HELP HELP cocci

[real_redhead]

I have never had to deal with this before. I have searched the net and BYC and am still not sure what to do. This afternoon I went out to check on the 6 week olds (12 of them) in the run and found 3 dime size blood spots. It was easy to tell it was blood because I of course touched it to tell (yes I know gross) but it was on the ramp coming out of the coop. I freaked out!! I tried figuring out who wasn't acting right. I kept watching for poops and finally decided one was acting lethargic. So I put her in a cat carrier and brought her in with me. Well she started chirping like crazy so I thought maybe she isn't sick, I went out and get my favorite (Pepper) who is a sweetie and put them together. The one chirped a little but Pepper seemed like she wasn't feeling good. So I searched and found that I should use Sulmet or Corid. I called TCS and no luck but Southern States had it. I took Pepper with me and she layed on my lap the whole drive, when I took her in she wasn't very responsive and the lady at SS said she didn't think she would make it. Came home made Pepper drink the water with Sulmet when she was drinking she pooped and it was watery but normal looking. Will they keep pooping blood if it is cocci? So then I put sulmet in the water for the 6 week olds since I don't know who it is. The other one who I thought didn't look right pooped when I went out and again watery but looked normal. Haven't found any other blood, I didn't get any work done (work from home right now) and they are all eating and drinking and running around. Did I over react? Should I keep giving them the sulmet for 5 days??? Any advice would be helpful.

I did call the avian vet and he said to bring a stool sample in with the blood, but I had smeared the one with blood and now can't find any other!! Having chickens is like having kids!! Never a dull moment and always the question how bad is it!

THANKS

UPDATE
Found barely responsive chick this morning, not one of the ones who I thought was sick. Trying to force water with Sulmet and some yogurt...WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO DO HELP HELP

She is breathing, eyes closesd I try and rouse her and get her to drink she will open her eyes but it isn't looking good. did poop runny bloody stool

 

[FlyHigher]

Try Toltrazuil.
AFAIK, it's probably the best treatment for cocci, and I have saved a lot of chickens from cocci with it.

 

[real_redhead]

OMG This is horrible she just had a seizure or several of them and my son is so upset but i think she is dead

 

[real_redhead]

She died, what do I need to do to try to save everyone else....I have sulmet in the water do I need to feed yogurt? How can I save them before it gets so far or is it in the hands of mother nature??? THIS SUCKS

 

[FlyHigher]

OMG This is horrible she just had a seizure or several of them and my son is so upset but i think she is dead

Sorry for your loss!
Still need more symptoms to get a diagnosis.
What kind of seizure? Jumping up and down?
Does she scream sometimes?

 

[real_redhead]

She was lethargic, not moving or chirping, eyes would open some but she wouldn't really move, did have runny bloody poop. When she seized (at least thats what it looked like) she jerked her head back and twitched several times, mouth open, she may have made made a noise or 2 but I don't remember. There was blood on the towel after she died

I just checked everyone and most seem ok except one who is always docile and relaxed, can't tell if it is her normal way or if she is acting sick. She is drinking.

Called VA Tech poultry science dept and the guy didn't have much advice, never heard of Sulmet suggested I give them medicated feed which I haven't been doing.

Should I go get some medicated feed or is it too late?

 

[real_redhead]

Anyone think I should get medicated feed???

 

[FlyHigher]

Bloody poop probably means coccidiosis, but the neurological symptom of her neck seems more like ND.
Has she been vaccinated for ND?
Have you considered IBD(Infectious bursal disease)?

 

[real_redhead]

These girls were not vaccinated. now seeing the importance of it! I have never heard of IBD, will look into that. Thanks for the info.

Update, so far everyone seems to be doing ok. Checking on them every hour, checking crop to see if full that way I know if they have been drinking and/or eating. Dipping beaks of those I am not sure about into the water to make them drink. The poop I have seen this afternoon looks good. Solid and not runny, no blood. I am becoming a chicken poop expert! I haven't eaten much today as a result! YUCK...maybe I'll loose those few extra pounds haha!

 

[real_redhead]

They all seemed ok at bedtime, they were all eating and drinking and running around. Since this afternoon I haven't seen any more bloody poop. For those who have had to go thru this can you give me any idea how long I have to worry about them or do you think they are on the mend. I have another 24 hrs I can treat with Sulmet. I am hoping they all make it thru the night and I am over the hump. Any one with Cocci experience I would love to hear your stories.