twinkle1001 Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 Hi, I had to take one of my ex-batts to the emergency vet yesterday as she was all hunched over and seemed to be working hard to breathe. She gave her an antibiotic injection and also an anti-inflammatory as she (the vet) thought it was a respiratory infection. I have Baytril to give her day and night for the next week but was wondering what could have caused this and if there is anything I can do to maximise her chances (apaprently it can get bad pretty quickly?). I only have one other bird at the moment - also an ex-batt - and am terrified of what will happen if I do lose the poorly one as I don't want to have to rehome the well bird and I know she can't stay on her own. Oh! The joys of chicken keeping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 Could be a few things of which mycoplasma gallisepticum is perhaps the most common. Keep her inside in the warm so she can use her energy fighting the infection rather than staying warm. When mine have had this I have dabbed a bit of eucylyptus oil around the room they are in to help with the breathing but not sure how much difference it makes. You did the right thing getting her to the vets so quickly. Hope she picks up soon.They are a worry, aren't they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twinkle1001 Posted January 4, 2011 Author Share Posted January 4, 2011 Thanks for that - do you think it would be an idea to use the eucalyptus in the eglu overnight (kind of like Vick on the pillow)? Also, Ive out extra straw into the house for them to snuggle in during the cold weather but now I am concerned that this may have exacerbated the breathing? Eek! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 have yo any vet bed? It MAY help to remove any dusty bedding. I would do as Egghead suggested and keep them in the warm . good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 Yes - definitely get them inside. Can you use towels or shredded paper as bedding for now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twinkle1001 Posted January 5, 2011 Author Share Posted January 5, 2011 She seems a little brighter today - fighting me more when I give her the Baytril syringe, so that must be a good sign! Do you think it is worthwhile giving her some water with Avipro in by syringe as well? She was munching on some warm porridge with mealy worms when I left this morning so I am hopeful she is on the mend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 will she eat grapes? melon? cucumber? all have high water content so she won't get dehydrated and you won't need to struggle with her. Me I would sprinkle some avipro on her porridge, just a little, don't want to put her off it. would use avipro whe she is eating better which hopefully will be soon. just my opinion, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Glad to hear she's doing better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
