Wheezing chicken, differential diagnosis

[AdiosCowboy]

I have a chicken that has been losing weight for almost a month now; she is eating, but not as much as my other two and lost weight gradually. Yesterday she began wheezing although otherwise acting completely normal. I took her to a vet this morning and she said it was probably worms in her lower respiratory tract so she gave her Ivermectin and will prescribe an antibiotic (TBD) that I can give her at home. However, I am still worried that it could be an infection since she didn't do labwork, but listened to the chickens lung sounds which were clear, and did a general physical inspection. Is it possible that an infection is still the problem and I should insist on blood tests or am I being a hypochondriac?

 

[AdiosCowboy]

Just got a call from the vet that she is having more trouble breathing and isn't eating or drinking. She got a shot of something to open her airway, but now she's being kept overnight and I'm increasingly worried that she won't make it. Does anyone have any idea why a seemingly healthy chicken would suddenly have trouble breathing and eating with no other symptoms (no sneezing, runny anything, open mouth breathing)?

 

[horsegal47]

Did your chicken survive? We have 4 week old chicks with similar issues and cannot figure out how to treat them. The don't have the smell of Coryza. As a precaution we are using Duramycin in the water 3/4 tsp. per 32 oz. We've looked in their throats and don't see any of the red worms described in gape worm. We are at a total loss as to what to do to help these poor babies. They were hatched at home and live outdoors with mama hen and papa rooster and they seem fine.