Lethargic late yesterday, dying this morning. What moves this fast and how to protect the others?

[Mtn Laurel]

Can Cocci kill this fast? Less than 24 hrs. since any symptom was noted? She's still alive but not for long. I noticed her being lethargic and puffed up late yesterday afternoon. Began Corid in water due to our last few weeks of hot, humid, rainy weather which makes prime breed ground for cocci. She got up and went into coop and onto roost with the rest of the chicks last night. She came out of the coop this morning - down the ramp - and collapsed at the bottom of the ramp. We thought she was dead but noticed her barely breathing when we went to remove her. Have her in a cage and she's laid out on her side, the only motion is her beak opening and closing as she breaths. I've tried to give her water w/ corid but she appears unable to swallow it. Have her resting in quiet room at this time just waiting for Mother Nature to take her course.

Other 5 girls appear fine at this time but both concerned and baffled. Any ideas, opinions on what this could be? Thanks for any input.

1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.) 14 week old Buff Orpington. Weight seems normal as compared to the other 5 chicks that are the same age.

2) What is the behavior, exactly. Late yesterday afternoon: Lethargic, puffed, sleeping in corner of run by self. This morning: Made it down ramp and collapsed. Thought she was dead. Is now in cage, unable to stand, barely breathing.

3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This began less than 24 hours ago.[/FONT]

4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms? No.

5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. None noticeable or felt. There is one small scab where her comb meets her beak. Tiny scab of what is either dirt or blood.

6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. Nothing that I'm aware of. Have six chicks in tractor. They have about 70 sq. ft. of run on dirt. They do not free range.

7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. Medicated Chick starter. Treats limited to crimped oats or chopped lettuce from garden. I'm sure she ate yesterday when I brought them some crimped oats as a treat. Their food/water is self-serve but they all seem to be eating at the same time. I take time to observe them daily and have not noticed her not eating/drinking.

8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. Haven't seen her specific poop since this began. I do check "roost poop" daily. No runny poop or other problem poop under roost this morning. No blood, yellow poop, frothy poop, etc. All poop looks normal.

9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? We have had unusually hot, humid, wet weather for an extended period of time. When I saw her being lethargic and puffed up, I began treatment with Corid thinking it was Cocci due to the environmental conditions. Put Corid in water for all birds.

10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
Treat myself. My biggest concern now is to figure out what this could be so as to protect my other girls.

11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help. Nothing really to see. Buff Orpington laying on side struggling to breath.

12) Describe the housing/bedding in use. Outside chicken tractor. Bedding used is construction sand in coop portion and pine shavings on ground.

 

[Deb B]

Usually chickens suffering from coccidiosis have bloody poop. If you are not noticing that, perhaps it is something else?
Did you have them vaccinated for Mareks?

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Usually chickens suffering from coccidiosis have bloody poop. If you are not noticing that, perhaps it is something else?
Did you have them vaccinated for Mareks?

It's my understanding that only some strains of cocci will produce bloody poop but will say I'm surprised I've not noticed diarrhea. I've had some sloppy poop but it's also been very hot and they've been drinking a lot of water so I consider that within the realm of normal.

They were farm store chicks and - to the best of my knowledge - weren't vaccinated for Mareks.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

As this is my only Buff Orpington and the only girl showing any symptoms, am wondering if this could be heat related? Anyone had heat related problems with Buff Orps?

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Just confirmed with the farm store that the chicks had not received any vaccinations of any kind.

Been trying to give her water via a syringe. Looked like she took just a bit then began thrashing about so badly that we had to put her back in the cage. We couldn't connect with her to give her water at that point and I was fearful she'd hurt herself. Almost like she's having a seizure of some sort. She's unable to stand or sit, is laying on her side, but will "pinwheel" herself around in the cage.

Really puzzled here . . .

Edit to add: She's not making any sound at all. Nothing. Even with all the thrashing. Not a peep from her, which I thought odd.

 

[ten chicks]

It's my understanding that only some strains of cocci will produce bloody poop but will say I'm surprised I've not noticed diarrhea. I've had some sloppy poop but it's also been very hot and they've been drinking a lot of water so I consider that within the realm of normal.

They were farm store chicks and - to the best of my knowledge - weren't vaccinated for Mareks.

