URGENT Rooster with CRD or Gapeworms?

[GoldyLocks93]

Hello all.

I have a 3 month old rooster I hatched from my flock (which is making this even harder for me). He’s a mixture of a lot of things, I really couldn’t tell you what he is specifically. He’s maybe 5 pounds at most. Yesterday, I found him in the corner of the cage by himself with his mouth wide open. That’s not like him. I immediately took him out (which he didn’t fight me on, also not like him) because I was concerned he was choking on something. Throat was clear. It quickly became obvious to me that he was sick. I removed/separated him from the other 5 chicks in the cage (they are the same age/have no symptoms and are seemingly okay), totally cleaned out and disinfected the cage and threw out all of the old feeders/waterers. The entire time I was doing this, he was standing straight up with his mouth wide open, gagging almost and gargling, shake his head, and then he would close his eyes for a few minutes and do it again. I tried to research everything I could on my own to try to help him (I understand how severely under educated I am/research can only go so far). He doesn’t have any discharge from his nose and eyes. I read about gape worms, but I’m not sure since they aren’t free ranging currently and are still on chick feed. His symptoms seem to match that but once again, I’m really not sure. We do have ivermectin on hand, but I don’t know anything about administrating an injection to a chicken.

He is not eating or drinking. I saw him nibble on a few pieces of food last night. That’s it. I haven’t seen any excrements. His comb does not look pale. The head shaking is more persist today. I tried to syringe into his mouth water with electrolytes, but he will not swallow anything. It just falls out of his mouth. I have put VetRx on his back, under his wings and in his water to try to help him breathe better. I thought maybe CRD at first. But I just feel so unsure. I am at a loss and am so scared to lose him. I was holding him crying because I don’t want him to suffer and it’s so sad to watch. I just want to do the right thing to help him. Please help me

 

[GodLovesU]

@Eggcessive

 

[SkyAJK]

@nuthatched

Eggcessive or nuthatched whoever login will be able to help you.
I feel your worry, hang in there with your baby rooster.
Can you see anything in his mouth?
I hope he will pull through.

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you added any new birds to your flock recently who might have been a carrier for MG or CRD? Does he have any bubbles or foam in either eye, or any discharge from his nostrils or beak? You said his beak was clear, so there were no yellow or white patches or mucus? The head shaking and gasping can be signs of a respiratory disease. Gapeworm is rare, but SafeGuard liquid goat wormer or the equine paste can treat it. Dosage is 0.25 ml (1/4 ml) per pound of weight given orally for 5 consecutive days. If he is about 5 pounds that would be 1.25 ml for 5 days. It is sold at most feed stores.

 

[GoldyLocks93]

Have you added any new birds to your flock recently who might have been a carrier for MG or CRD? Does he have any bubbles or foam in either eye, or any discharge from his nostrils or beak? You said his beak was clear, so there were no yellow or white patches or mucus? The head shaking and gasping can be signs of a respiratory disease. Gapeworm is rare, but SafeGuard liquid goat wormer or the equine paste can treat it. Dosage is 0.25 ml (1/4 ml) per pound of weight given orally for 5 consecutive days. If he is about 5 pounds that would be 1.25 ml for 5 days. It is sold at most feed stores.

No new birds. They are away from the main flock still since they’re not quite ready to go out. No bubbles or foam. I haven’t seen yellow patches; his mouth when he opens seems a little thick with mucus. My concern is how to get oral down when he won’t consume anything.

 

[GoldyLocks93]

Have you added any new birds to your flock recently who might have been a carrier for MG or CRD? Does he have any bubbles or foam in either eye, or any discharge from his nostrils or beak? You said his beak was clear, so there were no yellow or white patches or mucus? The head shaking and gasping can be signs of a respiratory disease. Gapeworm is rare, but SafeGuard liquid goat wormer or the equine paste can treat it. Dosage is 0.25 ml (1/4 ml) per pound of weight given orally for 5 consecutive days. If he is about 5 pounds that would be 1.25 ml for 5 days. It is sold at most feed stores.

Adding to above since I have a slight update.. I was able to administer the equine paste. We took a flashlight and looking down his throat; my husband noted a chunky, white thing in the middle of his throat and was worried he was choking on bedding; disregarded that and we believe it’s his tongue that’s swollen. There is mucus in his mouth for sure. Before putting up back up, he pooped but it was probably a quarter sized amount, really runny/white. He wasn’t shaking his head at all but was opening his mouth and gargling.

 

[Eggcessive]

It is hard to know exactly what is going on. Can you see his tongue in the bottom of his beak with a flashlight? Would a picture be possible tomorrow? Sometimes a yeast/fungal infection can cause white material inside the beak or throat.

 

[SkyAJK]

Adding to above since I have a slight update.. I was able to administer the equine paste. We took a flashlight and looking down his throat; my husband noted a chunky, white thing in the middle of his throat and was worried he was choking on bedding; disregarded that and we believe it’s his tongue that’s swollen. There is mucus in his mouth for sure. Before putting up back up, he pooped but it was probably a quarter sized amount, really runny/white. He wasn’t shaking his head at all but was opening his mouth and gargling.

How is your baby roo doing? I hope he is getting better after the medication.

 

[GoldyLocks93]

@Eggcessive I took a video and snipped the best angles I could… he did poop this morning bit it was white and runny, quiet a bit. I saw him go again a little bit ago, but it was a small amount. I tried to feed him some warm eggs. He nibbled but didn’t really want it. I can’t tell if he’s the same or worse at this point.

 

[GoldyLocks93]

How is your baby roo doing? I hope he is getting better after the medication.

I don’t really know to be honest. I don’t think worse but not really better either. I fear if he doesn’t start eating or drinking, it will be a sad ending.