Sick hen, treated for coccidiosis, ups & downs - now what?

[EggSighted4Life]

r (@EggSighted4Life) mentioned checking the crop function. I don't know how to check this. What are your thoughts on this? My flock is not yet free ranging

Here are a couple of links to review..

https://the-chicken-chick.com/chicken-anatomy-crop-impacted-crop-sour/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

*Sometimes* crop dysfunction can be a symptom of Marek's. They don't have to be free ranging to catch it or at least I'm under the impression that it can spread for up to 3 miles or "carried on the breeze".

Any attack to the immune system may make other things more susceptible like Coccidiosis.. but you can test for that in a fecal float.

Corid works by mimicking thiamine (B1) to starve out and slow the growth of coccidia.. An overdose would most likely present as a thiamine deficiency..

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...l stages of,-gazing, and frequent convulsions.

 

[PNW keeper]

Eye dropper or oral syringe. Questions, ask away.

For 3 days I’ve been orally medicating my sick chicken at the dosage you’ve recommended. She has improved, on her feet, eating and drinking (also corid in her water). She is mobile, but still very wobbly and lethargic.

I’ve also noticed she does this sort of twitching with her head.

What next steps should I consider? Switching her off Corid and onto electrolytes and vitamins? Further medication?

Also, because she does not roost at night I’ve had to clean her backside regularly as poop builds up back there from sitting in it constantly.

I’m also going to continue to treat my other birds at the preventative dosage of corid in their water.

Many thanks.

 

[azygous]

It's very common to have a secondary bacterial infection with coccidiosis. Have you found an antibiotic? Have you begun treating with it.

 

[PNW keeper]

It's very common to have a secondary bacterial infection with coccidiosis. Have you found an antibiotic? Have you begun treating with it.

I have not started an antibiotic. What I can find locally is non-prescription remedies like Pet rX and certain homeopathic medicines. Not sure they would do what I need. Right?

 

[azygous]

Order here. https://www.kvsupply.com/item/aqua-mox-250mg-capsules-100-count/P06184/

 

[PNW keeper]

Order here. https://www.kvsupply.com/item/aqua-mox-250mg-capsules-100-count/P06184/

I received the antibiotics today. Today I tried mixing the contents of a capsule in some water. It seemed to work, although a bit gritty. It also resulted in 1.5ml of liquid syringe which was a bit more than I think she enjoyed forcibly drinking. The are there any other recommended ways of administering?

Thanks again for all the advice. She is looking better and more alert. Just still physical wobbly and falling over she does when she tries to clean herself.

 

[azygous]

These may be fish antibiotics but the way you give them to a chicken is to pry open the beak and shove the pill in.

 

[ashloveschickens]

I received the antibiotics today. Today I tried mixing the contents of a capsule in some water. It seemed to work, although a bit gritty. It also resulted in 1.5ml of liquid syringe which was a bit more than I think she enjoyed forcibly drinking. The are there any other recommended ways of administering?

Thanks again for all the advice. She is looking better and more alert. Just still physical wobbly and falling over she does when she tries to clean herself.

Hi there! Can you give an update on your chick? Mine is experiencing the exact same symptoms as yours (wobbly, lethargy and head twitching) after completing her Corid treatment and I don't know what to do next! Trying to decide if I should pull her off the corridor and switch to Nutri Drench and Probios. Hoping to hear your baby made it. Thanks!

 

[PNW keeper]

Hi there! Can you give an update on your chick? Mine is experiencing the exact same symptoms as yours (wobbly, lethargy and head twitching) after completing her Corid treatment and I don't know what to do next! Trying to decide if I should pull her off the corridor and switch to Nutri Drench and Probios. Hoping to hear your baby made it. Thanks!

Unfortunately, no. She did not make it after the 3 week battle.

She seemed to respond best to the 3 day drench dose of 1.5ml the Corid, but I don't know how long you can safely administer that. After that (even with Corid in her water) she had her ups and downs. I had her on an antibiotic for 8 days which I feel like did nothing. I had another recommended antibiotic in shipping when she finally passed. So I can't even conclusively say what it was.

Wish you better luck with yours.

 

[ashloveschickens]

Unfortunately, no. She did not make it after the 3 week battle.

She seemed to respond best to the 3 day drench dose of 1.5ml the Corid, but I don't know how long you can safely administer that. After that (even with Corid in her water) she had her ups and downs. I had her on an antibiotic for 8 days which I feel like did nothing. I had another recommended antibiotic in shipping when she finally passed. So I can't even conclusively say what it was.

Wish you better luck with yours.

Ugh that is not encouraging and Im so very sorry. Did you ever pull her off the Corid and try vitamins/probiotics? Sounds like a waste time to try antibiotics! Was your baby eating on her own the entire time and having solid poop?