Wheezing 6 MO Americauna Pullet

[Eggcessive]

Well, I was hoping that she would be better after a few hours, but it sounds like something is really going on. If you can get the Tylan 50 along with a few 3 ml syringes and 18 or 20 gauge needles, and start giving that orally by removing the needle, a drop at a time. And give the fenbendazole orally as well. That would help if it is gapeworm or a respiratory infection. Feel of her crop to see if it is empty this morning. If it is puffy or hard, that is not normal.

 

[Legend17]

Well, I was hoping that she would be better after a few hours, but it sounds like something is really going on. If you can get the Tylan 50 along with a few 3 ml syringes and 18 or 20 gauge needles, and start giving that orally by removing the needle, a drop at a time. And give the fenbendazole orally as well. That would help if it is gapeworm or a respiratory infection. Feel of her crop to see if it is empty this morning. If it is puffy or hard, that is not normal.

I will pick up these things and try your suggestions. Waiting at feed store right now. Should I let her eat or try a little olive oil in case she does have something stuck in her throat or should I wait and see how she does with the medicine? Her crop is empty and feels normal. Should I help her drink water with a syringe? First year as a chicken owner didn’t even spell Ameraucana correctly during my panic post yesterday. Got my first batch last April, survived a hawk attack (my birds free range) and doctored up my rooster getting his thigh gashed open to the meat, saved a crossbeak who needed to be mush fed and hand fed water from a dropper for over a month and managed to get her beak straight but bottom is still way longer, and survived breaking three very persistent Broodys without caging them. But this scenario leaves me feeling helpless and tugs on my heart. Not a vet and not very experienced. Was up every few hours last night checking on my Ivy. Praying she makes it through. I will let you all know how the medications do for her. Please let me know about eating. I don’t want her starving but don’t want to clog up her throat.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would not give her oil orally in case she chokes on it. But you can give the oil mixed into some feed mixed with water or egg. Or if you have coconut oil, put a spoonfull in the freezer for a few minutes and give her some chips of that. I would rather that she take the water on her own by offering her a small cup or spoonful up to her beak.

Having problems breathing is scary to anyone, so don’t feel bad. I would try to get her to take some wet chicken feed, some cooked egg, and tuna and liver or alright to give. I use a small bowl, and add water to it as they drink.

 

[Legend17]

Well, I was hoping that she would be better after a few hours, but it sounds like something is really going on. If you can get the Tylan 50 along with a few 3 ml syringes and 18 or 20 gauge needles, and start giving that orally by removing the needle, a drop at a time. And give the fenbendazole orally as well. That would help if it is gapeworm or a respiratory infection. Feel of her crop to see if it is empty this morning. If it is puffy or hard, that is not normal.

Good update! Ivy is doing better!! Tylan 50 is out at my feedstore. Instead they suggested to use Duramycin 72-200 for respiratory infections in chickens. Said it worked the same and the Poultry Judge and Leader happen to be in the feedstore at the same time and she said she used this on her chickens before with respiratory infections and it worked great. Ivy is eating and drinking on her own. When I returned home her breathing is still wheezy but her redness is going down and she is not holding her mouth open anymore or is she struggling to breathe as hard. The Vetrx must be helping and the steam suggestion I used must have helped her lungs. She is still ill but not near as bad. I believe she will be okay!! I think I will hold off on the wormer for now but have you used Duramycin 72-200? I will order the Tylan 50 online to have on hand in case this happens again but very pleased with how she is responding with the VetRX and TLC. Please advise if you have used the Dyramycin and your thoughts on it please. Thank you for all your support and advice with my little Ivy!

 

[Eggcessive]

I have not used Duramycin injectable. It would work, but I have read that the injections may be painful. Did they give you the dosage they recommend, because it can be hard to find it for chickens. Some links say to use it one a day, while others say to give it every 3 days. Here in post 7 is a link in a veterinary drug book which fives two dosages:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...cycline-or-oxytetracycline-injections.713434/

 

[Eggcessive]

If giving an intramuscular injection to a chicken, I would use a 20 or 22 gauge needle, and insert it only 1/4 inch into the fattest part of the breast muscle. Alternate sides each injection.

 

[Legend17]

Thank you for getting back to me. I have not given intramuscular but I will if I have to. The feed store is going to see if they can get me the tylan 50 by tomorrow. I will go pick it up just to be prepared in case things decline or anyone else becomes ill. I would prefer to not inject her and make this whole process as painless and stressfree as possible. Dosing amounts recommended was .2ml for three days. Not to exceed past that. I have decided to hold off on the antibiotics to see how she is doing as she continues to get better with the VetRX. I just spent the last hour hanging out with her and she is eating, scratching, and drinking. Coming up asking for treats and her wheezing is not near as loud. Still red around the eyes and beak but no mucous, discoloration or patches inside the beak and throat and her crop feels good. Stool looks normal as well.

 

[Eggcessive]

Please let us know how she is getting along tomorrow, and I hope that she gets better soon. With chickens, they can suffer from viruses (ILT, infectious bronchitis) or bacterial diseases (mycoplasma gallisepticum and coryza.) Fungal diseases can come from mold. Here is a link about those and other common diseases:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[Legend17]

Thank you for the article! Ivy is much better today! Has her sweet little voice back and wheezing is gone. Not sure what got her but I believe her lungs did not do well with the sudden cold spell we got this last week and snow. I put a red lamp bulb in place of our regular bulb we use for light when we go in which is placed above the roost where she slept the last two nights and put extra fermented feed for extra water for food for the flock and she appears fully recovered. I put some garlic and oregano in their water and hoping nobody else comes down with similar symptoms. So far the whole flock looks great!

 

[Eggcessive]

Glad to hear that she is doing better and hope no one else gets symptoms as well. Thank you for the update.