{"id":13179,"date":"2013-10-31T13:50:21","date_gmt":"2013-10-31T17:50:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/?page_id=13179"},"modified":"2024-12-05T11:17:44","modified_gmt":"2024-12-05T16:17:44","slug":"2112e","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/2112e\/","title":{"rendered":"Bulletin #2112, It\u2019s a Sneeze, It\u2019s a Wheeze, It\u2019s \u2026 Gapeworms!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"chickens\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

By Anne Lichtenwalner, DVM Ph.D., University of Maine Cooperative Extension<\/em>
Reviewed and updated by Dana Hill, DVM, MS, Ph.D., DACVP, University of Maine Cooperative Extension<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For information about UMaine Extension programs and resources, visit extension.umaine.edu<\/a>.<\/strong>
Find more of our publications and books at extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Syngamus tracheae<\/i>, or the \u201cgapeworm,\u201d is one of several worms that can live in your chicken\u2019s respiratory tract. This worm lives in the trachea, and causes coughing, wheezing and open-mouth breathing (\u201cgapes\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Birds get infected by eating the worm eggs from the feces-contaminated ground, or by eating earthworms, snails, slugs, and\/or flies infected by the gapeworm larvae. In either case, the gapeworms mature and migrate within the chicken, ending up in the respiratory tract. They live in the trachea, laying eggs, which are coughed up by the chicken, swallowed, and passed out in the feces. Either another bird or an earthworm eats the eggs; then the cycle starts again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can you tell if it is gapeworms are present? A fecal examination at the vet\u2019s office may do it, or you can send a fecal sample to the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Lab<\/a> for analysis. Alternatively, you could try parting the neck feathers, using a flashlight in a darkened room to transilluminate the trachea and try to visualize these bright red, 1\/2-inch to 2-inch long worms through the thin skin of the hen (see the photo of a turkey trachea containing gapeworms below).<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Turkey<\/a>
Trachea at necropsy, opened up to show bright red gapeworms (approx. 1\/2 inch long).<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Similar respiratory symptoms may also be caused by bacteria or viruses, therefore, an examination by your veterinarian is the best course of action. Proper treatment is also provided with the help of your vet. Remember, not all dewormers kill all types of worms. Proper diagnosis will help you find the right product to use. Remember that using medications of any kind in livestock raised for food must be done exactly according to label directions, or following your veterinarian\u2019s instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can you prevent gapeworm? In short, prevent exposures to wild birds and limit access to dirt:<\/p>\n\n\n\n