Can I cut antibiotics course short?

[Elpolloloco88]

Hi all

My girl has very sadly got water belly and I know I only have a finite amount of time left with her, but I have been getting her drained to extend her life. She was drained for the first time a month ago, and just got her second drainage today. It's really unfortunate timing as I have a holiday booked for this Monday 25th August and she has been prescribed the antibiotic Synulox. She was on baytril the first time. She has been given a 7 day course and I gave her the first dose this evening, meaning the 7 days will end on Thursday 28th August morning. She is supposed to take them twice a day, and unfortunately I don't have any friends or family to give her the medication. I am feeling desperate and guilty and don't want to cancel my holiday as it's been booked for months with the whole family and I really was looking forward to it, but of course my chicken is my whole world so I wouldnt want to do anything to risk her health. But I am wondering... If I could give her the medication until Monday morning, would she be ok for the few days I couldn't give it to her? Does anyone have any experience of this medication and know if this is even an option, or will I inevitably have to cancel my holiday?

 

[GregoryPeckory]

Hi all

My girl has very sadly got water belly and I know I only have a finite amount of time left with her, but I have been getting her drained to extend her life. She was drained for the first time a month ago, and just got her second drainage today. It's really unfortunate timing as I have a holiday booked for this Monday 25th August and she has been prescribed the antibiotic Synulox. She was on baytril the first time. She has been given a 7 day course and I gave her the first dose this evening, meaning the 7 days will end on Thursday 28th August morning. She is supposed to take them twice a day, and unfortunately I don't have any friends or family to give her the medication. I am feeling desperate and guilty and don't want to cancel my holiday as it's been booked for months with the whole family and I really was looking forward to it, but of course my chicken is my whole world so I wouldnt want to do anything to risk her health. But I am wondering... If I could give her the medication until Monday morning, would she be ok for the few days I couldn't give it to her? Does anyone have any experience of this medication and know if this is even an option, or will I inevitably have to cancel my holiday?

I'm so sorry you're dealing with water belly with a beloved hen. We've experienced this multiple times and it is so frustrating and sad.

I'm assuming she's being given the Synulox as a preventative against infection since draining a bird requires inserting a needle, and possible bacteria entrance? If that's the reason, you would still be risking a possible infection, but she also may not get infected, so you could take the gamble. However, if she is fighting off bacteria (like if the water belly has caused sepsis) then cutting the course of antibiotics short is never a good idea. It can lead to a worsening of symptoms and also antibiotic resistant bacteria in your bird.

 

[Elpolloloco88]

I'm so sorry you're dealing with water belly with a beloved hen. We've experienced this multiple times and it is so frustrating and sad.

I'm assuming she's being given the Synulox as a preventative against infection since draining a bird requires inserting a needle, and possible bacteria entrance? If that's the reason, you would still be risking a possible infection, but she also may not get infected, so you could take the gamble. However, if she is fighting off bacteria (like if the water belly has caused sepsis) then cutting the course of antibiotics short is never a good idea. It can lead to a worsening of symptoms and also antibiotic resistant bacteria in your bird.

Thank you for this, the exact reason for the antibiotics was unclear so I'm going to call the vet tomorrow to ascertain and get their advice. I fear that as a vet they will have to tell me I have to finish the course no matter what! But I do think it was more of a preventative measure from the needle. In any event I don't want to increase antibiotic resistance ... Very tricky situation!

 

[Eggcessive]

How are you giving the medication? Could the person taking care of the chickens put it in a bit of canned cat food or scrambled egg in a little bowl for her if you had those ready? Tablets may also be given in a bit of cream cheese, liverwurst, or cheese. Is she eating well or a little? Synulox is amoxicillin and clavulanic acid or clavamox. It is a bit strong. I prefer amoxicillin for chickens. How long will you be gone? It is best to finish a course of antibiotics after they are started. However, this was probably given to prevent infection. Normally I would not give an antibiotic just because I drained a hen with ascites. The only reason I ever drain one is to relieve labored breathing or gasping. Water belly (ascites) is a condition caused by egg peritonitis, salpingitis, fatty liver disease, cancer, or heart failure. None has a cure. So, if the person feeding your chickens cannot give her the medicine in a treat, I would give her the almost 5 days worth and go on your trip. If your chicken is declining, I might see if the vet could euthanize her before you leave. Having sick pets or farm animals is always a concern when we won’t be there to care for them. What happens if she dies after you leave? Let us know what you decide to do.

 

[Elpolloloco88]

How are you giving the medication? Could the person taking care of the chickens put it in a bit of canned cat food or scrambled egg in a little bowl for her if you had those ready? Tablets may also be given in a bit of cream cheese, liverwurst, or cheese. Is she eating well or a little? Synulox is amoxicillin and clavulanic acid or clavamox. It is a bit strong. I prefer amoxicillin for chickens. How long will you be gone? It is best to finish a course of antibiotics after they are started. However, this was probably given to prevent infection. Normally I would not give an antibiotic just because I drained a hen with ascites. The only reason I ever drain one is to relieve labored breathing or gasping. Water belly (ascites) is a condition caused by egg peritonitis, salpingitis, fatty liver disease, cancer, or heart failure. None has a cure. So, if the person feeding your chickens cannot give her the medicine in a treat, I would give her the almost 5 days worth and go on your trip. If your chicken is declining, I might see if the vet could euthanize her before you leave. Having sick pets or farm animals is always a concern when we won’t be there to care for them. What happens if she dies after you leave? Let us know what you decide to do.

Thank you for the detailed response. She got drained again because of laboured breathing, she was doing really well after her first draining. She's eating well and has lots of energy. The tablets are HUGE (which I wasn't expecting) so I tried hiding it in some food but that proved to be tricky so I'm thinking of dissolving it in some water and syringing it tomorrow, perhaps a bit of trial and error. I'll be gone from Monday PM until Friday PM, and no one will be looking after the girls while I am gone as they are normally very self sufficient. My mum will come over for 1 day to check their food and water so she can give her one bit of medication while she is there but apart from that she would have to go without if I did go... She was diagnosed with peritonitis so that is definitely the cause. Sadly this girl is my whole world so I am feeling a lot of guilt with wanting to go on this trip, but I wanted to see if it was even a possibility. I wouldn't get her euthanized unless she was suffering, and I am coming to accept that I don't have a lot of time with her left. I just had a bit of naive hope that I could have the best of both worlds and keep her healthy AND go on my trip but perhaps that is not possible, and I would always prioritize her over my holiday.

 

[Eggcessive]

She may do just fine on 5 days of the antibiotic. Clavamox tablets are huge. You might try crushing them since they may not be water soluble, and hiding them in peanut butter, scrambled egg, cream cheese, or liverwurst. Not too much of those, just enough to hide it and she will eat all of it. Those are things that I have hidden medicines in before.