Chickens not walking, some have respiratory issues. What's going on?

[coach723]

Do you know what they are testing for?
If they are PCR testing for multiple things, those labs can be expensive. I have a cat with chronic uveitis, and for exam and uveitis panel, which covers a fair amount of possible causes (PCR) my bill was over $800. Most of that was for the labs. It totally sucks that it cost that much, but it's, sadly, the reality, particularly if you have to see a specialist. We had an emergency visit that was just under $2000, for the same cat, all to hopefully preserve her vision. It is suspected that her issue is autoimmune, so all testing is basically to rule everything else out, and so far that is what it looks like. So I completely understand where you are coming from. It's always a personal decision, particularly with a chicken, whether the cost is worth it. I would never try to decide that for someone else. Many do not seek vet care for their birds for that reason, be it right or wrong.
And depending on the practice, the doctors themselves may have no, or little, choice in what they can and can't do. Some of the larger corporate practices are more about the bottom line. Sadly. I have a family member that was a vet tech for one of them for a while, and will never work there again due to their practices. But there are some good ones out there, you just have to find one, if there is one close enough. When it comes to birds, the choices are much more limited.

 

[Lyris]

Do you know what they are testing for?
If they are PCR testing for multiple things, those labs can be expensive. I have a cat with chronic uveitis, and for exam and uveitis panel, which covers a fair amount of possible causes (PCR) my bill was over $800. Most of that was for the labs. It totally sucks that it cost that much, but it's, sadly, the reality, particularly if you have to see a specialist. We had an emergency visit that was just under $2000, for the same cat, all to hopefully preserve her vision. It is suspected that her issue is autoimmune, so all testing is basically to rule everything else out, and so far that is what it looks like. So I completely understand where you are coming from. It's always a personal decision, particularly with a chicken, whether the cost is worth it. I would never try to decide that for someone else. Many do not seek vet care for their birds for that reason, be it right or wrong.
And depending on the practice, the doctors themselves may have no, or little, choice in what they can and can't do. Some of the larger corporate practices are more about the bottom line. Sadly. I have a family member that was a vet tech for one of them for a while, and will never work there again due to their practices. But there are some good ones out there, you just have to find one, if there is one close enough. When it comes to birds, the choices are much more limited.

I have no idea what the bloodwork is for. He just said he needed it and left. It was $300 for that alone. When my cat gets a full workup on her it's $200 at most. I'm still waiting for them to get around to taking her for testing. I would honestly say no except three other chickens had blue combs today and one happens to be my favorite chicken ever. I have fifteen chickens who are likely infected so I'll have to treat them all eventually. I'm just miffed that I have no clue what's going on. Dude didn't even listen when I tried to explain that her eye is probably dirt and another chicken is likely blind from the illness. I think I saw him for all of two minutes. I'm used to my vet who asks about my other pets whenever I come in. I had one cat in for an abscess, and then three months later I had a different cat in for more blood work. Before the vet would talk about anything else when he came in he asked for an update on the first cat and asked some questions to make sure my cat was doing okay. I think I'm in a bit of shock at the difference. But at least maybe they'll have an idea what's going on. I think. Who knows.

After this I get to make doctor appointments for *me.* I've put off a massive toothache and an ear infection for these stupid animals. They're incredibly lucky I happen to have the money and love them.

 

[coach723]

I'm very sorry. I have "fired" vets in the past when I'm not happy with various things. There are good and bad ones, just like any other vocation. I hope you at least get some answers.

 

[Barnette]

I have no idea how much it would typically cost for a chicken, but I'm not happy. I knew they overcharged, but that seems excessive. The vet barely looked at her or spoke. He felt for her being egg bound, glanced at her eye, and declared he needed all the tests without explaining what they did. I had to Google to figure out why they needed them. They're in such a hurry that they have zero bedside manner. I had a bad feeling about them from the start. I should have left when three people in the waiting room complained about the prices and attitudes. I'm legit almost crying about it. That and the whole "this might not give us all the information we need and we will have to run more tests." Supposedly they can treat my entire flock, but he only vaguely mentioned antibiotics ("we can try some antibiotics if we have to but they may not work since we don't know what we're looking for") so idk. I can't afford all these vet fees!

