Wow, so sorry! What was the cause of death?
I got several e-mails from the Results---this is one with other e-mails before and after. I know nothing about all these "big" words. The Vet said My chickens were loaded down with tape worms which was causing their immune system to be down, So she sent me this so I could get busy worming them before more Died. The Peahen probably had Mycoplasma as well as other problems but she was not tested(gone by this time)???
Randy, the 3rd dead pullet did not have any scabs or swollen eyelids – but was loaded with tapeworms. 1 live pullet had a few tapeworms in her intestine. Maybe why you are seeing weight loss. I believe this is why she died, with the extensive damage to the intestines. We will know more when the histopath on the tissues come back for both the dead and live pullets.
For tapeworm treatment – you can use Fenbendazole (as Safeguard 10% liquid) – do twice the dose as you would for other types of worms – use 2 teaspoon in 1 gallon of drinking water for 3 days. Repeat treatment in 30 days. Follow withdrawal period below of 30 days.
If the medication or wormer does
not say it is allowed for “producing eggs for human consumption” – then the medication is considered off-label useage and you must follow a 30 day withdrawal period for medications given orally. So -- no eating meat/eggs during medication and additionally 30 days after stopping medication.
the birds pick up the tapeworms from eating bugs.
1 live bird had a blood test positive for mycoplasma (both MG & MS) – so this bird may have had past exposure to mycoplasma – this is a screening test and not confirmed. The MS PCR was a suspect test on the pool of the 3 birds, so there is a good chance some of these birds had exposure to mycoplasma.
1 live bird (may not be same as above) also has rising blood titers to infectious bronchitis virus – again a screening test. It’s a virus, you cannot treat for it. they get over it or they die.
Chickens can be carriers of MS and don’t show any problems, however when it gets mixed with infectious bronchitis virus – then you start seeing respiratory problems. And if the live birds also have pox virus (we will see if true in histopath) –then that could be a triple whammy.
See attached for information about the above diseases.
1 dead pullet:
- pullet is in good body condition
- feed located in crop
- proximal jejunum is dilated and filled with tapeworms and mucus
- mid and distal jejunal wall is dark red, vessels are dilated, contents contain dark red material (looks like clotted blood) and debris
Test results:
Fecal exam – negative for parasite eggs
Blood work (looks for past exposure) 2 live birds:
Newcastle, bursal disease, reovirus – negative for antibodies
mycoplasma – 1 live bird positive for MG/MS antibodies (screening test)
bronchitis – 1 live bird with rising titers
Tracheal swab for PCR for (looks for current infection) – 3 bird pool:
avian influenza, newcastle -- negative
mycoplasma – MG negative, MS suspect
Tests pending:
Histopath on tissues
Bacterial culture on livers and eye sinus
Salmonella culture on liver/spleen/cecal tonsil pool
Blood work for avian influenza
