Help! Hens being treated for intestinal parasites but still dying!!

[Rector chick]

My flock of 7 have been diagnosed with a type of intestinal worm, which has killed 4 of them already. Their combs become pale and limp, while the birds eventually just lay down and die. We've given two oral doses of Panacen, and have injected iron directly into the breast per our vet. The "healthiest" remaining birds appear to be getting worse. The vet explained the situation as the birds are being bled out internally by these parasites, and are very anemic. We have one hen being sent off for autopsy, but I'm afraid my remaining 3 won't live long enough to see the diagnosis! Any advice (even if it's just to get them through until we confirm the cause of death) would be greatly appreciated! (confirmation of parasite was done with a fecal exam.)

 

[buffo1]

I don't know what Panacen is ...can't find anything on it... sounds a lot like Panacea. If it really is a parasite I'd be hitting it with everything they've got.

 

[Rector chick]

I'm sorry... It's panacur! Broad spectrum wormer.

 

[zekeman615]

Try this website: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-get-rid-of-internal-parasites-in-your-chick.html. I hope they get better soon! I hate to see chickens go.

 

[leadwolf1]

Have you tried giving them supportive care while the medicine works? Vitamins, electrolytes, yogurt, mealworms, scrambled eggs, BOSS...anything to boost their immunity and their protein intake.

 

[leadwolf1]

and lots, and lots, of spinach!

 

[dawg53]

Panacur (fenbendazole) will clear the worms out for sure. I recommend you give your birds buttermilk mixed with scrambled eggs mixed in feed until they recover.

 

[Rector chick]

Thanks for all your help. We haven't lost any more birds, and the sickest seems to be recovering. No word yet from pathology but I do suspect roundworms. Have added electrolytes and daily meal worms with protein rich foods as suggested, and I appreciate the help! I'll be sure to post results as soon as we get confirmation. Next stop...learning all I can re: incubation!