Gurgling and raspy/UPDATE/ Pretty sure it was the heat.

[Zonoma]

I just went out to check on the girls (heat advisory here) and I found one of my young (5-6 week) Sebrights gurgling and rasping. Is it possible that it is just because of the heat? Or will I need to cull it/them? I really, really don't want to infect my flock. I kept these chicks isolated for 2-3 weeks and thought they were healthy. They spent last night in a rabbit cage inside the main coop and NOW it is all wheezy.

Sounded like my kids when they have horrible bronchitis or something.

What are my options?

I don't want to infect my birds, but I can't keep them isolated forever.
I obviously can't sell them!
I don't want to cull but I'm not especially attached to these two - I am to the rest of my flock, though!

Some kind old-timer please tell me I'm being hasty and don't have to cull. Someone tell me that it was just panting heavily or something!

EDIT TO UPDATE: Brought them in, gave them cool water with ACV and they perked right up in a few hours. I think I caught them just in the nick of time. Conclusion? Heat exhaustion.

 

[goldeneggtees]

hmmm, I'm sorry but it doesn't sound good, not sure what I would do really. Get it away from the rest of the flock for sure. Good luck, sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[Nicole01]

Give them some polyvisol vitamins(no iron) in their water. Apple cider vinegar will help too. I almost lost my SS to brooder pneumonia. I could never cull her. I treated with antibiotics, probios, ACV, and vitamins. She fully recovered and is doing excellent. She was so sick that she could not stand and open her eyes. I'm so happy I saved her, she's one of my favorites.

She acquired the pneumonia from knocking over the waterer and sitting in wet pine overnight.

 

[sunnysongbird]

Could be gapeworm. Try worming them or using Flubenvet. Hope they feel better soon. That's been happening to my chicks too but I don't know what's causing it. Make sure your chickens are very well hydrated too, they could be thirsty.

 

[Zonoma]

Quote:
Mine did the same thing last night. I actually ran out to give them both some apple cider vinegar while I was waiting on a response. Polyvisol- do you have a recommendation on the right antibiotic and dosage? I have kefer for the probios and uncultured ACV. ...Just a thought- I have some unprocessed honey from my bro-in-law's hive. Would that work in lieu of antibiotics?

EDIT: Meant to ask where to find Polyvisol.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Polyvisol without iron at your local pharmacy or WalMart. It's for babies.

 

[Zonoma]

Quote:
And the dosage? Pretty please? I'll pick some up tonight!

 

[Echobabe]

Fenbendazole (Panacur goat wormer) for gapeworm. Available at TSC or online.

If she's gasping, only give a 50% solution the first week (1 cup mixed solution to 1 cup water), then a full solution in 7 days. The mixing instructions are 3ml in 1 gallon water (1 ml to 42 oz). You may want to do the entire flock if you thinks it's worms, since you have to hold back the eggs for 10 days or just isolate the 1 bird to treat her. Use as the only source of water for 2 days.

Good luck.

PS. The bird that is struggling is probably having a worse time in this heat. I would bring her into your house if you have air conditioning.

 

[Nicole01]

Mine was gasping due to pnemounia, not gapeworm. I used 1ml polvisol per quart of water for the whole flock and the sick bird, I put a couple drops down the beak twice a day. For antibiotics, I used fish mox which is pure amoxicillan. I sprinkled a little bit in their wet feed. I didn't want to over dose on the amoxicillan. I have 250mg capsules. You can buy them at a pet store or online. Some people use tylan. I'm pretty sure the vitamins is what saved her.

 

[Zonoma]

I've just moved them BACK inside (not happy about that) to keep a closer eye on the two of them. They now have ACV and will have vitamins tomorrow at the very least.