Using sulmet -- how long do I treat? Still bloody poop.

[OCchickens]

Hi - noticed bloody poop in my almost 3 wk old chicks yesterday, one seemed a little off, started sulmet last night. The one that was off seems a little worse - standing & rumpled looking. People seem to say sulmet works fast so I'm wondering if there's something else I should be doing. Seems like it's still eating & drinking so should be getting the medication.

I notice a few of them (including the sick one) pulling up on foot & holding it up curled for a few moments. What does that mean?

Thanks!!

 

[MoodyChicken]

Sulmet doesn't work overnight, and the rate of recovery depends on the individual bird, the severity of infection, and the species of Cocci. So don't worry just yet. Treat for recommended number of days and then worry. It wouldn't hurt to give them a few extra things though. Give them yogurt and tons of fresh greens. That might help. Boiled rice and honey supposedly helps sick chicks too.

Healthy birds do that naturally, but sick birds tend to do it more often. It means their feet are cold and they're trying to conserve heat. Chickens' shanks lose a lot of heat to the environment, so by covering their legs, they conserve heat.

 

[MoodyChicken]

Oh, forgot. Definitely give them electrolytes too. Cocci detroy the intestinal lining, making water and nutrient obsorbtion less efficient. Electrolytes will help with the water problem at least.

 

[mypicklebird]

get a fecal done, then you know if you are dealing with coccidia or not

 

[OCchickens]

Quote:
Can I put the vitamins/electrolytes in the water with the medication?

 

[OCchickens]

The one that was droopy before seems better, altho they still look a little rumpled & pull up one foot.

Poop seemed better last 2 days also altho so stinky! This morning, though, there was some fresh watery poop with blood, and another of the chicks now looks worse, and I'm noticing is quite a bit smaller than the others of his breed.

Chicks are 3.5 wk old now.

The sulmet instructions have them on the 1/2 dose now for 4 days. What do I do if the bloody poop & symptoms continue? Go back to the full dose? Change drugs?

I've read some stuff that says you can't give the sulfas continuously....

Help! Thanks

 

[tiki244]

Give initial dose of sulmet for 6 days,,,,,then 2 days 1/2 then quit,,,,,,,,after 3 days if they have any symptoms give for 2 days , then quit.


In the meantime give lots of grit, and not too much protein during treatment,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and vitamin and electrolytes when you are done with the medication. Also a little live yogurt each day when ypou are done with the meds.

 

[speckledhen]

I found out from someone in the know that Sulmet can make the intestinal bleeding continue. That is why it's recommended to try the Corid/Amprol first because it is not an antibiotic.
Here is an excellent article on cocci that also mentions the old standby of raw milk for battling cocci in chicks.

http://www.cornerstone-farm.com/dealing_with_coccidiosis.htm

 

[JennsPeeps]

We treated with sulmet recently and followed the label instructions of 2 days at the full dosage (1 T per gallon, I think), then 4 days and half dosage.

Are there instructions on the label?

 

[OCchickens]

Quote:
I have been treating with these same instructions - I think it's day #2 of the 1/2 strength -- just wondering what to do if symptoms are getting worse or there are still symptoms at the end of the 4 days.

Thanks everyone for the article & the suggestions.