I posted a few weeks ago and got no replies. Am hoping someone might be able to tell me what is wrong with my chickens.
Symptom: Finding blood-tinged fluid soaking through several layers of paper towels and newspapers every morning in the coop.
This started several weeks ago; I wasn't absolutely sure which hen it was coming from so I took two of my three hens into the vet. She could find nothing wrong with the Light Brahma, diagnosed the Buff Orpington with metritis. A fecal sample tested negative for worms. We did a week-long course of Baytril (antibiotic) and an anti-inflammatory. I did not notice significant improvement.
We had to leave town and apparently the situation worsened to the point that the housesitter noticed the chicken's droppings around the yard were also blood-tinged. She took the same two hens back to the vet. This time, the vet decided the second hen was also affected, and diagnosed them with cecal worms. When I spoked with the vet by phone she explained that the diagnosis can only be confirmed post-mortem but she seemed to think that was the cause of the problem. All three hens were given medication to be repeated in two weeks.
We are a week past the first round of medication and I am still finding copious amounts of blood-tinged fluid in the coop in the mornings, although I haven't noticed it in the droppings during the day. Should I expect to be finding this until after the second round of medication? Or is it possible that something else is wrong with my birds?
For the record, all three are perky, normal behavior and appetite. The Buff Orpington does have a bit of prolapse but not too bad. The vet was happy with their weight and appearance. The third hen, an EE, has not been examined. It's possible (but I can't prove it) that she isn't affected by whatever is going on, although, of course, if it's worms, it's good that she's being treated, as well. Thanks to anyone who can help.
Here's a picture I took of the girls yesterday:
Symptom: Finding blood-tinged fluid soaking through several layers of paper towels and newspapers every morning in the coop.
This started several weeks ago; I wasn't absolutely sure which hen it was coming from so I took two of my three hens into the vet. She could find nothing wrong with the Light Brahma, diagnosed the Buff Orpington with metritis. A fecal sample tested negative for worms. We did a week-long course of Baytril (antibiotic) and an anti-inflammatory. I did not notice significant improvement.
We had to leave town and apparently the situation worsened to the point that the housesitter noticed the chicken's droppings around the yard were also blood-tinged. She took the same two hens back to the vet. This time, the vet decided the second hen was also affected, and diagnosed them with cecal worms. When I spoked with the vet by phone she explained that the diagnosis can only be confirmed post-mortem but she seemed to think that was the cause of the problem. All three hens were given medication to be repeated in two weeks.
We are a week past the first round of medication and I am still finding copious amounts of blood-tinged fluid in the coop in the mornings, although I haven't noticed it in the droppings during the day. Should I expect to be finding this until after the second round of medication? Or is it possible that something else is wrong with my birds?
For the record, all three are perky, normal behavior and appetite. The Buff Orpington does have a bit of prolapse but not too bad. The vet was happy with their weight and appearance. The third hen, an EE, has not been examined. It's possible (but I can't prove it) that she isn't affected by whatever is going on, although, of course, if it's worms, it's good that she's being treated, as well. Thanks to anyone who can help.
Here's a picture I took of the girls yesterday:
