Margo is in Trouble

[micstrachan]

Well, you still are you never lose that knowledge.

Thanks. That’s true. I just no longer practice. And it’s not like I have a PhD or even a Masters.

 

[micstrachan]

Margo Update:
The boys say she got her meds and my neighbor says she “looks great and is running around like the boss again.”

 

[micstrachan]

My neighbor says Margo had another good day. He administered meds via bread method. He said she was doing so well, he let her out of her hospital pen into the main run.

 

[Jules929]

Yay!

 

[townchicks]

Good news.

 

[micstrachan]

Hi everyone,
I hear Margo is doing well, and I am excited to see her and the rest of my flock tomorrow. I know there has been a bit of disagreement on dosing, but I would appreciate some opinions on finishing up Margo’s treatment.
Here is what she has received so far:
• 250mg amoxicillin and inconsistent amounts of calcium citrate with D3 Monday 7/16 and Tuesday 7/17
• 500mg (250 twice daily) amoxicillin and some amount (I forget which happened which day) calcium citrate Wednesday 7/18 and Thursday 7/19.
• 250mg amoxicillin and 200mg calcium citrate Friday 7/20 through Tuesday 7/24.
• She will get one more round of the 250mg amoxicillin and 200mg calcium citrate tomorrow 7/25 morning. Not sure when I’ll get home from vacation tomorrow.

If she isn’t laying, which I suspect is the case, I think I should discontinue the calcium. I can tell my son not to give it to her tomorrow, if that is best. Please share your thoughts.

So how about the amoxicillin? Tomorrow will be day 9 at 250mg (days 3 & 4 were 500mg). Should I go to ten days or two weeks? Would there be any pros or cons to increasing to 500mg (250 twice per day) upon my return?

Finally, after the antibiotics, what would be the best and gentlest way to get her gut flora back in order?

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Kathy Golla]

Hi...hope you have had a good time away.
Personally the vet dosage (not amoxicillin, sulfa) has been twice a day for 14 days.
I agree, the calcium is a bit tough to administer (large and chalky). I’m not sure if the calcium therapy is helping her at this point. An expert would know more.
After the antibiotics are finished I use Probios half a teaspoon once a day in wet feed with egg and feed it straight to the hen daily for two weeks.
https://www.amazon.com/Probios-Dispersible-Digestive-Powder-240gm/dp/B001BM1QRC
I know a lot of the experts feed yogurt, but I elect not to, Ive read that birds don’t digest dairy well because birds aren’t raised on mothers milk.

 

[townchicks]

IMO, you should go the full 14 days with the amoxicillin. Stopping too soon creates resistant bacteria. As far as the dosage, if she is doing well and continues to do well, on the lower dosage, I think it would be ok to stick with that, but I would certainly check with those more experienced than me. If you aren't sure, perhaps going to 250 2x a day would help ensure any bacteria being knocked out. BTW, how did you get the amoxicillin without seeing a vet?

 

[micstrachan]

I used Fish Mox. Thanks!

 

[micstrachan]

Hi everyone,
So I’m home, and Margo is indeed walking around like the boss again. She has not laid since that one egg I shared on video and her white earlobes are yellowing like they do every time she goes off lay. The girls seem a little skinnier as a flock, though. Perhaps it was hot or maybe they were bummed they didn’t get any free range time. Egg production overall was low while I was not home, and I don’t think Bridge laid once. Cashew looks a little disheveled as if she’s been sitting on eggs a lot. I am happy to be home to hopefully get things back in order, but am also grateful my son and neighbor managed to keep the girls alive and well in my absence.