VERY SICK Black Copper Marans Pullet

[Aleighz]

1) What type of bird , age and weight. Black Copper Marans Pullet
2) What is the behavior, exactly. She is much smaller than the other BCM pullets, she is thin. She has a runny nose. The discharge smells bad... not horrible but has a foul smell. I can hear a rattling sound when she breaths. She breaths with her mouth open. Her feathers are ruffeled.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? a little over a week
4) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. I havent noticed any significant injury except a few peck marks on her comb from being picked on by the other chickens.
5) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. I had a barred rock that showed respiratory issues but it only lasted for a few days and then she was fine. It seems as though the BCM has gotten the worst of it.
6) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. I feed her Crumbles and chicken scratch, they recieve fresh warm water every day.
7) How does the poop look? Normal? Poop is normal
8) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? no treatment as of yet... I am clueless what to use and where to get it.
9 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? I intend to do all I can for her myself. There is not a vet in our area that will deal with chickens.
10) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help. I will try to post a pick to show the overall condition (or lack of).
11) Describe the housing/bedding in use. We have an insullated chicken coop, with two windows and vents in the roof pitch. We have an outside run that I put straw down in the winter (so they wont walk around in mud) the interior we use pine and occassionally cedar shavings. We also do a light dusting of DE each week after we putdown fresh bedding (weekly).

Also I should say that around the same time the Barred rock hen started showing signs of respiratory problems she also started to develope cateracts on her eyes, but these cateracts look nothing like the post with chickens that have Mereks. Hers look like cateracts and there was not any distortion in pupil shape.

I would appreciate any advice or recomendations to help her. Also if anyone post medication advice it would be helpful to give me dosages how to administer the medicine and where I might be able to obtain these medications. Like I said I am clueless. Thanks again.

 

[easttxchick]

Sounds like possible Coryza. Do a search for Coryza and check to see if the symptoms fit. It IS contagious and if birds have been exposed to it, I believe they will be carriers. I think it can be treated, but if it is Coryza, you will need to close your flock(don't add chicks and don't sell any birds).

Of course, I don't know for sure if this is what is happening with your bird, but the foul smelling discharge sounds like it might be Coryza.

So sorry you are dealing with this. I wish you much luck.

By the way, I DO think it can be treated with Vet RX(double check me to be sure-it is posted here on BYC somewhere).

 

[chickerdoodle]

Not the real problem but do not use cedar shavings for chickens as the oils are toxic to them. It can also worsen any respiratory problems.
I am much better trained in small animal medicine and not a chicken expert. I do know basic life support though for any critter though so here's my recommendation:
Get the chicken indoors in a warm and cozy "hospital" area. Giving her electrolytes and vitamins can support her a bit but not a cure. If its bacterial then antibiotics may help, but they won't help a virus. Your other bird may have a better immune system and that's why she got well. They may all be carriers though. I have heard Vet Rx is helpful--just read the instructions and she does need fluid therapy as dehydration will kill her. With her respiratory rattles SQ (subcutaneous--under the skin) or IV fluids (intravenous--in vein) would be less stressful and more comfortable for her if you can get from a vet (perhaps a small animal vet can find out what's best for a chicken to help you). If she'll eat scrambled eggs that can provide good nutrition and energy to help her immune system too. Keep us posted and the best of luck.

 

[Aleighz]

easttxchick- When you say I will have to close my flock do you mean permanently? I did research it. (I didnt read anything about closing it permanently of even mentioning that at all, of course I wouldnt bring anything in or out at this time because I dont want to cause any more problems for myself or anyone else. I think you are right though. It sounds very much like Coryza. Once I read about swollen comb I realize that hers is slightly swollen and looks quite different than the rest of the BCMS. I have yet to find anything about how long this will last.

Thanks for the advice and if anyone has ever had to treat Coryza. Any advice is very helpful.

 

[easttxchick]

Quote:
Unfortunately, if it is Coryza, your birds will always be carriers and therefore, any bird you add will be exposed to it and any you sell will expose the new flock. Stupid disease is pretty insidious.

A lot of people recommend culling your flock and starting over again-Ugh, I couldn't imagine doing this, but it is a something some people have done. I will tell you in my opinion I wouldn't do this UNLESS I knew it was something that they would always carry. I think the only way to really know what you are dealing with is, if one of your birds doesn't make it, take it and have a necropsy done on it so you know EXACTLY what you are dealing with.

I so hate this for you and your flock.

 

[Aleighz]

I called today we are going to take it monday to get a necropsy done. They will euthanize her there. I feel like it is the best thing for my entire flock. I have to know what we are dealing with. If it is coryza we will euthanize the entire flock and start over... I will be devastated if it comes to that though.

I did find a glimmer of hope this afternoon.... Infectious Bronchitis. Seems like the symptoms are very similar. Her face isnt swollen just around the nostrils, and I didnt notice the smell today. So I hope that is what it is but honestly I just dont think I am going to rest until we get necropsy done.

I appreciate all the feed back and sympathies. Thank you.

 

[easttxchick]

You're doing the right thing. I'm really sorry you're having to put her down though. I wish you luck and hopefully it turns out to be something you can deal with.