Weight Loss, large swelling UPDATE 9/2 Baytril Question

[Casey3043]

She is taking baytril, doxycycline, cisapride (Propulsid), metronidazole (Flagyl), and metacam (a NSAID, similar to Celebrex). I notice that some of these have been taken off the market for human use, but are still available for veterinary use. I am also supposed to give her metamucil, but I don't have any at home so that will have to wait until tomorrow.

The antibiotics were given because her white cell count was elevated.

She gobbled up all the food I gave her, so that is a good sign. She weighed 1.56 Kg this morning (3.43 lbs), down from 3.96 lbs when I brought her in. They said if she couldn't maintain her weight by Monday, they want to euthanize her and autopsy to figure out whether what she has is a threat to the rest of the flock. I don't think I will go along with this, not right away. I will give her more time than that. She certainly ate heartily today.

CASEY

 

[Casey3043]

Victoria is one happy chicken! She is gorging on treats and special foods---all her favorites to keep her eating. She is also eating layer crumbles. She has stopped losing weight, held steady for a day, and then this morning she has gained 2 ounces. That doesn't seem like much, but at least we are going in the right direction. She looks much better.

Still don't know why her crop was swollen and why all the weight loss. Blood tests were sent off to a specialist on Friday (at Clemson, I think) and we should have those results tomorrow. I will let you know what they say if anyone is interested.

Meanwhile, she is eating, drinking, pooping, clucking, and hoping to get out of solitary confinement soon. She still seems somewhat dehydrated as her comb is not standing up yet.

CASEY

 

[LynneP]

Cucumbers are wonderful for rehydration...glad she is recovering...

 

[NotTheMomma]

I pray she continues in the right direction!

 

[Casey3043]

Victoria had her recheck at the vet this morning. She has gained weight back to 4.3 lbs, up from a little over 3 lbs when I first brought her in a week ago. Her crop is normal size and she is to continue on Baytril, Cisapride, Metacam and doxycycline for another week. She is healthy, happy, and feisty as can be, and boy, does she want OUT!!

I decided to keep her confined in the large brooder cage which is about twice the size of the big dog kennel that she has been in. First because I would have to catch her every morning to give her the meds, and second because the vet said to discard her eggs while she is on Baytril.

I googled Baytril and learned that in the past is has been given routinely to chicken and turkey flocks to PREVENT infections, and that it has been banned for such use because it is close to the human version of CIPRO (which is effective against anthrax) and they were concerned about drug-resistant bacterial strains gaining ground. Supposedly, Baytril cannot be given to food animals or dairy cows at all. The vet didn't know whether it would go through to the eggs or not, but to be safe, she said to discard them.

Anybody have any experience with this question?

 

[mypicklebird]

I am glad she is feeling/doing better, but in answer to your question-----Baytril (enrofloxacin) is on the prohibited (banned) list of drugs for use in any food animal or food producing animal including meat or laying poultry. This drug is in the fluoroquinolone class. FARAD comes up with the list. Veterinarians are usually very cautious with prescribing these medications, as repercussions are possible. There is no published withdrawal time for these drugs, so by default- withdrawal time is for life. Most people toss eggs for 2-3 weeks, but because of the use of multiple drug use in your hen of which withdrawal times for eggs are unavailable (metronidazole, doxy, baytril, cisapride, metacam ect) you should never sell her eggs or give them to anybody.

 

[Casey3043]

Wow! Something to think about. Victoria is totally recovered and has regained her spot at the top of the pecking order, much to the chagrin of #2, who had taken over and thought she herself made a good queen!

Victoria is not laying now---her comb is no longer red. She may not lay again till spring, if then. Fortunately, I don't sell eggs anyway, so there is no problem there. We use them ourselves, but will not use hers.

Thanks for the information.

CASEY