Vet found spirochetes in droppings but med's don't seem to be working -

[choptank330]

That's awesome ! I am so glad that they are getting better for you Maybe in a week or so they'll be laying eggs for you again !

 

[dawg53]

I know there are spirochetes that can infect chickens in different parts of the body. The Red Chicken mite can be a source...but I dont know specifically what they attack in the system. Inspect your birds for mites. In other words, what was the source/cause of the spirochetes and how to prevent further infections? Perhaps the vet would know.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

I know there are spirochetes that can infect chickens in different parts of the body. The Red Chicken mite can be a source...but I dont know specifically what they attack in the system. Inspect your birds for mites. In other words, what was the source/cause of the spirochetes and how to prevent further infections? Perhaps the vet would know.

Yes, that's one thing I will be discussing with the vet. I have checked them for mites, lice, etc. and haven't found anything. I've read that ticks can cause them but the specific tick referred to aren't in my region. Not sure if ticks from my area can cause the spirochetes.

I think you're onto something regarding the Red Chicken mite. See link below and it specifically references the red chicken mite causing Avian Spirochetes. It says the mite comes out at night so possibly I've not seen them? I have checked the girls and have never seen anything on them.

NOW, how to get rid of the mites??? And, thanks, I believe you may have hit the nail on the head!

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig140

 

[dawg53]

You can go out to the coop at night with a flashlight and have a look-see. You should be able to see mites crawling around on roosts/nests/chicken legs and feet if they're present.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

You can go out to the coop at night with a flashlight and have a look-see. You should be able to see mites crawling around on roosts/nests/chicken legs and feet if they're present.

Just got back from tucking the girls in. Took a flashlight, went quietly into the dark coop, turned the light on and . . . nothing.

Checked the roosts, their feet, pulled up the straw in the nesting boxes, looked on the walls near cracks, picked up two of the girls and inspected their bums. The EE has such a fluffy butt I thought I'd never find her skin. The other girl is molting and - in the bright glare of a flashlight - her butt was really, really ugly.

Nothing. Zip. Nada. Part of me is pleased that they are mite and lice free. The other part of me would like to find something that caused this and enable me to get rid of it.

 

[dawg53]

No mites, that's good news but still a mystery. Better check with your vet.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Talked with my vet today. He said that the spirochetes can come from any number of places - bugs, ticks, insects, even from the droppings of other birds flying overhead. He said they're all around. He also said that they could be secondary to another problem which is why he thought it might be primarily cocci with the spirochetes being secondary. He's a small animal vet and said that in dogs he'll see cocci and spirochetes at the same time but he treats the cocci with a med that also handles the spirochetes so both problems are resolved.

I asked him about reinfection and passing this onto the rest of the flock. He said the spirochetes live in their droppings for only a short while. The droppings have to be fresh for them to be viable. I do deep litter in my coop and asked him if I need to get rid of what's already there. [which would be a bummer as I've been building my deep litter in prep for winter] He said it was a "crap shoot" [pun intended] but felt that the deep litter was much better for the birds as it helps them acquire an immunity and the beneficial little critters that develop in deep litter plus the composting action helps to get rid of the spirochetes and other harmful things. Combined with the spirochetes short lifespan outside the bird, he thought that I'd might as well continue with building my deep litter and revisit that thought should we see a second outbreak.

I'm hopeful this was a freak incident and will continue with my deep litter. Am adding a fresh layer of pine shavings to bury what's already there. I guess the best lesson here is to get your birds stool sample tested when you're not sure what's going on. She had been acting "off" for a good two weeks before she developed any visible problem. I'm just glad I thought to get her stool tested when I did.

 

[dawg53]

Excellent info, thanks for the follow up.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Read with interest. Glad to see it worked!

 

[delisha]

Good read and very informative..thank you