moomin Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Hi all Sorry for posting on here but I thought I may get more replies than on the clinic as I'm really worried. For the past 5 - 6 days Skye has had very bad diarrhoea, just white liquid with hardly any brown in it. She is perky in herself and eating a bit (though not as greedy as she was as she's come off lay). She is also moulting. I have asked the advice of a vet who sold me one sachet of powder which is like diorolite you can get when you are dehydrated (has these things in it called 'Electrolytes'). They had this yesterday but it hasn't helped. They are both on a strict diet of pellets and water and I have ordered some Avipro. My question is, how long should I leave it before actually taking her to the vet? They are both very tame but they don't like being picked up and to cart her off to the vet in a box will probably freak her out! (I am actually more worried about this than the cost) Any examinations I do are normally when they are walking on my lap with their beaks in a bowl of mealworms!! Sorry for long post, can anyone offer advice please? I have checked and the vets are open all weekend if she goes down hill. They said that even if there is no chicken specialist on duty they will be able to make a phonecall to a guy that deals with the farm animal side of the practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Oh dear, sorry to hear Skye is poorly. Avipro is very good as a "pick me up" so it might help when it arrives, although to make her have diarrhoea like that there might be something else wrong im sorry but I dont know what. If it were me I would take her to the vets (just in case) as otherwise you know what happens......you'll end up having to try and get an appointment over the christmas break (that's what would happen to me anyway ). Up to you though, and let us know how she goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 it might not be peritonitis but when my girls had peritonitis they were doing poos the same as you describe. If it was me, I'd get her to a vet who knows about chickens asap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted December 19, 2008 Author Share Posted December 19, 2008 Hi Chelsea & Poet Thanks for your quick replies. I've decided to see how she goes today and make an appointment for later tonight so that I can take her when she's sleepy. The Avipro came this morning, I have dosed the water up with that. She gradually stopped laying about three weeks ago, she's a Cochin and so I was assuming that it was due to the shorter days. Could it still be egg peritonitis in light of the fact that she's stopped laying, is that one of the symptoms, Poet? Thanks again, will let you know how we go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Sounds like you're on the right path with the treatment, try the following and take her to the vet if symptoms persist beyond 2 days. If you can take along a reasonably fresh poo sample then that will help them make their diagnosis. Feed only on pellets with Bokashi Bran and water, no treats, veggies or fruit. Add live probiotic yoghurt to their feed once a day (makes a nice porridge with the bran) Add Apple Cider Vinegar to the water.. just a dab, and the 'live' one from horse feed suppliers is better than the one from the supermarket. Good luck and let us know how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 When was she last wormed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted December 19, 2008 Author Share Posted December 19, 2008 Thanks for your help Claret and Egluntine. My chooks were wormed 2 months ago and I have tried the yoghurt and ACV and stuff, I give it to them on a regular basis. And Poultry spice - sometimes I think I am overdoing it with the supplements! The vet has made a diagnosis over the phone by the desciption of the poo which so far is the only symptom, he thinks she is suffering from the early stages of Coccidiosis. Apparently young birds are succeptible to it, especially if they are stressed (i.e. birds that are moulting - as she is). If it carries on without treatment they can become hunched and depressed and will eventually die. I googled it and it's a Parasitic organism that nearly all wild birds carry. I introduced 2 wild bird feeders into my garden a month ago - I got them for my birthday - the chooks are always scrabbling about underneath looking for the seeds that the birds have dropped. What can also make chooks even more succeptible to catching it is living on damp litter. I have a constant battle in my run with this with all the rain we have - the run is slabbed and the damp soaks up through the cracks in the paving slabs. So I have removed the bird feeders and have to deal asap with the damp problem - perhaps by putting a damp-proof membrane underneath the slabs. Anyway feel like a really bad chicken-mum now. They have to have a course of Baycox in their water for 5 days and the vet said continue with the Avipro which is excellent stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Im sure she will be fine, you've caught it early and with all the other supplements you give her im sure she's