Sick chicken - any suggestions?

I have a sick chicken which has just visited the vet.  Her symptoms are weight loss, gaping mouth and gurgling breathing. Her poo is also quite runny.

The vet wasn't sure about the diagnosis and proposed a blanket treatment covering worming and respiratory treatment, however when the vet contacted the supplier of the respiratory treatment about eating the eggs (as the vet's book said that eggs must never be eaten by a chicken that had been treated) the manufacturer said that the eggs must never be sold, but we (my family) can eat them.

I'm now very dubious about giving this respiratory treatment (I don't know what it is called because the vet is ordering it for me to arrive tomorrow) as I don't know if it is safe to eat the eggs if they are not fit to be sold.  Any suggestions? Should I have my chicken put down?

The respiratory infection will be treated with an antibiotic.  There are very few antibiotics that are licensed for use in poultry but the vet can use them under their discretion.

The fact that they are not licensed means that test have not been done to see how much and where the antibiotic goes to in the bird.

When you know what antibiotic your chook is given do repost the information here and other keepers will let you know what their opinions are regarding that antibiotic.  For most antibiotics, though, a two week withdrawal of eggs after the finish of the course is quite adequate to flush any antibiotic residues from the bird.

I certainly wouldn't have the bird put down if she can be cured.

EDIT:  Just what Joyfull said too

... and the concentration and dose !

I have never used Baytril - I always get Aureomycin or Tylan, both of which are licensed and no withdrawal after the course has finished. I also have had Denegard which again is licensed and had a 2 week withdrawal.
Baytril though is widly used and most advise a 4 week withdrawal.

I have just spoken to the vet. She said that she looked up Aureomycin but found conflicting info.  She said she found it was not to be given to layers, although it was a suitable antibiotic, and it could not be obtained in small quantities. Although the vets said they look after chickens , this particular vet said she didn't know that much about them and therefore consulted the internet like me.

Does anyone know if you can get small quantities of Aureomycin, and do you know if it is ok to give to laying chickens?

My vet always used to prescribe Baytril for my chooks and said a two week egg withdrawal after the end of the treatment was fine.

It's entirely up to you though