Trouble is in Trouble

[Kiki]

Good luck.
Try to get some rest tonight.

 

[BarneyNCyndi]

Thank you. I did it 1/2 ml in breast IM and Trouble has gotten calm. She is eat pecking at her regular scratch. I am going to take a nap. My husband is here to do next shift.

 

[BarneyNCyndi]

Yes it is true. FDA requires a prescription now. There are still some meds available on line, livestock sites. Also fish meds are still available. However, you need to know what you are treating for to make sure you use the right medication. Many respiratory infections are caused by virus's and antibiotics will do nothing for the virus. Antibiotics will take care of secondary or bacterial infections. Injudicious use of antibiotics in food producing animals is why the FDA made them harder to get.
I don't think the poo looks normal, unless she has been drinking a lot of water.
There are a lot of possibilities for what is wrong. If she has something going on inside, that could weaken her immune system and allow other infections to take hold.

I was using the drop syringe method and encouraging fluids because she felt feverish last night. Her waddles and comb feel more like a normal temp.

 

[BarneyNCyndi]

Day two. I had to go into work today. Got home after 12 hours away and went to check on Trouble. To my surprise, the pen was empty. She escaped sometime during the day and left little poops from the front door to the back window. She came our to greet me as usual. I put her back in the pen she didn't feel warm but she sure was thirsty. She started with a few coughs not much congestion to be heard by ear. 1/2 ml of tylan 50 given and she is now enjoying a cucumber. I was reading the carton that the tylan and it says store at 77 degrees or less. I am not going to refrigerate it because we haven't seen 70 yet this year. I can say, I am less worried but glad that she made it without supervision. PS. can you guess why her name is called Trouble? Sick bird escapes pen... Bad chicken - nothing but Trouble.

 

[BarneyNCyndi]

Day 3 she seems much better eating and drinking plus pooping like a trooper.

Day4 AM. I have been up for a few hours. I shared some cherry tomatoes (cut) and she has been delighted with the activity. I haven't heard any coughing in 24 hours. I am thinking of letting her go back outside tomorrow. I will still give her antibiotics for the 7-10 days. Any thoughts?

I am very relieved of our pet chickens she is our oldest at 3 and the boss. BTW I realized our picture is Trouble at few weeks old. Guess it is destiny that of my efforts to save one of our chickens when they get sick -Trouble is the survivor.

 

[yessa]

SOME antibiotics are no longer available, not all. I, too, am in WA State and am able to buy injectables. Water soluble antibiotics (like powdered corid, tylan etc) are being restricted because some people use them prophylactically, herd or flock wide and that can build resistance. Since you are a nurse, I would go get some penicillin from farm store and give 1/2 cc subcu (seems like a lot, but I have given this much to a chicken successfully many times) and follow it up with injections for five days at least. Penicillin is thick so will likely have to use a 20 gauge needle. anything smaller (which would be nicer for your chicken) won't move it through. Be sure to continue giving shots even after you see improvement, You don't want to strengthen the bacteria by backing off the meds too soon. If it is viral, the antibiotics won't help so I'll cross my fingers for you. good luck

 

[yessa]

I see that my reply was untimely. damn computers. glad to see your Trouble(maker) is better.

 

[BarneyNCyndi]

Day 5: Trouble is well and taking charge. She was first one out of the coop this morning and followed me back to the house asking for treats all the way. A few cut cherry tomatoes with mealworms and the crew was having breakfast. Life is back to normal.

Last post on this topic. Thank you all for your views and replies.