Sick SLW- 7 months old- nothing is helping

[Eggcessive]

I just looked up the symptoms for Blackhead and she doesn't have yellowish poo at all. It's been a consistant green with white in it. But all the other symptoms she has. lethargy, keeping eyes closed, ect... To be honest I am not sure what the vet would do for me. They don't "do" chickens. She really had no clue even about the worm she found. I am at my witz end with all of this. I don't know what is going on or any vet that is willing to work with me. I think i'm about to rant for a moment. I live in backasswards Arkansas and no one is willing to help any one out. It is really frustrating. All they say is no we cant help you... If the purpose doesn't serve them they wont help you. I just called the other possible vet out of town and they said no we can't help you. I told them I just needed a test done for yeast and bacteria. Sorry we don't do poultry is what I got. I am out of possible solutions here and I really want to help her. I just don't know what to do. However, I will do some more digging about Blackhead and see if more of her symptoms match up. And, I've got a petsmart right down the road.

I'm sure you need some rest after a week of caring for a very sick chicken for a week, plus all of your other family and school responsibilities. Just because she has cecal worms doesn't mean she has blackhead. Her symptoms fit with many illnesses--chickens are lethargic and weak from most any illness. The reason this emergency forum is here is because most of us don't live in an area with expensive avian vets, or if we do we can't afford them. Your state vet or local NPIP agent might help you out with getting a stool culture for bacteria and protozoans. Just keep treating how you are, and see if she starts to get better. E.coli in chickens is very difficult to treat. It is easier to prevent it with bacitracin in the feed at large meat bird farms, but as Flockwatcher said, it is best to know what you are treating. Hoping for good news tomorrow.

 

[Eggcessive]

Well, after reading about cecal worms, I guess there is a pretty good chance that chickens will get blackhead from them. I don't think it is 100% of the time, but maybe Casportpony or Michael Apple would know. Probably getting the metronidazole/Flagyl/Fishzole wouldn't be a bad idea. Apparently chickens don't always show the signs of blackhead, including the foamy yellow droppings. It also can cause blood in the droppings. Here is a good price on the Fishzole if Petco dosesn't have it: http://www.allivet.com/p-2397-fish-zole-250-mg-30-caps.aspx?gclid=CMeZvp64lbsCFfBDMgodJAkAvA

 

[STaggart]

Well, after reading about cecal worms, I guess there is a pretty good chance that chickens will get blackhead from them. I don't think it is 100% of the time, but maybe Casportpony or Michael Apple would know. Probably getting the metronidazole/Flagyl/Fishzole wouldn't be a bad idea. Apparently chickens don't always show the signs of blackhead, including the foamy yellow droppings. It also can cause blood in the droppings. Here is a good price on the Fishzole if Petco dosesn't have it: http://www.allivet.com/p-2397-fish-zole-250-mg-30-caps.aspx?gclid=CMeZvp64lbsCFfBDMgodJAkAvA

Ok Hopefully I am getting this straight? lol Indeed I am very tired and wearing out... Is the API General Cure the same thing as the Fish Zole?? The General Cure has metronidazole in it, but from what I can tell there are other ingredients in it too. I will call tomorrow and see if the vet that did the float will get me some Flagyl and if not then I can order the Fish Zole online or pick up the General Cure. Which ever is better? Yes, I did read on one website that chickens do not always show every symptom of blackhead. But, it is very common with this type of worm. They can be introduced to the cecal worm through earthworms, too. Which does not surprise me if she got a hold of an earthworm that was a carrier of the cecal worm itself. I might have narrowed it down tonight... Michael Apple did give me advise about the Flagyl and treatment process; which I am grateful for. Eggcessive, you both seem to be on the same page so I will go with this information. Michael said to treat with safeguard then wait a couple days and if she is not improving to do the Flagyl. My only question now is should I continue with the Penicillin for another 3 days? then give her a break with vitamins, minerals and probios then if she is not better do the Flagyl/Fish Zole? I think this is what he suggested but I was a little confused probably because I am tired... LOL

 

[Eggcessive]

I probably would continue with Penicillin since it is only for 4 days, while going ahead with the Safeguard, especially since the state vet thinks it could be enteritis, and Michael Apple said you could wait another few days to give the metronidazole. I'm not familiar with. the General Cure, but Kathy seems to be a walking drug book, so I would get what she recommends.

 

[STaggart]

I just answered my own question about the fish zole and general cure. Both are basically the same. They both have Metronidazole. Found that info from Kathy on a different forum; Thanks Kathy if you're still reading... LOL

 

[ivan3]

Certainly sympathize with your difficulty finding a vet. We spent nearly a month querying everyone from the avian pathologist at the University of Missouri's School of Ag turkey farm to the State Vet's Office before we found a doc.

Just going to paste one of my posts from one of our many Histomoniasis threads in the Turkey Forum with some references:

H.M.. kill times, or not, (in vitro) of a wide range of anti-protozoals: http://ps.fass.org/content/81/8/1122.full.pdf

Symptomatic chickens: http://en.aviagen.com/assets/Tech_C...es/English/AviagenBrief_MaleHealth_June09.pdf

Just file away `all the rest' (to worry about later...) from the following reference and go directly to chapter 35: http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/field_manual/

Other than regular worming schedule (and/or building and indoor aviary) making sure runs have better than adequate drainage and soil is `amended' sufficiently will decrease opportunistic transport of disease agent (consider starting with: http://www.lime.org/lime_basics/faq.asp - scroll down to articles listed under: Soil-Related & Agricultural Applications), sand (lots of it) is a good addition after turning and liming. Keeping turks off the ground for the first three months in an area known to have a history is a good strategy (whether there are chickens or not).

 

[casportpony]

Ok Hopefully I am getting this straight? lol Indeed I am very tired and wearing out... Is the API General Cure the same thing as the Fish Zole?? The General Cure has metronidazole in it, but from what I can tell there are other ingredients in it too. I will call tomorrow and see if the vet that did the float will get me some Flagyl and if not then I can order the Fish Zole online or pick up the General Cure. Which ever is better? Yes, I did read on one website that chickens do not always show every symptom of blackhead. But, it is very common with this type of worm. They can be introduced to the cecal worm through earthworms, too. Which does not surprise me if she got a hold of an earthworm that was a carrier of the cecal worm itself. I might have narrowed it down tonight... Michael Apple did give me advise about the Flagyl and treatment process; which I am grateful for. Eggcessive, you both seem to be on the same page so I will go with this information. Michael said to treat with safeguard then wait a couple days and if she is not improving to do the Flagyl. My only question now is should I continue with the Penicillin for another 3 days? then give her a break with vitamins, minerals and probios then if she is not better do the Flagyl/Fish Zole? I think this is what he suggested but I was a little confused probably because I am tired... LOL

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Warning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​

Someone just posted that the API General Cure that was at their pet store did not have metronidazole in it, it had something else, so check the ingedients to verify that it has 250mg metronidazole.

The API General Cure is has 250mg metronidazole and 75mg praziquantil, so it will take care of the protozoa and tapeworms. The only reason I suggested the API is that if one suspects blackhead there isn't usually enough time to order Fish-Zole or Meditrich.


Below are some blackhead poop pictures. The only bird that died was the one that produced the first picture, all others responded to metronidazole or metronidazole and Clavamox.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

FWIW, all but one or two of the blackhead necropsies I have seen or read about have also had secondary e. Coli infections. This is a link to a peafowl necropsy that I did in October:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...s-probable-blackhead-five-miles-from-my-place

-Kathy
.

 

[STaggart]

Thank you Kathy for this information. I will definitely check the labeling if that is what I buy today. I did call the vet we saw yester and she said since Velma isn't a "patient' of her's she cannot prescribe the Flagyl. POOP! All the aquatic stores within a 50 mile radius around me do not open until 11. So I will be calling them at that time. I did send you a PM about the General Cure. Velma's poo is closer to the 4th picture of poo you posted, but without the blood. I did read last night that blood does not always accompany the poo with Blackhead. I just dewormed her even though she is looking very bad this morning. Hopefully that will help and I will start the vit & probios in the water today. I have been giving her yogurt for a couple days now (3 days), but I will start the water treatment and let her rest then see how she is and administer the Blackhead treatment(3-5 days) no longer than 2 days from now. She is extremely weak this morning not moving around, doesn't want to be touched, didn't eat or drink anything last night (however she is still pooping). She is also keeping her head and neck drawn up and tucked away under/in her wing. I hope she keeps on fighting the good fight until I can get some medicine.

 

[STaggart]

FWIW, all but one or two of the blackhead necropsies I have seen or read about have also had secondary e. Coli infections.

-Kathy
.

That is good to know. Both eyes are swollen now. If I need to I will treat for E. Coli after the Blackhead treatment. Thank you for this information.