Upper Respiratory Infection - chickens

[BucksBoo]

We have a chicken that we believe has an URI. Last night I brought her in, separating her from the flock. She has rattling in her throat, had watery eyes (now she keeps them closed), and has runny nose. I used VetRx. I mixed it with warm water and then applied it to her body. I put a few drops down her throat. I also added some to the waterers of entire flock and sprayed entire flock with it last night as well. So far, she is the only one sick. We lost 3 before her but didn’t know what was wrong. Her symptoms are very obvious. She also appears to be gasping for breath.

What more can I do?

How often do I give her VetRx?

When should she show signs of it working?

Also, will this affect eggs?

Should I give antibiotic? If so, how will that affect selling her eggs?

Thank you.

 

[Fuchsia]

I hope she is okay!

 

[Isaac 0]

Sorry to hear about your hen.

Could you post a video of her sneezing, etc? To post a video, upload it to a video platform like Youtube or Vimeo, and copy/paste the link here. Have you checked inside her mouth for any lesions? Is there any swelling around her face?

I would agree with you that the symptoms she's exhibiting are similar to a respiratory infection. There are several respiratory infections in chickens, but the most commonly experienced infections, tend to be either Infectious bronchitis (IB), Mycoplasma Gallisetcum (MG), and coryza. Less common, avian influenza, new castle disease, brooder pneumonia(fungal), and, ILT.

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/mycoplasmosis/mycoplasma-gallisepticum-infection-in-poultry

All of these respiratory diseases are highly contagious, and MG, along with a few others, will be hosts to the bird for a lifetime. These respiratory diseases don't have a cure, only supportive care, and antibiotics which will help relieve symptoms but won't totally treat the infection. During times of stress, cold weather symptoms may reappear. Over time the disease may become resistant to the antibiotic and a new one will need to be chosen. During and a few weeks after antibiotic use, the eggs cannot be eaten

Doxycycline, as well as antibiotics of the tetracycline family such as Tylosin, are often used, so are antibiotics of fluoroquinolone class like Baytril. For Coryza, a sulfa drug would best be used such as Bactrim.

https://www.jedds.com/shop/tylan-soluble-100-g/
https://allbirdproducts.com/products/baytril-10

Some antibiotics are better at treating different respiratory infections, so instead of guessing, or using a broad-spectrum one, you can have testing done either by your state lab, or a national lab like Zoolgix, to confirm which respiratory infection they have, better understand the disease, and choose a better antibiotic if that's your desired choice of route.

https://zoologix.com/avian/index.htm
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[Isaac 0]

Regarding the VetRX, I have never used that, so I can't say if it works or not, I know some people use it, and like it. However, if you use it, apply it to the outside of her body, do not administer it orally.

 

[Jenjens]

i would.recommend a product called respite. You can get it online, if you live in the US, it might get caught in customs, since it is sold in the UK. It happened to me, I got a warning, but still got the product. It is a huge container, so it would last for a loooooong time. The reviews are great, so I think it is worth the risk. It has cured many illnesses. it is all natural,but REAKS like garlic.....and I love garlic, but whoa.....So bad without even opening the container inside of a box!

One of the things I hate about America....an all-natural product that really works, but illegal in the US lol.

 

[Eggcessive]

It is hard to know which disease you are seeing without getting a necropsy on one of your chickens if you lose another, or with testing. Vet Rx is herbal oils—rosemary, oregano, and pine oil with camphor. I would probably try to get an antibiotic that treats mycoplasma (MG) such as Tylosin, and treat only chickens with symptoms. Here is a list of the state vets in case you lose another:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm