Suspect Respiratory Infection. VetRx or Tylan 50 or something else.

[bbowen]

A have a hen who is 2.5 years old. Yesterday she was lethargic, laying under the ramp to the coop. Today, I found her there again but she is keeping her right eye closed. She won't move, eat or drink. Ive tried scrambled egg and bread soak in olive oil. Ive dipped her beak in water and when I take it away she will open her beak a little.

Based on what Ive read here and else where I suspected a respiratory infection. I just went to TS and got some VetRx solution as well as Tylan 50 solution and syringes.

Which shouldI try first or should I do something else.

Ive brought her inside so the others won't bother her.

Thanks.

 

[dawg53]

When was the last time you wormed her?

 

[bbowen]

They've never been wormed. Never noticed anything to indicate worms.

 

[dawg53]

You are most likely seeing the effects of worms; lethargic, slowed or no eating/drinking, no egg laying etc...
It's not necessary to see worms in feces in order to have them.
Have you seen anything to indicate a respiratory disease, such as; bubbly eyes, runny nostrils, wheezing, gurgling, rattling, head shaking, sneezing, facial swelling?

 

[bbowen]

The one eye shut was an indicator I thought due to swelling of the sinus. There's a slight bubbling noise when she breathes through the nose.

What's the best wormer if she won't eat or drink? I'll have to dose the other 4 as well.

Thanks.

 

[dawg53]

The one eye shut was an indicator I thought due to swelling of the sinus. There's a slight bubbling noise when she breathes through the nose.

What's the best wormer if she won't eat or drink? I'll have to dose the other 4 as well.

Thanks.

Worms can weaken a chickens immune system to the point that diseases can invade their system. If you wish, you could take a fresh fecal sample to a vet and have them look at it under a microscope to verify if it's worms, shouldnt cost much. In any case there are 2 wormers I recommend; safeguard liquid goat wormer or valbazen liquid cattle/sheep wormer. You can check your feed store to see if they have either product.

 

[bbowen]

The vets around here won't deal with chickens at all. Also, she hasn't had a bowel movement since I isolated her. I can call tomorrow and check but I'm just wondering if it would be better to just worm her as soon as I can get the medicine.

I'm hoping Tractor Supply has the ones you mentioned. My local didn't have the Trylan or VetRx so I drove 40 miles to get it.

 

[kittynpuppy]

I don't have any advice, but I do have sympathy. Last year we went through the same thing with one of our americanas and all the vets around here would not help us either. We had not found this lovely site of chicken lovers at the time so we really had no idea what to do. dawg53 seems like he is really experienced and I think it's wonderful there is someone helping you with this. Good luck to you both!

 

[dawg53]

The vets around here won't deal with chickens at all. Also, she hasn't had a bowel movement since I isolated her. I can call tomorrow and check but I'm just wondering if it would be better to just worm her as soon as I can get the medicine.

I'm hoping Tractor Supply has the ones you mentioned. My local didn't have the Trylan or VetRx so I drove 40 miles to get it.

If TSC doesnt have either product, you can order either wormer from Jefferslivestock.com or call them if you wish. You might want to go with the 125ml bottle of safeguard liquid goat wormer since you only have 5 hens, alot cheaper and will last you a long time, it's a very good wormer.

 

[dawg53]

As a last resort, I'm sure TSC has equine wormers. You can purchase safeguard equine paste. It comes in a green and yellow box, like a toothpaste size box. That will work also.