You are correct,not all strains of Coccidiosis produce blood in poop. It is possible for Cocci to act this fast,chick would have had it for few days prior to her collapsing. Try dropping a bit a medicated water on side of her beak,if she will take it,you can even add warm water to feed(use medicated water for this,when one is very ill)so it resembles oatmeal,chickens love this,easier for frail ones to eat.

Heat is a huge issue,chickens can die from heat stress/stroke. If it has been very hot anything over 85 degrees can be dangerous to chickens. Keep her somewhere cool,to drop her body temp. Chickens have a body temp from 103-107 degrees Fahrenheit,if the body temp reaches anywhere from 113 degrees and up,they are in danger. Chickens do not have sweat glands,they rely on their respiratory system to cool themselves down,that is why they pant,spread wings,etc. Keep pails of COOL(NOT COLD)water in yard,if you notice any chickens showing signs of heat stress,submerge them in a pail of water up to neck this will immediately cool them and drop their body temp,this has the potential to save their life.

 

[ten chicks]

Just confirmed with the farm store that the chicks had not received any vaccinations of any kind.

Been trying to give her water via a syringe. Looked like she took just a bit then began thrashing about so badly that we had to put her back in the cage. We couldn't connect with her to give her water at that point and I was fearful she'd hurt herself. Almost like she's having a seizure of some sort. She's unable to stand or sit, is laying on her side, but will "pinwheel" herself around in the cage.

Really puzzled here . . .

Edit to add: She's not making any sound at all. Nothing. Even with all the thrashing. Not a peep from her, which I thought odd.

Be careful with syringe,don't want to aspirate her. Is it possible to open beak and see if anything is stuck in her throat? Put water in a small pill bottle( i use a sml clear/bge color bottle) ,hold it up to her so her beak is touching water,i have used this method several times,not sure why it works,but it always has for me.

I meant to mention in my previous post,that i have buff orpingtons,they do not like the heat at all,i have them in the house with the AC on. They are 10 weeks my roos in particular do not tolerate heat at all, Silkies are fine with heat.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Thanks for your response. She initially had her head down and couldn't lift it. I've been able to dribble water in with a syringe and I used Sav-A-Chik because I've no clue what I'm dealing with but thought it might help her respond. I'm not squirting it down her throat, just dribbling it in drop by drop. Have found I have to put it at the back of her beak and I can see her swallow. She's begun to open her eyes more and even lifted her head. She also tried to sit up but hasn't been able to do that yet.

I'm not wanting to give her too much at one time. Guessing I got about 6 cc's in her so far. Am letting her take a break and rest before going in to try to give her some more. I'm seeing that little blood spot at the top of her beak and am wondering if she had an injury that made it sore for her to drink as much as she needed in this heat.

Will keep working with her and have my fingers - and toes - crossed!

 

[ten chicks]

Thanks for your response. She initially had her head down and couldn't lift it. I've been able to dribble water in with a syringe and I used Sav-A-Chik because I've no clue what I'm dealing with but thought it might help her respond. I'm not squirting it down her throat, just dribbling it in drop by drop. Have found I have to put it at the back of her beak and I can see her swallow. She's begun to open her eyes more and even lifted her head. She also tried to sit up but hasn't been able to do that yet.

I'm not wanting to give her too much at one time. Guessing I got about 6 cc's in her so far. Am letting her take a break and rest before going in to try to give her some more. I'm seeing that little blood spot at the top of her beak and am wondering if she had an injury that made it sore for her to drink as much as she needed in this heat.

Will keep working with her and have my fingers - and toes - crossed!

Injury to beak is a possibility,she may have become dehydrated,that combined with the weather would be enough to make her ill.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Well, I've worked with her all day with very little improvement. She's still on her side, legs outstretched, unable to sit up. I've gotten a good bit of water with electrolytes into her. Enough for her to finally poo, which is the only poo she's done all day. It was nothing but a small bit of cream colored substance and water. Lot's of water, guess from what I've been putting in her. Almost as though she didn't have anything to eat for a while and her system was totally empty.

She goes from having eyes shut to brief periods of having them open. She will occasionally try to sit up and will pinwheel herself a bit in the cage. Most of the time she is laid out on her side. I've seen her move her legs so they're still working. Haven't really witnessed her moving her feet. Still no sound from her. A few times she has actually moved her head or eyes to follow motion across the room.

I am stumped in a major fashion and am worried for the rest of my gang. Have been keeping an eye on them when I'm not with her and they look good so far.