Possible secondary condition in addition to chronic round worm infection

[humminbird94]

Hi all.

3.5 year old Plymouth Barred Rock hen.

Summary: 3x treating with valbazen for roundworm prescribed by vet. She does better for 3 weeks then declines again (sitting often, eyes closing, lack of foraging, runny stool). 1 week nursing back to health with valbazen treatment, seems better. Then the viscious cycle starts back again.

*Note: abdomen never stopped feeling slightly distended throughout these last months.

Second time around, metronidazole was prescribed because she had a secondary bacteria infection in stool.

This 3rd time is different. She has been doing well for 3 weeks, normal activity, foraging. Sunday night abdomen seemed little more distended, she did not want to roost. This Monday (3 days ago) i brought a healthy looking fecal sample to vet to ensure roundworm was gone. Roundworm was still present. Vet prescribed a HIGH one time dose of valbazen. I administered Tuesday night (2 days ago). Yesterday, abdomen become more distended and harder, still moving around outside fine.

TODAY, penguin stance IF standing, slightly open beak breathing, she seems extremely uncomfortable to stand, and does not want to stand, extremely distended abdomen. Moved to secluded room.
She has never open beak breathed, or not wanted to stand, or had this distended of an abdomen and had a severe penguin stance. She has always wanted to eat when food is put infront of her and she now will not move to eat. She wants water via droplet put infront of her, appears to be too hard for her to drink water out of the bowl when put infront of her. I'm worried that the medication has been too hard on the parasitic load. Thoughts?

My side thoughts:
Could there be a secondary underlying issue? Egg yolk peritonitis or some other internal reproductive issue going on? First time around I treated her with tylosin I had on hand in addition to the valbazen incase it was bacterial.
When I first brought her to the vet few months ago it was due to her distended abdomen, fatigue, lack of movement, lack of laying. She was a consistent layer previously. I originally brought up periontitis or other reproductive issues to the vet. He was more focused on the issue tangible which is roundworm found in the fecal sample.

Any advice, guidance appreciated.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Tagging best helpers I know of:
@azygous
@Wyorp Rock
@Eggcessive

 

[azygous]

Of course she could have something else going on besides worms. EYP, internal laying, even tumors. But her symptoms are also consistent with shock following a heavy worm load.

Treat her with electrolytes and added sugar for the shock. And she might benefit from a flush if a heavy load of dead worms are clogging her intestines.

A flush would likely need to be tubed into her. Are you up for that?

 

[humminbird94]

What would a flush entail?
I'm not sure flushing is something my vet is even considering because he didn't mention it when I called today concerned about her steep declined condition and inquiry about effect of parasitic load. So this may be something I have to do on my own.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What dose of Valbazen is your vet prescribing?
You are giving once, then repeating the dose in 10 days or just giving one dose?

A distended abdomen could be from a number of things. Fluid (ascites) in the abdomen can be a fairly common symptom of reproductive disorders or organ dysfunction.
You could try giving an aloe detox to see if that helps with the fluid retention. Some folks drain the fluid, since you have a vet that is treating her, ask what your options of draining would be. Draining is not a cure, but it can make a hen a little more comfortable for a period of time.

 

[humminbird94]

What dose of Valbazen is your vet prescribing?
You are giving once, then repeating the dose in 10 days or just giving one dose?

A distended abdomen could be from a number of things. Fluid (ascites) in the abdomen can be a fairly common symptom of reproductive disorders or organ dysfunction.
You could try giving an aloe detox to see if that helps with the fluid retention. Some folks drain the fluid, since you have a vet that is treating her, ask what your options of draining would be. Draining is not a cure, but it can make a hen a little more comfortable for a period of time.

So first time she was declining it was 5 ml (small syringe) 1x per day for 5 days.
3 weeks later when she was declining again took her in to be seen and prescribed same thing to repeat, plus the metronidazole for the secondary infection.

She recovered this last 3 weeks. This Monday took a fecal sample in, still shows roundworm, prescribed a high 1x dose off 1.1ml (large syringe). I gave the dosage Tuesday evening.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you mean that you gave 0.5 ml the first time? That is more of a normal dose for a 4-6 pound bird. Then it is given again in 10-14 days for the newly hatched worm eggs.

 

[azygous]

You can do a mild flush yourself and it only involves giving her a fourth of a cup of warm water with one teaspoon molasses stirred in. Have her drink it all. Reove her other water until she finishes it.

This mildly stimulates the intestines to move material through and out. Another intense flush is also something you can do at home, but it involves tube feeding it over a three day period.

 

[humminbird94]

What dose of Valbazen is your vet prescribing?
You are giving once, then repeating the dose in 10 days or just giving one dose?

A distended abdomen could be from a number of things. Fluid (ascites) in the abdomen can be a fairly common symptom of reproductive disorders or organ dysfunction.
You could try giving an aloe detox to see if that helps with the fluid retention. Some folks drain the fluid, since you have a vet that is treating her, ask what your options of draining would be. Draining is not a cure, but it can make a hen a little more comfortable for a period of time.

Do you mean that you gave 0.5 ml the first time? That is more of a normal dose for a 4-6 pound bird. Then it is given again in 10-14 days for the newly hatched worm eggs.

Yes, 0.5ml, apologies. He never indicated to do a second round in 10-14 days. But we ended up doing a second round of 0.5ml 1x per day for 5 days about 16 days later when we brought her in to be seen, again, due to her declining.
I also called in to speak with him a few times after the initial visit, and one of my questions was if the round should be repeated and he said no, so that's a bit concerning.

 

[humminbird94]

Yes, 0.5ml, apologies. He never indicated to do a second round in 10-14 days. But we ended up doing a second round of 0.5ml 1x per day for 5 days about 16 days later when we brought her in to be seen, again, due to her declining.
I also called in to speak with him a few times after the initial visit, and one of my questions was if the round should be repeated and he said no, so that's a bit concerning.

Turns out she has acites. Got second opinion. Vet drained almost 1 lb of fluid from her. 4 hours ago. I've been sent home with tylosin and pain med. I've been sent home and she is starting to droop her head and close her eyes. I'm worried she's nearing being unresponsive. What can I do?