Trouble breathing, blue comb..poss not related??

[clhbubba]

One of my serama roos was having trouble breathing and his comb and wattles were bluish. There was no discharge and all of my other chickens were acting normal. I brought them in, gave him some injections of Baytril(just in case it was something) and he showed no improvement. I got this roo as an adult and he always had very long spurs so I thought maybe his heart was just giving out due to old age. I found him in a sleeping position yesterday and he had passed away. Well, today I found my littlest hen all puffed in the corner and she appeared to be breathing a bit heavier than usual. I grabbed her(and her sister for company) and brought them in the house immediately. I've started them all on tetracycline as I've read that's good for upper respiratory problems. What has me stumped is that there is no sound of congestion and no discharge of any kind. Is there something I'm missing as far as symptoms? Something I should be seeing that I'm not? Should I be using another antibiotic? I have access to inj. baytril, oral tetracycline, amoxi, doxycycline and cephalexin. The tiny one that is showing symptoms is still eating and is not thin.

 

[jenjscott]

The giving of antibiotics for unknown diseases is debated a lot on this forum..That being said, Once started, I would stay with the tetracycline and give it a chance to work.

 

[BarkerChickens]

Sounds like a lack of oxygen. Could his airway have been partially blocked at all?

Maybe Aspergillosis (brooder pneumonia)? The symptoms include gasping breathing. The treatment is changing the litter in the coop and cleaning any areas that have mold or mildew (per an online source, it is caused by mold spores and similar)

Also, blue comb can occur in turkeys (per an online source again). But, not sure if it can happen in chickens. Plus, the symptoms don't seem to mention anything about breathing issues.

 

[Imp]

I can't help, but think it's better to do anything rather than nothing. Good luck

Imp

 

[clhbubba]

I think possibly these two events, while happening at the same time, might possibly be unrelated. I brought my tiny hen and her sister in yesterday when I noticed her all puffed up. "Assuming"(and panicking)that it was the same thing that had affected my rooster. There was an egg layed yesterday evening in the cage and it seemed to me that immediately after that, my little hen appeared 'cured'! Now I'm wondering if she wasn't having trouble with an egg and was able to pass it once she got all warmed up in my living room. Either that or the tetracycline kicked in and she was like new all of a sudden. She's talking, eating ravinously, scratching, etc. . Matter of fact, she's so loud we can hardly hear the TV!!!! Now I'm wondering if, since there were no other signs of illness in my roo, if maybe indeed it was a heart problem related to old age therefor not pumping enough oxygen?(there was nothing blocking his airway, clear all the say down) I guess it's also quite possible that she was just too cold outside. There is a heat lamp in there with them but it's still really cold out and she's really small. I will continue the antibiotics for 7 days regardless since I have started them. Any thoughts or comments are welcome. Thanks for the previous replies. Yes, I know starting antibiotics without knowing what you're treating is controversial. Having said that, I did feel I had to do something rather than nothing as Imp said.

 

[BarkerChickens]

It sounds like that may be the case! She may have been slightly egg bound and got it out on her own.

I am glad that she is doing fine now.