Wormy poop

[Henriettamom919]

BTW, don't put this off. Parasite overload can kill chickens, so you want to do this soon.

Do you think her vet was right about the Mycoplasma? I find it weird to jump to that given the parasite overload this poor chicken is dealing with!? Seems like unneeded antibiotics would only worsen possible digestive issues from the worms?

 

[Henriettamom919]

If it is tapeworm, Valbazen won't work. You need Praziquentel which you can get in horse paste.

Treat the lice. Closely examine for worm type. It's important to use the right stuff if it is tapes.

My thoughts
LofMc

Valbazen treats tapeworm; at least it says it does and people here have recommended it because it does

Does valbazen treat tapeworms?
Cattle and sheep: Valbazen is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic effective in the removal and control of liver flukes, tapeworms, stomach worms (including 4th stage inhibited larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi), intestinal worms, and lungworms as indicated below. Goats: For the treatment of adult liver flukes in nonlactating goats. Nov 30 2018

 

[getaclue]

Lady, I realize Equimax Paste is a lot better for tapes, however, I do not suggest it now, in this situation. If it were just tapes, yes, but we're not sure that's all there is. Valbazen kills over several days, so it wont cause gut overload. Depending on the type of tapeworm, it is actually somewhat effective for some types. This chicken is already depleted. The Valbazen can take care of some of the problem, hopefully enough to get the chicken a bit healthier. After the initial dose of Valbazen, in 7-9 days if there are still "grains of rice" follow up with a dose of Equimax Paste.

 

[getaclue]

Enough mite, and parasite overload could easily cause similar symptoms as Mycoplasma. Even if it is Mycoplasma, the OP said the chicken was treated for it, however, the chicken isn't going to fare too well if it has these other issues too. By the same token, too much cure, too fast can do as much damage as good.

If the vet already treated for the mycoplasma, the mite situation can be cleared up. That should help things quite a bit. I'm quite surprised the vet didn't do a fecal float, and test for worms, or tell her about the mite problem.

 

[getaclue]

Ima, you said the chicken was treated with Tylan. Was it an injection? Do you mean it IS being treated, and you are continuing to administer the Tylan? IF the chicken was treated, but isn't being treated now, do both the mite, and worm treatment. IF the chicken is still being treated, hold off on worming until a day after the last dose of Tylan is given.

 

[Henriettamom919]

If the vet already treated for the mycoplasma, the mite situation can be cleared up. That should help things quite a bit. I'm quite surprised the vet didn't do a fecal float, and test for worms, or tell her about the mite problem.

This was my primary concern, too and what I trying to get at. The mite were obvious to her as were possible worms but the vet didn't notice? Makes me concerned if the poor thing is still on Tylan that it might be a problem with worming

 

[getaclue]

Henrietta, a lot depends on the vet. I'm hearing more and more about people taking their chickens to the vet, only to find out the vet doesn't really do poultry. Sadly, vets have gone the direction of human doctors, and they too now specialize. Large animal vets, small animal vets, exotic animal vets, avian vets. Just like there are too few general practitioners in many areas, so it is with all round vets. Even avian vets tend to deal more with parrots, macaws, and exotic type birds, rather than poultry. When she said the vet treated the chicken, the OP didn't say the chicken is still being treated. Yes, antibiotics can sometimes cause a few worms to be dispelled.

Thank you for bringing it to my attention about clarifying, and making it very clear that the Tylan should be finished BEFORE giving the Valbazen.

 

[Imachickenmama]

I know this all set super confusing. I got baby chicks from a poultry swap. From a "reputable breeder". I was too relaxed about quarantine. I put them with my other chicks. They were in a different section of our barn. One by one baby chicks had swollen eyes, gasping for air, a couple died. I started treating them with Tylan as I suspected Mycoplasma. They stopped dying. I only treated sick ones. Then my big girls started to get sick. I had one big one that wasn't leaving the coop and was fluffed up. She was the one I took to the vet. She was fine without treatment. Although today she's kind of doing the same. The vet said based on the whole picture it was Mycoplasma.
Everything was going fine for about a week, then this chicken Little Dilly, wouldn't come out, was falling over, her eyes are swollen and dialated. I didn't think she would make it. Treated with Tylan and she's coming around. Since we had her separated I noticed lice crawling on her. I've searched all the other chickens and have found nothing. I've been checking her poop and all of the chicken poops, this was the first I've seen. I checked all of their butts last night. She's the only one.

Ugh. 7 years of raising chickens, and I've never had to treat, or had sick chickens. I'm exhausted.

I completely got rid of hay and cleaned the entire barn yesterday. Switched it all to hemp Bedding.

 

[Henriettamom919]

I know this all set super confusing. I got baby chicks from a poultry swap. From a "reputable breeder". I was too relaxed about quarantine. I put them with my other chicks. They were in a different section of our barn. One by one baby chicks had swollen eyes, gasping for air, a couple died. I started treating them with Tylan as I suspected Mycoplasma. They stopped dying. I only treated sick ones. Then my big girls started to get sick. I had one big one that wasn't leaving the coop and was fluffed up. She was the one I took to the vet. She was fine without treatment. Although today she's kind of doing the same. The vet said based on the whole picture it was Mycoplasma.
Everything was going fine for about a week, then this chicken Little Dilly, wouldn't come out, was falling over, her eyes are swollen and dialated. I didn't think she would make it. Treated with Tylan and she's coming around. Since we had her separated I noticed lice crawling on her. I've searched all the other chickens and have found nothing. I've been checking her poop and all of the chicken poops, this was the first I've seen. I checked all of their butts last night. She's the only one.

Ugh. 7 years of raising chickens, and I've never had to treat, or had sick chickens. I'm exhausted.

I completely got rid of hay and cleaned the entire barn yesterday. Switched it all to hemp Bedding.

You've been keeping chickens far longer than me but if one has lice I'd treat her, her flock mates and the coop with permethrin.

I had to do some deep cleaning today because I'm worming this weekend so removing all shavings, raking and treating soil with boric acid all in the middle of torrential rain and thunderstorms

This chicken keeping is not for the lazy!

I'm sorry for your sick babies and hope you and them can get some rest soon!

 

[Eggcessive]

It is fairly easy to see tapeworms in the poop if we see a picture in focus. If tapeworms are suspected, I would also use a product with praziquantel such as Equimax for treatment. Valbazen can help with some species if it is given over several days. Equimax horse paste is sold at most feed stores. Dosage is 0.03ml per pound given once and again in 10 days. For 5 pound chicken, that is 0.15 mg.
Here is a video of what to look for: