How long does upper respiratory infection last?

[FluffyFeathers_03]

Hi everyone, I have a hen with an upper respiratory infection. I don’t know what kind of infection it is since I’m not bringing her into the vet. It’s my first time with a sick hen, she gasps for air, wheezing, and coughing. Anyways, back to my original question, I was just wondering how long it takes for them to recover? Google has such mixed results, anywhere from 2 weeks to 25 weeks, so I thought I’d ask the experts here. I have been giving her Sav-A-Chick electrolytes and probiotics along with VetRx for about 4 weeks. She is a Barred Rock.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!!

Mine have had a few sniffles of sorts and a minor respiratory infection which took them a few days was all. I gave them vitamin water (Poultry Cell). They always get probiotics as I ferment grains.

I had one get it really bad, so her I brought in the house and gave fishmox I think it's called. It's amoxicillin. I gave that to her for a week and she was better before the week was over.

The VetRx I do as well, a drop under their wings and one by their nostrils, but that's like human Vicks which doesn't cure anything but does make them feel better.

I hope she's feeling better soon! Otherwise, might need some antibiotics.

 

[Eggcessive]

Has she ever had a swollen eyelid or face, or bubbles/foam in one eye? Viruses can last around a month, and antibiotics do not treat those.Mg can be treated with some antibiotics, but it always remains in the body as a carrier. Symptoms may go away.

 

[Eggcessive]

Vet Rx is herbal oils plus camphor, and does not treat anything. It is similar to using Vicks. Besides MG and infectious bronchitis, there is ILT, coryza, and others. You might think about getting some testing through your state vet lab or Zoologix, a national lab.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is the list of state vets and the link for Zoologix:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

https://www.zoologix.com/

https://www.zoologix.com/avian/Datasheets/PoultryRespiratoryPanel.htm

 

[Aoife123]

Did your hen recover? I have 23 chickens in one run and I've had a respiratory infection moving throughout my flock for going on two months now. Some hens seem to be affected more than others. I am worried for one hen who has been open mouth gasping for about 2 weeks now maybe more. Sometimes she looks to be improving and then she back at it again. I just hope that she will recover. I've tried antibiotics and I've tried worming her incase of gape worm. She is still eating but less active than usual. She doesn't like roosting she wants to lie and the shelf. Some of my other hens had it but it was relatively mild just some snotting, sneezing, congestion and one hen had foam in the corner of her eyes but I'm worried I'll never get rid of this virus. I have 10 rescue hen in this run that are all in various stages of ill health anyway. I'm worried that they aren't able for this virus one top

 

[Eggcessive]

With the symptoms, it sounds like possible mycoplasma (MG.) Hard to know without testing or if you lose one, having the body looked at with a necropsy by your state vet.

What antibiotic did you use and how much? Tylosin powder in the water is a good one to try. Dosage is 1 tsp per gallon of water for 3-5 days. Treat only the ones with symptoms. Get it from here: https://birdpalproducts.com/product...YyoduXvuKrhYRECOZlNsHbLWjSTD3xzcQF4Y6hNl7DZld
Denagard (TiaGard) is also good for MG.

 

[Aoife123]

With the symptoms, it sounds like possible mycoplasma (MG.) Hard to know without testing or if you lose one, having the body looked at with a necropsy by your state vet.

What antibiotic did you use and how much? Tylosin powder in the water is a good one to try. Dosage is 1 tsp per gallon of water for 3-5 days. Treat only the ones with symptoms. Get it from here: https://birdpalproducts.com/product...YyoduXvuKrhYRECOZlNsHbLWjSTD3xzcQF4Y6hNl7DZld
Denagard (TiaGard)

 

[Eggcessive]

You can also start a new thread of your own, posting any pictures and details. New threads are easier for people to respond to. Here is where to do that, just fill in the blanks and details:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures.10/post-thread

 

[Aoife123]

I'd rather never know than have to lose one to find out. I gave her 0.2ml of 10%Baytril for 7 days as it was all I could get from local farm vets. They don't know enough about treating birds to be able to give anything else. She is eating and is not as bad as the first 2 days but very very slow to recover. I'm not sure if I can get either of the drugs you suggested as I'm in Ireland and I have never heard of them. I'm debating if it's worth a trip to the avian vet or is it likely a virus that can't be treated with antibiotics. At lest 5 or 6 hens have had it now and made it out the other side with no treatment. And I'm watching them like a hawk to make sure they are eating and that there condition is not worsening. I am no stranger to the vet as 10 of them are rescues they get a lot of reproductive infections so I'm used to keeping a close watch buy because this is my first time dealing with a virus it make me a bit nervous and because they are a bit miserable with the virus it makes it a bit harder to tell whether there is more than virus going on with some of them.