Antibiotic Scare

[The Kooky Kiwi]

I took one of my chickens for a vet consult the other day - as a representative for his flock who are all displaying mild but persistent signs of respiratory infection. My vet prescribed an injectable antibiotic with instructions to give either subcutaneously or intramuscularly. We injected 5 of the flock, intramuscular in the breast, and 1 subcutaneously. Two of the hens had an instantaneous and rather frightening reaction! Within seconds they went into what I described as shock - limp on the ground, one of them had a wee flutter (seizure?). Despite being completely horrified in that moment, and a bit tearful for my chickens, I gathered them up very quickly and propped them up in a hospital cage under a warm lamp. Several hours later they are recovering, eating and drinking a little bit, but are still not 100% Has anyone else ever experienced this when medicating their chickens? The other treated chickens had no ill effect at all, and have been going about their business as per normal. I have gotten NO work done today because I'm constantly checking the outside chickens (to check no delayed reactions) and hovering over the ones indoors.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Did you hit an air sac? That's all I can think. I know that can be really bad for birds

 

[The Kooky Kiwi]

Did you hit an air sac? That's all I can think. I know that can be really bad for birds

We were very careful to stay close to the breast bone.. but that was my worry too! The two ladies in question are perking up steadily though and no sign of respiratory distress that you might expect if their airways had been compromised so I was wondering if just plain shock due to the injection or weird reaction to the antibiotic??

 

[ackie]

I dont know anything about this but curious why you did one subcutaneous and the other intramuscular?

 

[The Kooky Kiwi]

I dont know anything about this but curious why you did one subcutaneous and the other intramuscular?

It was the chicken with the most severe symptoms (so I do need it treated) but also had to be done after the two that had bad reactions - so I made a decision to treat it anyway but to go subcutaneous as that is generally less invasive than an intramuscular application. He's absolutely fine after his dose.

 

[ackie]

Good decision.