Possible secondary condition in addition to chronic round worm infection

[humminbird94]

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.

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?

 

[humminbird94]

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?

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?

 

[humminbird94]

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

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?

 

[humminbird94]

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.

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?

 

[humminbird94]

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.

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?

 

[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.

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?

 

[azygous]

Give her electrolytes in water plus a teaspoon of sugar for shock that often comes after draining. She could die, so get as much of these fluids with sugar and electrolytes into her as you are able.

 

[humminbird94]

Give her electrolytes in water plus a teaspoon of sugar for shock that often comes after draining. She could die, so get as much of these fluids with sugar and electrolytes into her as you are able.

Thank you.

1. Is there an amount that's too much?
I'm administering via syringe. I finally figured out how to administer via an up and over the tongue method. So she hasnt gotten a lot of nutrients for a couple hours until i figured out how to do this safely.

I had hydro hen electrolyte and probiotic on hand. Added sugar.

2. Should I let her sleep? Or should I keep her awake? I don't want her to fade away if I let her sleep.

 

[humminbird94]

Give her electrolytes in water plus a teaspoon of sugar for shock that often comes after draining. She could die, so get as much of these fluids with sugar and electrolytes into her as you are able.

And how often throughout the night should I give her this electrolyte sugar mix? I don't think I can get food down her, unless there's a trick for how to do it when she's not really wanting anything?

 

[azygous]

Draining all that fluid upset her electrolyte balance and abruptly depleted her fluids. If you can get at least half a cup of this solution into her before you got to bed, that would be good enough. Try dipping her beak to give her a taste, then she should drink on her own. She should be back to normal eating and drinking by morning.