I got charged $300 for antibiotics and an X-ray once for one of my hens, but I had a Go-Fund-Me set up that paid for it.

 

[Lyris]

A thousand dollar and three hours later we discovered she has parasites (no idea what kind, he has no way to tell I guess?) she has pneumonia, she had dirt in her eye, and she has a vitamin deficiency. They're all unrelated so that's fun.

 

[coach723]

They should be able to tell you what parasite. And they all could be related. Parasites can weaken them, leaving the vulnerable to other illness. Any sick bird that is not eating well can develop deficiencies. Pneumonia could be aspergillosis, or could be an indication of another respiratory disease. Best of luck, I hope treatment helps and you are able to get them all better.

 

[Lyris]

They should be able to tell you what parasite. And they all could be related. Parasites can weaken them, leaving the vulnerable to other illness. Any sick bird that is not eating well can develop deficiencies. Pneumonia could be aspergillosis, or could be an indication of another respiratory disease. Best of luck, I hope treatment helps and you are able to get them all better.

That's what I thought. When I asked he brushed it off and just said no. Are all parasites treated the same way? It seems like maybe there would be different medications for them. I don't know if the antibiotic will treat any respiratory illness or if they need specific ones for specific things. He kind of implied that they were just guessing on which antibiotic to give her. I also asked if the illness could be why one of my chickens is blind, or if a specific thing *could* have caused it. (I detailed said specific thing) He again brushed it off with a "I don't know" and hurried to his next patient. (They were WAY overbooked) I'm glad I know how to give them medications. They didn't explain that at all. They never did explain why their combs kept going a bruised color which came and went. When I let them out in the morning their combs are very blue. During the day it goes away. Penelope's comb turned blue again after her X-rays. That's one mystery I'd like to solve.

I'm glad the girls are getting help, don't get me wrong, but I wasn't impressed with the vet. Neither were three other people there who yelled at the receptionist. I'm waiting for the girls to go home tonight so they won't fight me for medication. I had to weigh them earlier. That took thirty minutes to catch them. I need to get a larger fishing net. I likely won't be able to get antibiotics for the other girls until tomorrow, but things are looking better! I dread trying to get the broody hen her medication... She's a bit evil. Now she's evil with the added frustration that the full size hens eggs won't fit under her tiny bantam booty. At this point I'm over them being sick.

 

[coach723]

There are wormers that will treat the majority of worms if dosed correctly (fenbendazole and albendazole are most common), but coccidia and tapeworm usually need a different medication. I would assume that whether they tell you or not, they will ID the parasite before giving you medication, it would not make sense to do otherwise.

 

[Lyris]

Two hopefully quick followup questions.

1) how do you get a chicken to take a thick syrup type medication when it tastes nasty? It won't go down the side of her beak like liquid. It's the parasite medication. Considering the smell is worse than those outdoor bags you hang to catch flies (it's BAD) I can't imagine it tastes good. Penelope fought me so much it took thirty minutes to get half a syringe down, and I'm not convinced most of it didn't just run down her chin. Since she's one of the tame chickens I imagine if will be a death match with the feistier ones. I don't want to snap their neck by accident or send liquid down the wrong pipe.

2) I'm curious how the respiratory problems caused walking issues. How are the two related? She's eating fine so I don't think it would be a vitamin thing. And how come it turns their combs a bruised purple/blue? Circulation? I'm incredibly curious and want to educate myself, but I don't know what I'd look up.

Penelope is already walking a bit, just with a dragging leg. She's not using her wings as much to balance. She *might* be having vision problems in the not eye, but I'm not totally sure. She sometimes sticks her head close to the grass and turns her face to look better. She could just be thinking though. I'm a bit paranoid after ending up with four blind chickens. (Three of them weren't my fault!) I'm hoping with medication if she *does* have problems her vision will recover. I can't handle another blind chickens right now.

 

[coach723]

What is the medication? Did they tell you what parasite?
Birds combs can turn blue or darker during times of stress or excitement, and that's not a problem. If it's related to a problem then it can be an indication of not enough oxygen getting in the blood or circulation/heart problems. Can you post pictures of the eyes of birds that are blind or that you suspect are blind? Up close and in focus would be helpful.