Expert chicken vet Melbourne - Specializing in respiratory disease treatment for backyard poultry, including mycoplasma infections and CRD management.

What is Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD)?

Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD) is one of the most common conditions treated by our chicken vet in Melbourne. Mycoplasmosis, caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum bacteria, is the primary cause of CRD in backyard poultry including chickens, silkies, and bantams.

CRD Symptoms: When to Visit a Chicken Vet

Our poultry vet Melbourne team commonly sees these respiratory disease symptoms:

• Weepy, swollen eyes - often the first sign of mycoplasma infection
• Swollen sinuses around the face and head
• Head shaking and nasal discharge
• Gurgling or rattling sounds when breathing
• Open-mouth breathing in advanced cases
• Reduced egg production and lethargy

Chicken Antibiotics for CRD: Treatment Options

Our Melbourne chicken vet clinic uses evidence-based antibiotic protocols to treat mycoplasma and CRD. Here are the most effective chicken antibiotics we prescribe:

1. Oral Antibiotic Treatments

1. Doxycycline for chickens - The gold standard antibiotic against Mycoplasma gallisepticum. Easy-to-administer tablets provide targeted respiratory infection treatment.
2. Tylosin - Effective mycoplasma antibiotic, often combined with doxycycline for severe CRD cases.
3. Lincomycin + Spectinomycin - Water-soluble combination antibiotic. Registered for laying hens with no egg withholding period.
4. Chlortetracycline (CTC) - Suitable for egg-laying flocks as it has no withholding period for eggs.
5. Enrofloxacin (Baytril) - Powerful broad-spectrum antibiotic effective against mycoplasma and secondary bacterial infections in chickens.

2. Topical Antibiotic Applications

All CRD cases at our chicken vet Melbourne clinic receive:

• Antibiotic eye drops - Applied directly to infected eyes
• Antibiotic nasal drops - Delivers medication directly to respiratory system
• Sinus flushing - For advanced mycoplasma cases with pus accumulation

Nursing Care for Chickens with Respiratory Disease

Beyond chicken antibiotics, successful CRD treatment requires comprehensive supportive care:

• Stress reduction - Critical for immune system recovery
• Flock separation - Isolate sick birds to prevent mycoplasma spread
• Environmental warmth - Maintain optimal temperature for recovery
• Improved ventilation - Reduce dust and ammonia levels
• Enhanced nutrition - High-quality feed supports immune function
• Temporary egg production break - Allows energy for healing

Advanced CRD Treatment at Our Chicken Vet Hospital

Severe mycoplasma cases with sinus abscesses may require:

• General anaesthesia for surgical abscess drainage
• Repeated sinus flushing to remove infected material
• 5-7 day hospitalization with intensive antibiotic therapy
• Follow-up treatment - 2-3 weeks of home medication and monitoring

Professional CRD treatment: Sinus flushing procedure performed by experienced poultry vet Melbourne

CRD Prevention: Protecting Your Flock

Quarantine New Birds

Our chicken vet Melbourne strongly recommends:

• 30-day quarantine for all new chickens
• Health check by qualified poultry vet before introducing to flock
• Mycoplasma testing available at our clinic

Other Respiratory Diseases in Chickens

As experienced poultry vets, we also diagnose and treat these respiratory conditions:

Viral Respiratory Diseases:

• Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT) - Vaccination available
• Infectious Bronchitis (IB) - Common in commercial and backyard flocks
• Newcastle Disease - Notifiable disease requiring immediate reporting
• Avian Influenza - Biosecurity critical

Bacterial Respiratory Infections:

• Infectious Coryza (Haemophilus paragallinarum)
• Fowl Cholera (Pasteurella multocida)
• Secondary bacterial infections - Often complicate mycoplasma cases

Understanding Complex CRD in Backyard Chickens

Melbourne chicken vets recognize that most backyard CRD cases involve multiple pathogens:

• Mycoplasma gallisepticum - Primary respiratory pathogen
• Chlamydia psittaci - Can cause similar respiratory signs
• E. coli - Common secondary invader

This complex infection pattern requires comprehensive treatment combining appropriate chicken antibiotics, stress management, and environmental improvements. Our 3-point CRD management plan addresses:

1. Medication - Targeted antibiotic therapy
2. Environment - Improve housing, ventilation, hygiene
3. Management - Reduce stress, optimize nutrition, quarantine protocols