GSE or Grapefruit Seed Extract Combats Cocci or Coccidiosis and Other Ailments

[casportpony]

Glad to hear she is better! I will have to bookmark this thread so people can see that "sour crop" can be due to a bacterial infection.

-Kathy

 

[karabou]

Thank you Kathy! It was definitely bacterial, at least in part. I felt her crop this afternoon while they were free-ranging and it was normal again.

But because of her rebound after two days on the Monistat, the vet wonders if originally it was both bacterial and viral.... That part isn't clear.

-kara

 

[karabou]

Thank you Kathy! It was definitely bacterial, at least in part. I felt her crop this afternoon while they were free-ranging and it was normal again.

But because of her rebound after two days on the Monistat, the vet wonders if originally it was both bacterial and viral.... That part isn't clear.

-kara

Oops, not "viral" but "yeast" as well.

 

[casportpony]

Thank you Kathy! It was definitely bacterial, at least in part. I felt her crop this afternoon while they were free-ranging and it was normal again.

But because of her rebound after two days on the Monistat, the vet wonders if originally it was both bacterial and viral.... That part isn't clear.

-kara

Oops, not "viral" but "yeast" as well.

That's definitely possible and all the more reason people should have a vet check the crop and poop for both bacteria and yeast. I know it's not always possible, as many vets won't look at chickens, I'm just hoping that some people will learn from your story.

-Kathy

 

[karabou]

Just to let you guys know, this has been a series of ups and down with Izzy Belle, the white silkie, with the crop issues. I thought she was completely healed on the antibiotic, but then with one day left, she began the head bobbing and gagging again. The next day her crop was huge and squishy again. I was seriously bummed.

It was day 7 on the antibiotic. Day 15 of this crop issue. The next day I took her back to the chicken vet. Her weight was good, (the same) but she agreed the crop was squishy. She tried to turn Izzy upside down and she kicked her vehemently. The vet said she was seriously fiesty.

She gave me options: 1) crop lavage and X rays to see if there was blockage 2) monitor and see 3) euthanasia.

She's pooping, eating, and weight is good so I have a hard time believing we are dealing with a blockage.

I choose my own option, being another round of antibiotics and another shot of antibiotic. I figured it was a long shot in case 7 days was not enough.

I also read obsessively about all the crop issues. Decided to try to vomit her, if necessary, despite the risks.

The next morning, her crop was big and I saw some videos of what to do and to prevent the inhalation of the nasty bile crop contents. Nervously, I tipped her up and massaged the crop and emptied it. Then pilled her with the Monistat and Baytril. She was still head bobbing and gagging, but after an hour, ate a ton and started acting normally. By mid day, she was barreling down the Chunnel and run. She went to bed with a full crop of food, no squishy. I was hopeful.

This morning, there was a slight squish but so much better. I skipped the vomiting and just pilled her with the Monistat and Baytril. Gave the whole flock yogurt, crushed garlic, and I have added probios, oatmeal, and garlic/yeast powder to the food this week as well.

Today was normal day and every time I looked out the window or ventured out, she was scratching and pecking and she went to bed with a full crop and it feels just like the other birds.

I'm cautiously optimistic. The vet says that she's a little older than when they typically present with genetic pendulous crops (she's a year old), but that with the ups and downs, we have to brace for that.

Right now, we are in the midst of an "up" so there's that. Just wanted to continue the story as it unfolds.

 

[karabou]

Another update on my silkie, Izzy Belle with the crop issues.

The second round with the antibiotics did not work. I kept her on the Monistat as well. That didn't work either.

I came back on here and read more crop information and someone recommended this: 3 days no food, only ACV water, then 3 days yogurt and ACV water, and 3 days scrambled eggs and ACV water. I brought Izzy inside in my giant tupperware in the bathroom and did this. It's supposed to reset the crop. I think it helped some. I also switched her to GSE after 5 days of ACV. When she pooped, it was green like she was becoming unblocked. Her spirits stayed high and she ate with gusto, but the crop was still distended and she was still bobbing her head with discomfort.

So, I felt like she has pendulous crop, which is more of a physical issue then a bacterial/viral/yeast deal.

I read about crop bras and someone's description of how to make one, which I didn't completely get. So I made my own. I got an athletic sock that was both elastic and large. I cut the heel out of it for her wings and put her head through the sock, pulled her wings out through the heel. I cut the sock off a little way past the heel, so there was something to keep it on.

Once she was in the sock, I cut it to fit her and doubled the fabric back which made for a push up crop bra. Her huge crop was jacked up and pushed up so it could empty. I made sure she could breathe well and that day I free ranged the whole flock for about 5 hours while I gardened and organized the garage. She seemed fine, but I checked on her a lot.

Next morning, crop was half the size! I was thrilled. I folded the bra back down. I think I need to put a few stiches in it to hold the folded part down because it pops up after some time.

Next morning, crop smaller yet.

Third morning, normal crop. I was elated. Then, Izzy laid an egg. First egg in 7 weeks.

Today is day #6. I need to see how long she needs the bra. She laid another egg yesterday and is happy as a clam with a small, normal crop.

If ONLY I had tried this a few weeks ago.

 

[karabou]

It's been awhile, but just to update. The crop bra is the holy grail with Izzy-Belle. I've sewed about four of them to date from athletic socks and Izzy is doing great. Sometimes, they will lose their elasticity and she relapses with sour crop. I put her in a new sock/crop bra and after a few moments of horror, she's off to the races.

I'm so glad I found this solution and didn't have to euthanize her. She's a sweet and funny little bird.

And if you want to see some ridiculousness (and Izzy), check out: www.realhensofatlanta.com

 

[andreacroyle]

I'm sure there are people that flock (so to speak) immediately to chemicals and Western medicine--some of which has all kinds of side effects. That said, I typically don't have anything against Western medicine at all.

But as I said previously, it was New Year's Eve; I didn't have a firm diagnosis and the Feed Store was closed. And I'm new to chicken keeping.

And so I bought grapefruit seed extract and it worked beautifully. It also deworms while leaving the good flora behind.

Corid, from my reading, can block thaimin and damage the liver. In other words, there is a penalty.

Personally, I prefer natural treatments and methods IF they are effective and save the life of my bird.

In this case GSE worked quickly, has loads of testimonials (please look it up) and did not have any negative side effects.

Sometimes the path less travelled is actually the better path.

Thanks for your info
, I used the western meds . they didnt work, now i will try the holistic stuff =)

 

[seminolewind]

Glad she's still doing well, and somewhere down the line I may need a sock bra for each of my 2 speckled Sussex. They are very pendulous.

 

[andreacroyle]

It's been awhile, but just to update. The crop bra is the holy grail with Izzy-Belle. I've sewed about four of them to date from athletic socks and Izzy is doing great. Sometimes, they will lose their elasticity and she relapses with sour crop. I put her in a new sock/crop bra and after a few moments of horror, she's off to the races.

I'm so glad I found this solution and didn't have to euthanize her. She's a sweet and funny little bird.

And if you want to see some ridiculousness (and Izzy), check out: www.realhensofatlanta.com

I went to your website but I couldnt find the sock crop bra. i am wondering what it looks like