Eglu Go Up (with 2m run) - South Wales

[PRW]

Hi

 

Last week I noticed that my 12 month old Sussex, was wheezing and occationally sneezing. She was behaving normally and still laying. I took her to a vet who decided it may be an infection or Gape worm. She has now completed a course of Baytril and Panacur, and is now even less happy. She picked up after about 3 days, but is now not well and is not behaving normally any more. I haven't got much confidence in the vet, as he seemed unsure of which drugs to give, and overdosed her with the Panacur, giving 5ml, instead of 0.5 ml. I received a phone call in the evening, amending the dosage! As a result I am reluctant to return.

 

My question is, how long before these drugs can be expected to work? Could it be anything else?

 

She is still laying (up until yesterday), there is no discharge from her nasal openings, and her droppings are normal. She is now sitting hunched, and stretching her neck slightly every time she takes a breath.

 

Thank you in advance for your advice.

[Chucky Mama]

If you have completed the course of Baytril and it was going to work you should have seen some sort of response within 3-4 days of starting it. I would be inclined to get the vet to reexamine her, it is possible that she needs and extended course of anti biotics which you can only get from the vets.

[Egluntyne]

I'd ask him/her if a double dose Flubenvet might be a good idea if she does have gape worm.

[PRW]

Thanks for the advice. She seems a little better today, so I will see how she goes. I am reluctant to revisit the same vet, as it's expensive a £40 a throw, especially when I have little confidence in them. The Panacur would have cured the Gapeworm, and the Baytril should have had an effect on an infection. I'm going to keep an eye on her and see how she goes, but if she gets worse, I will visit a different vet. We don't seem to have a poultry vet within 50 miles!

 

Her eyes are bright, so I'm a little confused as to why she is still wheezy. Last week she was gulping corn and some went down the wrong way. You know what chickens are like. I told the vet, but he seemed unconcerned. I have a feeling she may have something stuck in her windpipe?

 

Thanks again.

[Jools]

Some respiratory infections take a couple of courses of antibiotics to clear them. Your vet may prescribe a second course over the phone if that's what you think it is.

 

I know the something-stuck-in-the-windpipe-thing as one or two of mine are gluttons and try to eat everything before anyone else can get to it. Sometimes they sounds as though they're choking to breathe until it clears. I don't know what to suggest for something stuck for so long though. It may be just a matter of time for it to clear .... or not.

 

Good luck.

[PRW]

Another week, another course of antibiotics, and no change! Her behaviour is completely normal, red comb, bright eyes, eating, laying, but she sounds like she smokes 100 a day, and can't chuck. If she runs, she looks like she is about to croak, gasping for air

[Chucky Mama]

Baytril and worming with either Flubenvet or Panacur and pretty much standard for 1st line treatment for none specific illness. To investigate it more fully is going to cost and whilst you may get a diagnosis it doesn't necessarily mean that you are going to get a cure alongside that diagnosis. Even if there is some sort of obstruction only close investigation and removal will resolve your issue. So, you have to live with it or pay and get it investigated more fully really, either with the first vet (often 2nd consultations are cheaper) or someone new with more experience. I would also just make sure that the Panacur has been given at the correct dose for gapeworm.

[staceychristie]

PRW, Where are you based? You've not entered that into your profile (someone may be able to advise, or ask the poultry club of GB if there is anyone)

 

Stacey

[PRW]

Sorry Stacey, I didn't realise there was a profile I have entered my location now.

 

Rachel, I totally understand, and to be honest I have now come to the conclusion that I will just give her time and see how it goes. She is not showing signs of distress, and when she does I will then decide what to do next. In the end, I cannot justify spending a lot of money on veterinary investigations for a single chicken.

 

The dosage of Panacur was 0.5ml of 10% liquid for 5 days. The first dose given was 5ml, but the vet then phoned me to say he overdosed and I should only give 0.5ml for the next 4 days.

 

I will update this thread if anything develops, and thank you all for your help.

[Chucky Mama]

I think that you have a realistic approach as to how to play things. If she is comfortable then there should be nothing to loose by taking the wait and see approach. After all one of the greatest healers is still time

[staceychristie]

PRW, I know what you mean about vets bills, but you've got to be kind to her if you think she's suffering.

They hide their illnesses well, but all you can do is keep an eye on how she moves and reacts to the others (like feed,drink,pops)

 

Stacey

[PRW]

At the moment she is still actively eating, and drinking. She is laying eggs too. Her poo is completely normal. I am beginning to wonder if this is a heart problem? The vet listened to her heart and lungs. The only comment he made was that the wheeze was in the upper part of her respiratory system, and not actually her lungs.

I may give her another dose of worm treatment, but I sincerely doubt its gape.

[PRW]

Sadly my Sussex had a heart attack this morning

I would love to know the cause of her illness, but I suppose I'll never know.

 

On the question of vets fees, I am not happy paying fees to vets who do not seem confident with chickens, but I would be happy to pay for a vet who seems confident with poultry. When the vet thought it may be gape worm, I asked him to dispense me enough wormer for my flock (7 birds), but he wanted to see them one at a time, if and when they got poorly...oh yes, at £40 a pop! Unfortunately, I could not find a vet who specialises in poultry near me, but if anyone can recommend a vet near Plymouth, I would appreciate it.

 

Thank you for the advice.

 

Paul

[Chucky Mama]

Oh Paul I am sorry to hear that she didn't make it. The worming thing re seeing each bird is annoying but unfortunately as Panacur is not licensed for poultry the regulations state that they must write an 'off license' prescription for it and legally they have to have seen each animal It will annoy your vet as well as you but with the litigious society that we now live in many vets wont take any chances.

[PRW]

Rachel, thank you for explaining the situation regarding the Panacur. It makes sense now, thank you.

 

On a positive note, at least it doesn't seem she had anything infectious.

 

Paul