VERY sick birds - One sacrificed today for lab testing *Update* page 2

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I went out to feed this morning and heard the weirdest sound coming from my hens. If you're over 40, remember the sound the baby dolls made when you flipped them over to cry? That's the sounds they were making. I put terramycin antibiotic powder in their water and kept them confined in their coop today. Am hoping I don't come home to a bunch of dead birds

I'm really kicking myself in the head HARD. I rescued 3 hens last week. A couple of them were sneezing but seemed ok. I had them confined to a rabbit hutch but there just wasn't enough room. I STUPIDLY moved them to the dog pen and confined them there, but apparently it wasn't confined enough. You tried to tell me; I didn't listen.

Other than the terramycin, what else can I do for them?

 

[Chickenaddict]

terramycin is worthless, try using aureomycin chlortetracycline
1 tsp per gallon for 7 to 14 days

You can also rub vetRX on the back of their neck and under their wings to help break up the congestion. I think you can put it in their water too but im not sure about mixing that with the anitbiotics

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Where do I get that? Is it from the vet or would TSC have it?

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Also, how would I/what would I use too disinfect the ground in the dog pen? The rescued hens will be going today.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Update - I found a vet who will see them and we're leaving in 20 minutes. There are 4 or 5 who are breathing very hard & loud and they are all sneezing. I was only going to take one in because what one has, they all have, but DD convinced me to bring the two worst ones.

Please wish me luck that this can easily be reversed. Will update when we get home.

 

[cyanne]

Whenever I have a chicken that sounds raspy or wheezy I administer 1 cc of Tylan 50 via injection in the breast muscle one a day for 3 to 5 days. This is for a standard sized hen, of course, smaller breeds need less (I would give .2 cc twice a day to my dutch bantam for example)

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Didn't know about the Tylan but it might be too late for that anyway. Just got back and it isn't good. They have a respiratory infection, so I'm getting ready and getting up the nerve to *ahem* take care of the rescued birds. Then I have to separate mine between the really sick ones and the better ones. Both will get heavy duty doses of an antibiotic called doxycycline for 7 days. He said if one passes within 24-48 hours to bring it back up and they will necropsy it. He feels certain that he'll see me again very soon

STUPID STUPID STUPID

My heart is too big and I tried to help others but I sure have learned the hard way.

 

[cyanne]

Not stupid, most people on here have made the same mistake at least once. And respiratory infections just seem to happen from time to time even if you are careful.

I keep the Tylan 50 on hand all the time now and anytime somebody gets even a little wheezy I quarantine them ASAP and start dosing. It was kind of scary at first to do the injections but now it is no big deal. I just bought the tiny 1 cc syringes with a 28 gauge needle (very thin) and then I lay the chicken on its side and inject it into the breast muscle next to the breast bone. You don't have to go in very deep and the little needle doesn't seem to hurt them at all.

In addition to the antibiotics and quarantine, the other important thing is supportive care. When they feel yucky they often stop eating and drinking and they can go downhill fast. I keep Kaytee Exact Hand Feeding formula on hand at all times in case I need to hand feed a sick chicken (you can find it in the parrot section at the pet store). Keep them warm and be sure to get some food and water in them at least 2 to 3 times per day until they are eating and drinking on their own.

Usually I pick a spare bathroom as my quarantine facility and put them in the bathtub with some wood shavings on the bottom. Provide access to clean water and food and keep it nice and warm...I usually stick a space heater in there to make it nice and toasty like a big brooder.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Thank you so much

I will get some of the Kaytee formula because there is one who although her breathing didn't sound as bad as the other, she is VERY thin. Cleaning all the waterers and feeders now and will start the antibiotics. Unfortunately bringing them inside isn't an option; the vet doesn't think some of them will make it through the night anyway. Am hoping that we can save the rest.

Will definitely pick up some Tylan for next time - do they have that at TSC? Thank you for making me feel better about my stupidity.

 

[cyanne]

Yep, I bought my Tylan 50 at TSC. They have needles there too, but you can also get them at any pharmacy without a prescription and the human grade ones are just as cheap if not cheaper and they are a little sharper.