TropicalChickies
Crowing
Both bacterial and viral infections can cause lameness, swelling, and/or soreness in joints. E. Coli does, I've both read and seen. And I recall the necropsy you had done was positive for E. Coli.So, Chonk passed away about an hour after my last post. Bonk is still showing symptoms, too, of being "off." She is staggering like she's lost her ability to keep balanced. (Not sure if I mentioned this earlier, and my phone is acting up, so I cannot read the prior pages on here.) I know MS can cause lameness, but as I was reading more this morning, it seems the lamenss is due to swelling and soreness in the joints. I do not see that in any of the symptomatic birds, and I cannot find any info that shows MS causes balance issues. Bonk will stand up, be fine for a moment, and then start running sideways, and end up falling over on her side. If she's standing (more like squatting), she will have a wing out to help stay upright. This morning she tipped on her side, and my daughter helped her get upright. On another note, Honk is still doing very well.
I spent an hour reading up on diseases & treatments this morning while holding the pullet who I thought was going to pass...yes, she is still hanging in there. The other pullet has remained the same....still having issues walking, and I find her sitting on her hocks often. Are loss of balance and sitting on hocks symptoms of the diseases I am trying to treat?? If so, can these symptoms reverse with continued care, or are they signs that these chickens are past the point of recovery? I know another necropsy may be beneficial, but I haven't asked my hubby yet ...like I mentioned earlier, he feels this whole experience has put way more stress on us, and he wants to be done with it all. He knows I'm very attached, so he is being supportive as best as he can, but I know he will draw the line and make a rational decision over my emotional, if need be.
The tri-sulpha meds were finished yesterday, so I gave everyone poultry cell in their water this morning. I will give Bonk and the healthier of the 2 pullets vitamin B Complex and vitamin E. I don't know that I want to force anything into the one...I am just trying to keep her comfortable.
There are different families of related antibiotics.
Tri-Sulpha is a sulfur based antibiotic.
There's also the penicillin/amoxicillin family.
The -cycline family, like oxytetracycline and doxycycline.
And the floaxin group, like enrofloaxin.
Words like "Baytril" and "Tylan" are just brands. It's the active antibiotic ingredient that counts.
Sometimes -- and I'm not recommending trying this willy nilly-- an antibiotic from one family will work better than another on a particular bacteria in a particular bird. I had very good luck with oxytetracycline injections for a pullet with a bacterial infection when Tri-Sulfa didn't work. Just for an example.
E. Coli is known and dreaded for its antibiotic resistance in chickens.
I'm not a vet and I don't know anything else about your poor birds other than what you've shared here. I'm only saying that sometimes changing to an antibiotic from a different "family" is sometimes necessary.
And sometimes, longer term administration is needed.
Did someone recommend the Tri-Sulpha to you? If so, can you ask that person for their advice?
I'm sorry if I'm sounding vague... I don't want to tell you to "just try another antibiotic". And if you do, wait at least 3 days for them to clear the Sulfa from their systems.