Auntie FiFi Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Hi all. Just wondered whether anyone had experienced something similar to me. I bought some new bantams about 10 days ago. On the day after we got them I noticed that the smallest one, Pixie, looked really unhappy. The next day, Monday, I noticed that another smaller one, Helen, was really wheezing. So, I took these two babes to the vet and she gave them an anitibiotic injection. I really thought there was not much hope for Pixie as she had no apparent symptoms and was very small and skinny and obviously poorly. Anyway, the next day, the two bigger girls were wheezing, so off we trot to the vet again, this time coming home with a course of Baytril, the last dose of which they had yesterday morning. In addition, I also gave Pixie some Verm-x, just to try and eliminate any unknowns! All four chickens really picked up and have been fantastic - eating and drinking and generally being more chicken-like. However, this morning Helen has really gone down hill rapidly- so much so that I have bought her inside and she's in a basket- she cannot really stand and is just lying with her head up but eyes closed. Poor little lamb - what I can't understand is that she seemed to have such a good recovery from her cold/wheezing and I just don't know what has gone wrong. All other girls are, at the moment, absolutely fine. I'm not going to try and get Helen to the vet as I really think she wouldn't survive the journey. If anyone has experienced a fantastic recovery and then a rapid decline like this , I would be interested to hear from you! Best wishes to all x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Sorry I can't help with much in the way of advice, but have you contacted the breeder....it sounds like they came with something & may have passed it around the rest of them If you can't/won't take her to the vet, the best you can do for her is keep her warm and hydrated.....if she was so poorly such a short time ago the cold weather will not help her at all. Try & get her to drink & eat something sloppy,, with some Avipro or Lifeguard in to boost her a little. I have Hazel (Batty) in a cage next to me as she is suffering dreadfully with the cold, she's not eating so not making heat so getting cold so not eating.....vicious circle She's much better than she was yesterday & I think will be indoors now until the snow & ice has cleared. Good luck with your newbies, I hope they all pick up quickly Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 I'm afraid this doesn't sound good at all. Everything Wild Mum has said is correct. I think it would unlikely for Helen to perk up again without intervention and I'd be worried about the rest of them. It sounds to me slightly as tho the antibiotics worked but possibly the girls could do with another course to really see off whatever it was. As the vet has already seen her and prescribed you should be able to call them and if they think its a good idea get a 'repeat' prescription. If you feel unable to give an injection, depending on the AB you could ask for it in liquid form to give by syringe (although it isn't as fast acting as a needle). If you don't go to the vet and she dies I would seriously consider asking for more ABs (again the repeat prescription) for the rest of the mob (particularly Pixie as she sounds the most vulnerable) and/or consider a PM on Helen. I know this sounds a bit harsh but something is obviously not right. Did the vet say what he/she thought was wrong? Knowing the problem helps when contacting a breeder - but I do have to say (and I know others disagree with me) that a bird can genuinely be fine at the breeders yet die/fall ill quickly after getting them home. Moving can be traumatic and is often the trigger to bring out a latent weakness - often of a respiratory nature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auntie FiFi Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 many thanks for your replies - we're off to the vet in about 15 mins but I don't know whether she'll even make it that far. I have spoken to the breeder - who had infact only had them 10 days himself (I had assumed from what he had said that he had bred them himself). It's very hard to get an answer from anyone as no-one wants to admit that they may have a problem on their farm. I can't even get definitive answers as to what exactly they have been vaccinated against, whether they were wormed properly etc. This wasn't a recommended breeder so I shall be sticking to those in future - although the place I got them looked clean and the birds seemed well looked after etc. The vet did say that the trauma of moving them can bring out underlying problems - eg this respiratory infection. But I don't think this is the only problem we have. As you say, a PM would be best to avoid the other babes getting sick again. Thanks again for your replies. Let's hope this snow doesn't last much longer. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Don't give up hope. Exactly the same thing happened with Phillip. He had a relapse, but a second course of Baytril worked. My vet was quite happy to prescribe a second dose without another visit. Fingers crossed for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Oh dear she does sound very poorly, poor poppet. Respiratory infections can really take hold if not treated early. I reckon these hens were already infected before you had them and they would have showed signs of wheezing with the breeder as your hen does sound very unwell, I hope she makes it however if she doesn't I would definitely take this up with whom you have purchased them from as you haven't had them that long. Let us know how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 So sorry about your poorly hen, I hope she is getting on alright. Thinking of you both. {Hugs} xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 How did it go? Thinking of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 I have spoken to the breeder - who had infact only had them 10 days himself (I had assumed from what he had said that he had bred them himself). It's very hard to get an answer from anyone as no-one wants to admit that they may have a problem on their farm. I can't even get definitive answers as to what exactly they have been vaccinated against, whether they were wormed properly etc. This wasn't a recommended breeder so I shall be sticking to those in future - although the place I got them looked clean and the birds seemed well looked after etc. The vet did say that the trauma of moving them can bring out underlying problems - eg this respiratory infection. But I don't think this is the only problem we have. As you say, a PM would be best to avoid the other babes getting sick again. I'm sorry you've had to learn the hard way It sounds very much as though you've encountered someone dealing in poultry rather than a reputable breeder. With the increase in popularity of the hobby, there are far too many people out to make a fast buck by buying up cheap stock (usually at auction) and then moving them on for a profit. It's never good for the poor birds because stress is the biggest cause of their health problems. It does sound very much like they have a respiratory problem, most likely mycoplasma, but of course your vet will know best. Hopefully they will prescribe more AB's to clear up any lingering problems, but you may still lose some. If you do decide to have one PM'd, be aware that it's best done "fresh" and even then it may not tell you all you want to know. It's very unlikely that they will have been vaccinated against anything as it usually only commercial breeders that do that, or specialists who've had particular problems. As for worming, well once they're on the road to recovery, then that's the time to start so you don't overload their systems. And just one more thing (sorry, once I get going, I don't know when to stop!!), the AB's will most likely cause them to have loose droppings, so it's a good idea to either add something like Herban (an oregano based product) to their drinking water and/or feed them a little live yoghurt to settle them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Sorry to hear about this. I hope they respond to the antibiotics quickly. I'd be asking for my money back, or a contribution to the vet fees from the 'breeder'. A very hard lesson learned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auntie FiFi Posted January 13, 2010 Author Share Posted January 13, 2010 Hi all - many thanks for all your messages. Very sad to report that Helen died yesterday. I took her to the vet and, as I suspected, she really was very poorly (eyes closed and not opening at all, breathing but not able to stand up etc) - so I asked the vet to do the kindest thing. I am sending her off for a PM so that we can hopefully have an idea of what happened. Certainly I am sure that her wheezing/cold had cleared up completely and I think it may have been an internal parasite infection of some sort, although no sign of diarrhoea. So, until we get the result of the PM (delayed obviously due to very bad weather today), am treating the remaining girls with Flubenvet. They all seem to have recovered from their colds but am listening out for further symptoms. Meanwhile they are in the garage with a heater, duvet over the Eglu etc. What a traumatic time. On a positive note, one of our new girls, Kate, did lay her first egg yesterday - clever chuck!! Many thanks to all xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Sad news Hope others are ok and well done Kate. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 very sorry to hear this; you tried everything but yes, well done Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 How sad. I'm so sorry. You did the best you could. RIP Helen. {{Big Hugs}} xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 I'm sad to read about little Helen, but she's not suffering any more & you did all you could to make her comfortable at the end I hope the PM gives you some answers and the other girls continue to improve. Well done Kate, for every bad happening a good one balances it {{hugs}} to you all, Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
