oocysts per gram count

[NewFlockOnTheBlock]

I had our state vet lab do a fecal float last December when we suspected that our flock had coccidiosis, and the results came back as 2 oocysts per gram. Anyone know if that's considered a light load or a heavy load?

The lab is looking at another sample for us as I type this; will be interesting to see how it compares.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The lab/poultry pathologist should be able to answer that question for you. That's what they do.
Good on you for using them though.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I had our state vet lab do a fecal float last December when we suspected that our flock had coccidiosis, and the results came back as 2 oocysts per gram. Anyone know if that's considered a light load or a heavy load?

The lab is looking at another sample for us as I type this; will be interesting to see how it compares.

Since they are microscopic... a gram is quite a lot. I would THINK that is light load. But very interested in seeing what you discover! When my regular (medical) lab send me results they usually include normal ranges for comparison.

 

[NewFlockOnTheBlock]

Thanks! I'll ask the lab once I receive the report on the sample they are working on currently. Their reports don't list normal ranges for comparison but I can always call and ask. I have a feeling that we're dealing with a heavier load this time around. Quite a bit of yucky, mucusy, watery diarrhea, especially from one hen, and several butts streaked with white...

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Could be an intestinal bacterial infection as well.
I occasionally call my vet school poultry pathologist and get good information from him.

 

[NewFlockOnTheBlock]

Just got the new tests results, no parasites found. I believe they just check for worms and cocci with this particular test. We may have a bacterial infection on our hands then...

 

[ChickenCanoe]

When I had a flock with lots of diarrhea I suspected worms. Rather than worming, I found a poultry vet about 50 miles away who found a heavy load of clostriaial bacteria in their feces. He gave me tetracycline that resolved the problem. It was late winter, the birds had just resumed laying and it was painful to lose the eggs for a month.
Luckily it was only one flock.

 

[NewFlockOnTheBlock]

Do you remember which specific test that poultry vet ran for you? Was he specifically looking for clostridial bacteria? If so, what species? Apparently there are several, including c. difficile and c. perfringens. Our state's animal health diagnostic lab runs separate tests for different types of clostridium. I called them this morning to find out which test I should order. The veterinarian I spoke to said it would probably be c. perfringens but she actually wasn't sure that we were dealing with clostridium as it appears to be fairly rare, and recommended consulting with our state veterinarian's office. I emailed their avian health division and am waiting to hear back but wanted to do a little more research in the meantime.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I actually took a fecal sample there to test for worms.
He's in a farming area over in Illinois. I couldn't get a local vet to run the fecals. He showed me what he found under the microscope. He said they didn't have worms but a heavy load of this bacteria. I'm not positive of the species but perfringens sounds familiar. Whatever they were, he said they're pretty common in our area. He sees them in other farm animals frequently.
You have 2 poultry labs that I'm aware of.

Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
Bustad Hall, Rm 155-N
Pullman, Washington 99164-7034
Phone: 509-335-9696

Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Avian Health and Food Safety Laboratory, Puyallup
2607 W Pioneer
Puyallup, WA 98371-4919
Phone 253-445-4537

 

[NewFlockOnTheBlock]

Got it, thanks for explaining about your situation.

Yes, I'm aware of the two labs. My understanding is the one in Pullman is the main lab and the one in Puyallup is sort of like a branch. The veterinarian I spoke with was in Pullman, and she said they actually don't actually have an avian vet on staff right now (although someone will be coming on board in a few months). That is why she referred me to the Washington State Veterinarian's office for consultation: https://agr.wa.gov/aboutwsda/divisions/animalhealthservices.aspx. The state office does not do testing but they do have an Avian Health Program that could offer suggestions re: what to test for given the symptoms I'm seeing.