my babies are dying - bactrim/smz-tmp dosing?

[slackwater]

I've lost two of my cochin babies (1wk old, hatched here) in the last day...and now another one has crusty eyes and multiple other chicks have a "click" when they breathe. I've given the crusty-eyed chick ointment, and have discovered that I can (hopefully) treat the URI w/bactrim/smz-tmps. The trouble is, I can't find the dose! I have SMZ-TMP 960s (800 SMZ, 160 TMP). I'm used to treating horses with them - I'm thinking I don't need to use 20 tablets 2x/day

I have approx 50-60 chicks (had several hatchery shipments & hatches occur almost simultaneously, had several "orders" back out - now I'm overwhelmed!), and 1qt and 1gal waterers. The "least thriving" chicks are separated.

Thoughts on dosages? I'd hate to wing it, but the best I can come up with at this point is...1/2 or 1 tablet in a 1qt waterer? But that's just a guess.

PLEASE HELP! Before I lose more babies...I'm still searching for a dosage, but any guidance would be appreciated!

 

[ChemKelly]

For anybody else interested in treating their chickens with the antibacterial medication "Bactrim" (sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim), the info is as follows:

- Bactrim Dosage -

Bactrim is available in tablets in two strengths; 400 mg sulfamethoxazole and 80 mg trimethoprim
and the "DS" form which means double strength, 800 mg sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg trimethoprim.
(Bactrim always contains sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim at a 5:1 ratio)

Chickens, turkeys bacterial infections: by addition to drinking water or feed:
30mg/kg body weight daily - continue for 5 days

Reference 1 The Veterinary Formulary
Reference 2 This also confirms the dosage of 30mg/kg (25mg/kg bw sulphonamide + 5mg/kg bw trimethoprim) for chickens


- Eating the eggs -

If it is a concern to you, based on the info in the link below, I would say that you could consume the eggs after 2 days if the dose was 30m/kg

Reference 3 Clearance of sulfamethoxazole in eggs and tissues of chickens: This was for a very large 100mg/kg dose! The level of sulfamethoxazole was only 0.1ppm (parts per million) after 5 days.


Cheers,
Kelly

 

[slackwater]

Okay, I had to give it a go...dosing for horses is 1 pill (960mg) per 100 lbs 1-2x/day. So, approx 10mg/lb. So, if I have approx 12 chicklets that are sick, they probably weigh what, 2oz each? Maybe a little more? So that's 1.5lbs. So they would need 15-30mg/day for ALL 12 of them. I put 1 pill in 1qt water...so it is approximately 30mg/oz. So, assuming that all 12 chicks will drink 1 oz total today (over 24hrs), they will get their dosage.

Am I underestimating how much they will drink? It's hard for me to judge how much they drink, oz-wise, b/c so much gets wasted w/sawdust and whatnot. But if they're only sipping here & there, and there's only 12 of them, and they're only 1-2 weeks old...is that unreasonable? Is my math off? Someone please double-check my logic for me!

 

[slackwater]

Seriously? No one even chimed in to give me hugs or kind words?

 

[Hennypen]

Just saw this... how are they? The boards have been a little dull lately.

 

[speckledhen]

Sorry, I can't help you. My policy is to never treat respiratory illness. I only have penicillin for injuries.

 

[Hennypen]

Why wouldn't you treat for respiratory illness? Do you automatically cull or let them get well?

 

[slackwater]

The little cochin with the sticky eyes is doing better today. One other who seemed depressed but not overly "sick" had died by the time I got home. Well, much earlier, I guess - it had been kinda trampled

But, no one has died from an overdose, and no one seems to be getting sicker...so I'll continue on the current course.

Dunno why Speckledhen doesn't treat for URIs - I'm more likely not to treat an injury

I will give TLC but not necessarily antibiotics.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
I second that. A respiratory disease like the one you are describing is most likely MG or another bad one that stays with you flock, even if they survive.

If you do want to treat them the best way is to use Tylan D, injectable if you are able to use a needle. It's available at Tractor Supply.




Review this page:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pwhjQ6Yng877iz_JNiCN1IQ

Spook's Chicken Cold Page:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=9241

Look up your state here for testing:
http://www.bah.state.mn.us/animals/poultry/exports.html

Good MG Info:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PS034

Great Treatment Links:


My MG Chicken Masacre:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=196261

Southernbelle's MG Nightmare:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=181490

Wolf Queen's Saga:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=211485

 

[Gardenpig]

Sorry, I'm new so I can't help with sickness. But I will pray and hope that your chicks get better!