she can't walk - SAD UPDATE - We lost Blueberry this afternoon

[MimiChick]

Thanks AHappyChick. That's a great idea. I may see if there's something I can work out with that. It's just difficult because I don't have anywhere for her except in her roost box. Oh well, I'll just keep on keeping on.
My DH is getting impatient because she's not better yet (it's only been a week), but I'm going to keep at it.
Great post, BTW, I hope Sweet Pea is doing well.
Thanks again.

 

[mandiedriskill]

Hey, everyone I went to the vet and they think that it's a bacterial infection and possibly it could Coccidiosis. They did a fecal test to get the findings. If your pullets are under 16 weeks of age and UNDER you can get a product called sulfadimethoxine at most farm and feed stores that carry antibiotics. This will treat both bacterial infections and Coccidiosis. I hope this helps your birds. The vet is also going to get me a laying hen approved antibiotic, so for you guys who have laying hens like me too.

 

[dancingr6]

My vet said that treating with the sulfa drugs (or sulfadimethoxine) for coccidia is fine for older chickens too. The sulfadrugs are used for intestinal infections, certain short lived bacterial infection, and is particularily effective at treating many of the protazoan in the digestive tract (microparasites). Humans use the sulfadrugs, and therefore using them on egglayers is not harmful. Also, they are particularily stable-- cyclic alkene groups with double bonded oxygen side chains. The molecular structure is not apt to falling apart in biological membranes, and it is hydrophobic/non fat soluble.
Not only that, but it is a good broad spectrum antibiotic-- it might knock out some other pathogen that could be causing it. If you get it from a vet it is called albon-- a yellow liquid-- good treatment time is 5 days straight. It can be obtained in a powder or suspension.
Yet, usually you see some sign of bloody stool with coccidia so I would be leary to consider these cases to be coccidia. You can easily get a stool sample sent off to a lab and get results within a few days. Many vets are not able to spot them under the standard scopes.
You can PM me with questions

 

[MimiChick]

Thanks Mandiedriskill and Dancingr6. So, it's possible we're dealing with some type of infection and the sulfadimethoxine may help. OK, I'm going to TSC tomorrow, first thing, and get some. Blueberry is well over 16 weeks, but she's not laying yet, so I'm not really worried about the eggs. I'm ready to try anything right now. It probably woudn't hurt and maybe it will help. I'm also going to keep up with the vitamins and calcium and keep my fingers crossed.

Thanks again everyone. I'll keep you all posted on her progress.

 

[mandiedriskill]

Please, tell me how blueberry is doing after a day or two on the medication. Hopefully she will have a dramatic improvement and will be walking fully.

 

[LynneP]

Any news? I'm following you with great interest and I wish I knew more- no experience with this, though I did deal with a trauma lameness and a deficiency lameness, both resolved.
I wish we had more avian vets so we could define what is happening. We finally have one an hour away, so I have an option in a mystery illness, but I know it isn't possibly for most.

 

[MimiChick]

Well, TSC didn't have sulfadimethoxine so they recommended duramycen. Since it was only 4.99 I got it. They did send me down to a farmer's co-op to check and the co-op actually had the sulfa***, but it was 87.00 for a bottle of 500 pills

. Since I've just been laid off from my job, and I'd only need about 5 pills, I just couldn't do it at this time. They do sell Sulmet by the pill for 95 cents each. Could I use that do you think? I did get some nutri-drench and I'm going to give some to all 3 girls just for general health's sake. Do you think I should go with the duramycen? If so, how much and how often? Again, I'm not worried about eggs right now, so that's not a factor. I'm just fighting for her health and to get her right. Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[jaimslee4u]

My pullet is having the same problem so keep us posted....

 

[jaimslee4u]

I just looked up sulfadimethoxine, online. It looks like you can get it for birds at a regular pet store. Is this the same stuff?

 

[RobinZ]

Sadly we have put Rosie down this morning. She was just getting weaker and weaker. So far no others have exhibited any of the same symptoms.