Could someone help me interpret these lab results? My vet can't!

[Kezzie]

Finally got the bloody diarrhea results back from the lab and my vet doesn't deal with birds so was unhelpful. I suspected coccidiosis and that's what they tested for (I think). Here are the results:

Giardia (ELISA) Negative
Isospora Oocysts 1+ (which supposedly means 2-4 eggs or parasites on the slide

I think Isospora is Cocci, right? They deem 2-4 eggs or parasites as "few". Is that still a concern or do all chickens have a bit of these parasites normally?

My girls (and boy) grew up on medicated feed and only switched to Layena and Flock Raiser about a month ago when the girls started to lay. At least one of them has bloody diarrhea (although I haven't seen any today so far). I had one dead hen four days ago but it could be completely unrelated. Two of my girls are acting a bit listless and standoffish but are still eating and drinking. I've only noticed the bloody diarrhea after the hen died.

Does this test result mean my girls have Cocci? I made the vet give me some Albon (he didn't have Sulmet or Corrid) but I don't want to treat them if I don't have to. I also don't want to lose any more hens. Any guidance is greatly appreciated!

 

[CelticMoon1]

This means your hens tested negative for giardia (which is easily confused with cocci) but positive for cocci. (Oocysts are the eggs of the parasite - when the eggs are present, so are the parasites.) I would definately treat, if you don't the parasites will multiply. That they deem the 2-4 on the slide as few only means you've caught it early (or that there were few parasites on THAT slide).

ETA: Yes Isospora is cocci

Hope your girls will be ok!

 

[joebryant]

Quote:

WOW! That's really something. I'm never not surprised at the wealth of knowlege/information of many of the members on this forum.

 

[Kezzie]

Thanks for the info! I'll start treating them as soon as I can figure out the dosage. Once again, the vet was no help.

 

[CelticMoon1]

Quote:
What a helpful vet.. Why is it that they are so clueless about Avian diseases and treatment?? I usually just tell the vet what is wrong with my birds and ask her to prescribe the drugs I ask for

Dosage for Albon should be 1 teaspoon to a gallon of water for 7 days.

 

[possumqueen]

check out your local agricultural extension office! They can tell you what's available to you in your state. NC (for example) has several animal disease labs across the state with poultry specialist vets available for consultation.

 

[CelticMoon1]

Quote:
If that was meant for me, then no such luck as I don't live in the States

Kezzie I say go for it! Your regular vet doesn't seem to know the head from the rear of a chicken