chicken is acting normal but breathing heavily

[crazychicken5150]

She's eating and drinking normal and her poop is normal, eyes and nose are clear, no sneezing or coughing and no foul odors and staying with the flock but is breathing heavily whenever we get close to her, or right after she has been on the move in the yard or when she is on the roost in the chicken house at night, she's been isolated for the last couple of days and trying to communicate with the rest of the flock, any suggestions besides ending her life (that's what all the vets have told us to do).

 

[savingpurple]

not much experience, but could it be heat related? panting? mine are. just plain HOT where I am....

Hopefully another will come on that has more experience.

 

[CacklingCarolyn]

You say the vets have said to euthanize her. What did the vets say it is?

 

[crazychicken5150]

The vets didn't specify, they suggested taking her to a lab to have her tested, it is warm but she's not panting, she's breathing with her beak closed she sounds like a smoker more of a wheezing sound but also like a heavy nose breather.

 

[froggiesheins]

Before you cull her, try this first, isolate her from the rest of the crew, and give her an anitbiotic IM [injections] TYLAN 50 and AGRIMYCIN200 are the only 2 I can think of.

TYLAN50 .1ml [bantam] .1.5ml LF
AGRIMYCIN200: .1ml [bantam] .1.5 ml LF for 4 days.
I use insulin syringes and give electrolites in the water.

She might have a respritory illness starting OR its too dry for her OR she is sensitive to something enviornmental.
HOW OLD ARE THE BIRDS and where do you live?
Hope this helps.

 

[cocosandy]

try dennaguard. MG is rampant this year...it could be the start on an upper respiratory thing and thats why the vet is worried.
if its coryza then your whole flock could be lost...but without the eye/nose running and such, it may be a mycoplasma.
order some denaguard, and try some sulmet while you're waiting for it. if she gets worse or dies, have the poultry extension for a necropsy on her
or pay the vet to do it.
First state vet supply and randall burkey carry these meds....google denaguard because its rather new (to me anyway)
are you using deep litter in your coop or cleaning it out alot?
Chickens are very dusty and she could be having some reaction to too much dust in the coop...but heavy breathing should be looked at.
tylan 50 injected could help if its an infection. 1/2 cc in the breast for 5 days....I use that as my go-to for things like bumblefoot and such...It did help a turkey hen here who got a raspy breathing problem. It cleared right up after a few days of tylan injection. But that might have been just luck in that there are many infections and they dont all respond to all types of antibiotics.
vets are usually not very helpful and if they are an avian vet they may do aot of unnecessary tests. If you dont want to put her down then you can just try a few things.
it depends on what you have on hand...but the packet of terramycin at the feed store is usually not enough. so you may want to order a few things to try and then keep on hand.

 

[crazychicken5150]

My girls are 4 months old and i live in the foothills of california. Its really weird cause she is acting in perfect health gave her some fruits and vegies a littlebit before bed and she ate almost all of it she is standing up and talking. I will try those antibiotics will they hurt her if she dont need them? Also the gave me over the phone advise i dont have a vet in my town that deals with poultry.

 

[crazychicken5150]

I forgot to mention about the bedding i clean the bedding every sunday and just add new bedding through out the week

 

[froggiesheins]

Quote:
cocosandy, GREAT GREAT POST!! Love all your helpful info....Will add to my arsenal of info too...

 

[froggiesheins]

Quote:
No, the meds won't hurt at all.....better to catch it early if possible. Oh, and giving shots don't hurt the birdie at all. Just put her on her back cradled in your arm, get her calm, and find a nice meaty spot on the breast, and stick and go.

What kind of bedding are you using??