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Thank you @Lady of McCamley for your insight! I believe they have Coccidiosis as well and they most definitely came with it. I’ve been refreshing the Corid daily for the past 6 days. I have them in a baby play pen so there’s plenty of ventilation and I clean it twice a day. They’re looking a whole lot better, but I’m still concerned. The smaller chick is still breathing the same, but is very lively. The paint silkie that’s closing it’s eyes frequently is now stretching it’s neck and opening it’s mouth. Is that normal? I wasn’t sure if this one had an impacted crop or not. Here’s a video from just now
I’m going to go ahead and order the sulfa med, I’ve never injected meds before, so I’m a little intimidated. What size needle should I get?
Thanks for all your help, it’s greatly appreciated!!
I’m going to go ahead and order the sulfa med, I’ve never injected meds before, so I’m a little intimidated. What size needle should I get?
Thanks for all your help, it’s greatly appreciated!!
I'm sorry your little ones are sick. That is always so disheartening.
My best guess is...you are fighting coccidiosis.
Pretty classic symptoms. Diarrhea, blood tinged poop, huddled, lethargic. I think the heavy breathing is from that. Sneezing may be incidental and of no importance or indication of MG (see below) or some other respiratory infection. It could also indicate better ventilation is needed.
Likely, you got a little behind the coccidiosis due to the fact that it was likely lurking at the owner's. Transition stress (moving from one location to another) often will trigger worse symptoms.
It is also possible that they contracted it on your property. Every area can have its own strain. That's why we don't encourage wearing boots from your yard to mine as we can tromp the protozoa strains. Our birds build an immunity to the strain on their property, but they become sick with a new strain.
But it takes about 5 days for the process to begin, and about 3 weeks for levels to grow to dangerous levels....so I think they came with it.
Above poster is accurate....are you changing to Corid water daily? That is very important. Also double check the concentration to make sure you have that right. (Look at label).
Corid does take a bit to act, especially once you've got an outbreak, but some strains are more resistant to it. For that, sulfa meds are useful. I used to get Sulmet at the feed store, which you can't now (new FDA regulations against getting OTC antibiotics), but you can get the injectible type here: https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail...9lcno968bnuiA3Rt9VimXvc_SXfa44nhoC0KEQAvD_BwE
I like the sulfa drugs as you can target the coccidia as well as gram negative bacteria which are opportunistic in the gut with inflammation (eColi, Pasturella, Salmonella).
I don't know if the Tylan is helping or not. It won't treat coccidiosis as it doesn't target the protozoa. It will treat MG (mycoplasma gallesepticum) which is the bacteria behind CRD (chronic respiratory disease).
MG can be passed from mother to chick through egg.
MG/CRD produces respiratory symptoms, usually fairly mild, but can be harder on chicks. It is treated with antibiotics like Tylan but generally never cured. It turns into stress induced chicken asthma whenever the bird is under stress or transition (even weather changes).
I'm glad you don't have heat lamp on them, because I agree, at those ages, they don't need it.
My recommendation is to continue the Corid for several days more, changing water daily. If you don't see noticeable improvement within a couple more days, consider getting a sulfa drug.
My thoughts.
LofMc
http://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_docs/programs/poultry/FS-1008 Recognizing and Preventing Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdf
