URGENT: 4 week old chick droopy puffed up less active smaller appetite straining to poo

[solomine]

I've seen her drinking and I've also given her water (dribbled on the side of her beak). How much water should I be giving her? (I can probably give her too much, right?)

Are there any other possibilities besides coccidiosis? (Also, are there any telltale signs of cocci? Coccidiosis' symptoms seem to overlap with a lot of other diseases)

Thank you everyone for your quick replies

 

[cafarmgirl]

I've seen her drinking and I've also given her water (dribbled on the side of her beak). How much water should I be giving her? (I can probably give her too much, right?)

Are there any other possibilities besides coccidiosis? (Also, are there any telltale signs of cocci? Coccidiosis' symptoms seem to overlap with a lot of other diseases)

Thank you everyone for your quick replies

The early signs of coccidiosis are lethargy, sitting around puffed up, not wanting to eat/drink much if at all. Sometimes you will see blood in the stool, sometimes you won't. The problem is that it progresses so fast and you can go from a lethargic chick to a dead chick overnight. That's why people recommend treating for it asap, even if you aren't sure that's what it is, just to rule it out. You just don't have time on your side with coccidiosis to see how things go. Early treatment saves chicks, if they progress to far they have to much damage and you won't save them.

Whether your chick is brewing a case of it I don't know, a vet could run a fecal and look for the cocci protozoa but you'll pay less just to get Corid and treat. Then you'll have the peace of mind knowing you at least ruled out that possibility. And if that doesn't solve the problem you can move on to other options.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

The early signs of coccidiosis are lethargy, sitting around puffed up, not wanting to eat/drink much if at all. Sometimes you will see blood in the stool, sometimes you won't. The problem is that it progresses so fast and you can go from a lethargic chick to a dead chick overnight. That's why people recommend treating for it asap, even if you aren't sure that's what it is, just to rule it out. You just don't have time on your side with coccidiosis to see how things go. Early treatment saves chicks, if they progress to far they have to much damage and you won't save them.

Whether your chick is brewing a case of it I don't know, a vet could run a fecal and look for the cocci protozoa but you'll pay less just to get Corid and treat. Then you'll have the peace of mind knowing you at least ruled out that possibility. And if that doesn't solve the problem you can move on to other options.

Agreed! The rapid progression often means it is too late by the time you determine that is what you are dealing with - which is why people are quick to go ahead and treat "just in case".

 

[casportpony]

And treating with Corid (amprolium) is not like treating with antibiotics, I don't believe there are any risks with short term use.

-Kathy

 

[cafarmgirl]

And treating with Corid (amprolium) is not like treating with antibiotics, I don't believe there are any risks with short term use.

-Kathy

True. I suppose if you treated long term with no break you might see a thiamin deficiency but not after a normal 5-7 day treatment. And even the preventative dose is given at intervals so no danger of that then either.

 

[solomine]

Hmm... I also feed them medicated started feed. Will this cause them to have a thiamin deficiency? Should I switch them to normal feed?

 

[casportpony]

Hmm... I also feed them medicated started feed. Will this cause them to have a thiamin deficiency? Should I switch them to normal feed?

I've never seen a deficiency in any of mine.

-Kathy

 

[cafarmgirl]

Hmm... I also feed them medicated started feed. Will this cause them to have a thiamin deficiency? Should I switch them to normal feed?

The amount of amprolium in medicated feed is very minimal so it's not going to make a lot of difference. I have always continued to feed the medicated when I treat with Corid rather then go out and buy another sack of feed.

 

[casportpony]

Quote: Same here.

-Kathy

 

[solomine]

She looks worse right now. Put corid in the water. Her chirps seem a little harsher now (but softer ... kind of hoarse?) She made a really loud squawk and shook herself like she was in pain twice. She's really sluggish and doesn't really respond when I pick her up.