a tangle to get to the right department. BYC has a great link that set me on the right path and everyone I spoke with was personable and helpful!!!

-A

 

[gotthefever]

Marek's

Fabulous doc. called twice, answered all questions.

Unusual so rapid, but does happen.

Great health, microscopic tumors everywhere....Lungs full, liver enlarged.

1 roundworm egg, recommended rooster booster every few months. (does that kill round worms?)

Side note: multicolored glass in gizzard (yep, they were in the corner by where the tempered glass storm door smashed in the wind 2 or 3 years ago. They find everything. but was not a harm, it was already worn down by the gizzard, and it WAS tempered glass, so in my mind not sharper than grit or stones. But chickens haven't been allowed there since I saw one dig and gobble a chunk like it was the best yummy on earth.


No paralysis.

Only lethargy, looking like sleepiness day 1 & 2. Still perfectly mobile.

At the end her pupils were dilated and she couldn't seem to control her vision (last evening) I am a noticer. Corresponds to some of the neurological brain and nerve lesions.

If you would like to see the report. Let me know. I will send.

-A

p.s. so dear, she said she looked like a purebred when I said I assumed she was from a hatchery and had been vaccinated. Betty will always be a purebred bestest first flock hen in my memories. And she had a great life here. May she be eating all the colored glass she likes in chicken heaven!