Help -- Cocci but chicks on medicated feed

[speckledhen]

They can get worms, yes, however, for a worm load to be so bad at six weeks old that it causes intestinal bleeding, they'd have to be in pretty bad conditions. A load like that takes awhile, I'd think.

 

[MotherJean]

Here's what the Merck Vet Manual says about amprolium (i.e. Corid):

"Amprolium is structurally similar to and is a competitive antagonist of thiamine (vitamin B1). Because rapidly dividing coccidia have a relatively high requirement for thiamine, amprolium has a safety margin of ~8:1 when used at the highest recommended level in feed. Maximal effect occurs about day 3 of the life cycle of coccidia. Because amprolium has poor activity against some Eimeria spp , its spectrum has been extended by using it in mixtures with the folic acid antagonists, ethopabate and sulfaquinoxaline"

I added the underline. What that means is that the effectiveness of amprolium has been extended with sulfa-based drugs because it is NOT effective against all types of the eimeria protozoa. The reason I suggested the Sulmet is because it has been proven effective against Eimeria Tenella, which is normally the culprit when bloody droppings are present. Not all strains of Eimeria attack the ceca or produce the symptom of bloody droppings. That's why coccidiosis is frequently misdiagnosed as something else - because it's generally believed that blood in the stool is always a symptom. It isn't.

Bottom line is - two popular products are used to treat coccidiosis - Corid (amprolium) and Sulmet (sulmethazine sodium). Corid is considered a coccidiostat meaning that it controls or diminishes the number of protozoa to non-harmful levels. Sulmet is a cocciocidal meaning that it kills all the protozoa. There are advantages and drawbacks to both types of treatment. If you wish to take a conservative approach, you could treat your birds with Corid. If symptoms do not subside or come back after treatment, you should turn to the Sulmet.

My personal preference is Sulmet, but then I don't hesitate to use antibiotics on my birds...but that's another argument for another day.

 

[deerman]

Quote:

good point, would take 2 to 4 weeks at least. Oh another thing have known of medicated feed that didn't get the med..TSC even changed their..so double check the bag tag..

 

[speckledhen]

Whichever someone can get hold of, Sulmet or Corid, they need meds quick. Dr. Brown always says do Corid first and Sulmet only if needed. I've had to dose with Sulmet multiple times--apparently, it is not effective against whatever type is in my soil and they were pale in the face from bleeding, anemic-looking. Whatever works is what you should use.


Interesting that there is conflicting information out there, MotherJean--I've read that Sulmet is not effective against eimeria tenella. Obviously, I can only go by what my experience is with Sulmet vs Corid, but whatever works is what you should use because cocci can kill quickly.


From Shagbark Bantams very informative site: http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/page7.htm

I don't think this article would be complete unless I cautioned you against using some of the previously recommended medications for Cocci, that have now been designated as toxic to chickens and waterfowl at dosages required to be effective. The primary ones are the family of Sulfonamides. Among these drugs, sulfaquionoxaline ('SQ'), is one of the most toxic. There's also a sulfamethazine-based product sold at a well-known farm supply store under the product name 'Sulmet'. I personally would never use this product on my birds.​

 

[louieloui]

Hi guys,

I wanted to give you all an update and thank you for all of your suggestions. I was able to get in touch w/the amazing woman we bought our Silkie from and she talked me through everything--even in to the very late hours of the night. Sadly, we lost another chick last night despite my best efforts to get her to eat something and nurse her through it. This morning I got up and went straight to a farm store only to be told they were sold out of antibiotics, as was their other store...and TSC... But once again the wonderful Janet came to my (and my girls) rescue and gave me both premixed medication and enough unmixed to last me for another 8 days--or until I can get my own (which I most definitely will). I seriously cannot thank you enough, Janet!!

At the moment the girls have been given the medicated water and I also put more plain yogurt in with them. My daughter's first chicken, Tali, is not herself however.

She is not as sick as Sassy (the little girl we lost last night) was, but you can definitely tell she's not feeling well. We spoon fed her some yogurt and are making sure she's drinking the water and hoping for the best. Everyone else is holding their own even w/their bloody poops here and there.

~Laura

 

[louieloui]

Quote:
Our chicks are still in a brooder as I was waiting for the youngest to feather out before moving them in to their coop.

 

[CCC luv]

oh my gosh! this is not good, I thought sulmet eould be ok but not if its poisonous, and the one with bloody stool has normal looking poo now but is still fluffed out and tail dropped, pale comb and now after sulmet, head jerks!!!! I just started her on sulmet today but also got Amprol just in case....SO WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW? STOP THE SULMET AND GIVE THEM AMPROL? ALSO, ALL I HAVE IS THE MEDICATED feed and they are 2 months old, is it ok to give both or no??? OH PLEASE HELP!

 

[CCC luv]

one more question. ...if I were only to make 1/2 gallon because I only have 3 birds....how much Amprol do I use????? I only went with Sulmet because that's what people said to get and I'm new at this and the dosage info was soooo much easier to go by and it treated more so I thought it would be better....ugh! now I feel guilty for giving it to them. ..but I have the Amprol powder. ..CAN ANYONE TELL ME THE CORRECT DOSE FOR HALF GAL.???? PLEASEEEE

 

[cafarmgirl]

Sulmet is not poisonous and you don't need to feel guilty for giving it to them. It is more harsh on their intestinal tract and it only treats a couple strains of cocci, there are 9 strains, maybe more.

Yes you can stop the Sulmet and put them on amprolium, it is much gentler on them and more effective. I assume you have Corid? You could just use one teaspoon to make it simple since the dose varies depending on severity. Corid is not something you are going to overdose them on if you mix it a little stronger. It also does not matter if they are eating medicated feed, the dose of amprolium in medicated feed is so small anyway that it's not going to make a difference. That is exactly why chicks can and often do still come down with coccidiosis while on medicated feed.

 

[casportpony]

Like cafarmgirl said, just use 1 teaspoon Amprol per 1/2 gallon. It's a little more than the recommended dose, but not by enough to harm them.

-Kathy