Need Advice After Necropsy- E Coli, Salpingitis and Peritonitis

[erinangele]

I have a small backyard flock of 12 birds.

I've had 3 die within the past month, so I had a necropsy done on the most recent loss. The results came back positive for E Coli in the oviduct and coelomic cavity. She had Caseonecrotic salpingitis and peritonitis most likely caused by the e coli infection.

I'm so worried about my other girls! Should I treat the entire flock with a antibiotic? I'm not really sure what should be done, or where to start. Help!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a small backyard flock of 12 birds.

I've had 3 die within the past month, so I had a necropsy done on the most recent loss. The results came back positive for E Coli in the oviduct and coelomic cavity. She had Caseonecrotic salpingitis and peritonitis most likely caused by the e coli infection.

I'm so worried about my other girls! Should I treat the entire flock with a antibiotic? I'm not really sure what should be done, or where to start. Help!

It's good that you were able to get a necropsy.
Did the pathologist make any recommendations in their report?

Hard to know if you should treat for infection or not. Do you have any birds that are having reproductive difficulties, not laying eggs, symptoms of lethargy, etc.?


https://www.thepoultrysite.com/disease-guide/salpingitis
https://the-chicken-chick.com/salpingitis-lash-eggs-in-backyard/
https://the-chicken-chick.com/causes-of-lash-eggs-salpingitis-by/

 

[erinangele]

It's good that you were able to get a necropsy.
Did the pathologist make any recommendations in their report?

Hard to know if you should treat for infection or not. Do you have any birds that are having reproductive difficulties, not laying eggs, symptoms of lethargy, etc.?


https://www.thepoultrysite.com/disease-guide/salpingitis
https://the-chicken-chick.com/salpingitis-lash-eggs-in-backyard/
https://the-chicken-chick.com/causes-of-lash-eggs-salpingitis-by/

Thank you for your reply.

They only emailed me the report on the bird I sent them (Bluebell), no recommendations on the rest of the flock. I will call them tomorrow to see if they can advise me on my other girls.

Bluebell only showed symptoms of something not being right the day she died. (One eye closed, standing still and somewhat lethargic). She was a very good layer and had laid eggs up until a few days before she died (she had 2 eggs in her oviduct).

The one before was sick for a little less than a week. Her symptoms were standing around, not being as active, etc. (not sure about her eggs because I have a handful of brown layers).

The first was sick on and off for a couple months. Same thing, just not as active, she would sit. I honestly suspected it could be cancer since she was on and off okay for so long. She hadn’t been laying as regularly, but had also been broody recently.

Ive been lucky not to have any contagious illnesses in my 10 years of raising chickens (I still have one of my original girls!), so really did not think it was a contagious illness until a couple weeks after she died and the second got sick. Then a couple weeks later Bluebell.

Now I noticed one of my girls has a spot on her comb that is purple and even though it wasn’t a symptom the other 3 had, I'm concerned.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You may want to consider treat your flock.
It's best to see if they will recommend a treatment plan, but if that's not possible, then giving an antibiotic may help.
Of Baytril would treat E. Coli infection, but it is banned for use in poultry. Some vets will prescribe it for use in certain circumstances. You can still get it without and Rx when ordered online. If that's something you want to try, then do some research on the drug.

Tetracyclines or Sulfa Drugs would be another choice. I have not read up a lot lately, but if I remember right, some strains are more resistant and those drugs may not be effective.

Do you have a rooster?

 

[erinangele]

I do not have a rooster.

I will call this morning to see if they will give advice on my flock.

I will research the options you suggested as well and start a treatment. How long after antibiotic treatment before the eggs are safe to eat again?

 

[Folly's place]

Individual hens or even pullets will have this happen and die, and it's not a reason to add antibiotics to the rest of the flock. Especially because you don't have sensitivity data on the specific bacteria involved with this one bird, and there are so few treatment options available.
Adding meds 'just because' is a bad idea! What does the lab poultry expert say about it?
Mary

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I do not have a rooster.

I will call this morning to see if they will give advice on my flock.

I will research the options you suggested as well and start a treatment. How long after antibiotic treatment before the eggs are safe to eat again?

Let us know what you find out when you talk with them.

Egg withdrawal periods vary depending on the medication that they recommend.

 

[Prop toe]

You will also need to clean and disinfect the pens and or grounds.Peritonitis can lurk in the ground up to 3 months.Best I remember. Sure clorox will work but I always used tek trol
Best of luck

 

[Prop toe]

Parvo lurks around for 6 months.Thats a bad man on dogs .

 

[Aunt Angus]

This is an old thread, but good advice!