Hen gasping for breathe, possibly dying

[wrenhen]

I have a 10 month old brown leghorn/copper maran cross hen. She was totally healthy and active this morning. She’s never shown signs of sickness.
I found her just a moment ago gasping for breathe with a blue comb on the ground. I felt her crop and it seemed normal and full of seeds/feed. I looked in her mouth and her throat looks clear. She can’t walk and looks like she’s getting closer to dying. She will randomly panic and flap, before looking dead then go back to gasping.
What could be happening? I don’t know if I can do anything to help her.

 

[wrenhen]

 

[wrenhen]

I left her out by the field to maybe die and I came to check on her an hour later and her head was up and she tried to get up and walk away from me. Still gasping and weak but not totally dead looking. I put her in a cage so nobody can get to her and see if she maybe recovers.
Still curious what might be happening.

No discharge or swelling. Clear vent. Doesn’t feel like anything is crushed or broken. Clear eyes. No other birds are acting sick in any way.

 

[WingItRanch]

@Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive @azygous

 

[wrenhen]

It’s dark now but she’s standing, still gasping (which is making a wheeze noise in and out), seems like some color has returned to her comb… still not sure if she will make it.

Only factor I can think is it got to 77 today when it’s been averaging 50’s the past week, and before then colder. Maybe heat stroke?

 

[tlcmurphy]

Sounds like she’s choking on something? I don’t know how to help that

 

[WingItRanch]

Yeah my first instinct was that she was choking since.you said trouble breathing and blue comb but I'm not sure which is why I tagged some educators.

I doubt it's the heat. Only a 20 degree increase to 70s shouldn't cause heat stroke. Obviously she looks much better in the 2nd photo so that's something. You could try giving her electrolytes in her water.

 

[Anon112]

Could she possibly have been having a seizure? Very mysterious, but I'm glad she's up on her feet.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Please don't bathe her, that could push her over the edge.

 

[wrenhen]

Could she possibly have been having a seizure? Very mysterious, but I'm glad she's up on her feet.

I have no idea, it’s very odd. I tried massaging her throat and crop and made her vomit a bit to see if it did anything but I don’t think it helped. Just gave her some water and let her rest, not sure what else to do to help her. Just wait and see if she can get over it. Might post videos if anyone’s interested in the behavior.