Coccidiosis - how long through treatment before no blood visible?

[mariac]

I adopted 3 ex-batt hens about 3 weeks ago (they are 18 months old). They were all in a very poor state and had also had the stress of transport before I collected them. I have had them separated from the rest of my girls and have given them much TLC and good quality feed. They were all suffering from diarrhea from the outset which I thought at first would be due to stress and change of diet but it was quickly apparent that it was probably coccidiosis after orange/red segments start to appear in their poop.

The vet has given me sulfadimethoxine to be given for 5 to 7 days. I have had to give it to them by syringe as they were drinking very little. They have each had a very low couple of days but thankfully after 7 days there has been some improvement for 2 of them, the 3rd is still very poorly and not eating at all.

My concern is that even though 2 of them are now bright and eating well there is still evidence of diarrhea and red intestinal matter in their poop. How long will this continue or is it that the cocci is still doing damage? I have continued with the sulfa drug with the 3rd hen (now on day 9) as she is still so poorly I hoped that she may just need longer for the drug to work.

I would be really grateful if anyone has any advice or experience. I so want a happy retirement for these 3 hens!
Thanks in advance.

 

[staceyj]

@casportpony might have an answer for you

 

[Kiki]

If they suffered from coccidiosis long enough it can do irreversible damage to the intestines.

 

[mariac]

@casportpony might have an answer for you

Thankyou!

 

[mariac]

If they suffered from coccidiosis long enough it can do irreversible damage to the intestines.

Thank you @Texas Kiki It is likely that they've had it for a while judging by the shape they were in when I adopted them. Perhaps I will only have the pleasure of having them for a short while, if they don't make it hopefully their last days will be better than those of their previous life. Thanks again.

 

[Kiki]

Thank you @Texas Kiki It is likely that they've had it for a while judging by the shape they were in when I adopted them. Perhaps I will only have the pleasure of having them for a short while, if they don't make it hopefully their last days will be better than those of their previous life. Thanks again.

Did the vet also check for worms?

 

[mariac]

Did the vet also check for worms?

Yes, they had roundworms which was treated with Flubenvet.

 

[casportpony]

It's possible that the strain of coccidiosis is resistant to the sulfa, so you could try something like Baycox (toltrazuril). You could also try amprolium, but I think Baycox would be better. Call your vet.

Flubenvet, that's added to the feed, yes? If so, it's possible that they didn't eat enough of it, so maybe ask your vet about using an oral medication instead.

 

[mariac]

It's possible that the strain of coccidiosis is resistant to the sulfa, so you could try something like Baycox (toltrazuril). You could also try amprolium, but I think Baycox would be better. Call your vet.

Flubenvet, that's added to the feed, yes? If so, it's possible that they didn't eat enough of it, so maybe ask your vet about using an oral medication instead.

Thanks so much for your reply. The Flubenvet is added to the food normally but as they weren't eating a great deal I mixed it with water and gave orally to make sure they had enough. I'll pop to the vet and see if he has either of the above alternatives. Thanks again for your help, it's really appreciated!

 

[mariac]

I thought I'd give you an update on the ex batts!
Thankfully, they are all now doing very well. The blood in the poop became a little less but two of the hens were still very poorly, not eating and very lethargic. The vet felt that as they had had such a rough time with worms and coccidiosis the likelihood was they were suffering from a secondary infection. He gave me an antiobiotic Sulfadiazine/Trimethoprim to try. After 2 days there was a great improvement and after 5 days they were eating well again.
Happily they are now all starting to flourish in their new home, free ranging with their new friends and enjoying their new life! I'm over the moon that they recovered - thank you all once again for all your help.