Help please! My hen has a respiratory disease.

[IncognitoMode4723]

The last day we gave Bertha Tiagard was Saturday 4/27/2024. Since then, Bertha’s symptoms have decreased significantly. She sneezes occasionally, and around the same time when she sneezes she will wheeze a little. Otherwise she is fine.

Is it okay to continue giving her Tiagard for a few more days? We have already finished the 5 day recommended treatment time for Tiagard. We are worried that she will get worse again when we stop giving it to her. If it is mycoplasma will it become resistant to Tiagard, in which case we would need to give her a different antibiotic?


One of our three hens, Mary, died on Sunday 4/28/2024 at about 12:28 PM. We thought she was eggbound, and we were going to soak her in an Epsom salt bath, but then she thrashed around and died within a matter of seconds. We will make a full post about this soon.

 

[coach723]

I would follow the instructions and dose according to those. For chickens it's usually 3 - 5 days treatment, I wouldn't go longer than that. Instead I would retreat when symptoms return. If it's MG then it is chronic and will recur, particularly during times of stress. The medications help treat the symptoms but it does not cure it. Some treat monthly to keep symptoms controlled. It's also very contagious, so if that's what it is you may need to treat all the flock.
If vet care is an option, they can test and tell you for sure. If you can get a necropsy on the one that died, they can do labs and tell you if it's present in that bird.

 

[IncognitoMode4723]

Thank you for the reply. Will Mycoplasma build resistance to Tiagard?

 

[coach723]

I don't know. Since it's just treating symptoms, and not curing.
I suppose over time it might become less effective, I just don't know.

 

[IncognitoMode4723]

We have bought the Tylosin Powder from Jedds Avian. It will come in on may 9th.

 

[IncognitoMode4723]

Are you able to get a hold of Tylosin (Tylan)? It's pretty accessible even without a vet. I would look up dosing for her weight and give to her orally for 30 days. It has very minimal, if any, side effects. It is used for respiratory illness caused by mycoplasma. If that's the issue, it should resolve rather quickly. If that isn't the issue, I would still keep her on it for a full 30 days. I believe the dosage we use is 1ml/kg of a 50.5mg/ml Tylosin solution. (So if you have a 3kg bird you would give 3ml of 50.5mg/ml solution). They have stuff you can put in their water but I think it works better if you administer directly, and my vet has said we shouldn't treat the whole flock.
This is just what I have learned throughout the many illnesses with my chickens. I hope it helps.
Edit to add: mycoplasma can cause egg issues as well, so I think it's worth a try

Is this dosage for Tylan injectable? I got a little confused about the dosage.

Because the Tylan on Jedds Avian (https://jedds.com/products/tylosin-powder) says dose is 1 teaspoon (5 grams) per 1 gallon of drinking water for 7 consecutive days. Is this the correct dosage and treatment time? It does not matter the weight of the hen?

Would it be alright to dose my other hen (The one not showing symptoms)? I don't want her to get sick like Bertha did.

 

[IncognitoMode4723]

How much Tylan soluble powder do I put in their water?

How do I know that she has gotten the full dose, since I am not giving it to her directly? My hens never drink the whole gallon of water. Does it matter that she doesn't drink all of it?

Also, does it taste bad, like Tiagard? Would I need to add sweetener?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Is this dosage for Tylan injectable? I got a little confused about the dosage.

Because the Tylan on Jedds Avian (https://jedds.com/products/tylosin-powder) says dose is 1 teaspoon (5 grams) per 1 gallon of drinking water for 7 consecutive days. Is this the correct dosage and treatment time? It does not matter the weight of the hen?

Would it be alright to dose my other hen (The one not showing symptoms)? I don't want her to get sick like Bertha did.

How much Tylan soluble powder do I put in their water?

How do I know that she has gotten the full dose, since I am not giving it to her directly? My hens never drink the whole gallon of water. Does it matter that she doesn't drink all of it?

Also, does it taste bad, like Tiagard? Would I need to add sweetener?

Follow the instructions on the package of Tylosin powder that you purchased from Jedds.

Tylosin may taste a bit bitter, if you wish you could sweeten it with a little juice.

Your hen *should* drink the medicated water as normal - meaning she should consume what she normally drinks, this will give her close to the correct dosing. And no, they don't have to drink the whole gallon each day.





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[IncognitoMode4723]

Would it be alright to give Tylan to my other hen, who is not showing any symptoms, just in case she is sick and is just asymptomatic?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Would it be alright to give Tylan to my other hen, who is not showing any symptoms, just in case she is sick and is just asymptomatic?

I would only treat birds that are clearing showing symptoms.