going to be really fit to fight it off. Dont feel bad, and I dont think for one minute your'e a bad chicken mum...I've seen your run and eglu and it always looks pristine in photos. I reckon the bedding has to be really wet and dirty and smelly for hens to catch it from that. I think more than likely if she does have coccidoicis its from the wild birds than the wet bedding. Keep us posted on her progress . x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted December 19, 2008 Author Share Posted December 19, 2008 Thanks Chelsea. It seems funny that she's got ill within just a short time of me hanging up the bird feeders, they (wild birds) took a couple of weeks to find the feeders but since then have been going mad, I've even been feeding them live mealworms, and the chickens have been happily scratching about underneath, no doubt in the wild bird poo!! I just didn't see it as a threat! Anyway we all learn by our mistakes. I love watching the birds feed but I love my chickens more. Hopefully they will find food in one of the other gardens, of someone who doesn't keep chickens! I've ordered a huge tub of Stalosan to disinfect the run - it's supposed to get rid of the coccidia organisms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Stalosan is fab, not only does it aid with prevention of disease it will also help with the wetness underneath and makes it smell a bit nicer. I suppose there's never a way to completely eradicate wild birds from anyone's garden is there? Dont feel bad, its just one of those things! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted December 19, 2008 Author Share Posted December 19, 2008 I have used Stalosan before, but had run out and been meaning to order some I know I can't eradicate the birds altogether but I can certainly stop attracting them, there were millions there this morning feeding - I felt like the Birdwoman of Alcatraz!! I shall miss the little Robin though - he was cute! It may not have even been the birds that caused it but I can't take any chances! I'm thinking about using a floor covering in the run which is less absorbant than Aubiose, perhaps woodchip instead. The auboise just seems to suck up all the water through the cracks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 It's up to you Ros - I wouldn't use woodchip myself - it'll get into one big sog with all the wet around. Cocci is one of those things like Mareks - it's always around, even with the best of hygiene, so don't be hard on yourself. It really only strikes on a bird that is poorly for some other reason. I lost a girl to it some years back - she was old and her immune system was low after moulting. Coxoid will help though as will citricidal in the water as it's anti-bacterial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Am glad you have got to the bottom of it and there is a lesson for us all there. We all love to see the wild birds in the garden, but they do pose health risks of one sort or another to out hens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted December 20, 2008 Author Share Posted December 20, 2008 Thanks both Will stick with the auboise then. Plan for today is to clean the run out (will try and get some Stalosan locally but have ordered an 8kg tub!). And start the medication. Long term I need to try to put some sort of damp proof membrane under the slabs but that will involve taking the run up so is probably a job for the Spring. OH is recovering from 'flu at the moment so was not best pleased when I suggested this yesterday! This was his face - Plod on eh? Who thought chicken keeping would be easy? I just want my girl to get better and be back to her normal cheeky, greedy, thick-as-two-planks self! Yesterday in the afternoon she started to look a bit sorry for herself and was not eating much so I think it's starting to kick in as you know it affects the intestine. Thanks again for the support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted December 20, 2008 Author Share Posted December 20, 2008 Just an update on Skye.... She is looking a bit sorry for herself today but is eating a bit and has drunk some of the medicated water with the Baycox in. I've been watching her all day. She still has the diarrhoea although not as viciously but no solid poos yet She looks kind of droopy. Hope I've still got her in the morning. I'm going to take a poo sample to the vets for a lab test - costs 15 - 20 quid and will tell us if we're on the right track with the treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Good call on the fecal sample - that's how my girl who had cocci was diagnosed. If you can't get hold of Stalosan, then Bio-dry(sp?) is very similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted December 21, 2008 Author Share Posted December 21, 2008 Thanks claret, I'm just off to get one now. But it's like watching a kettle boil, when you want them to poo - they don't!! She seems quite perky this morning (I was dreading opening the eglu door), but isn't eating much and her crop is still full too which isn't good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 Have just brought Skye back from ANOTHER vet as the original vet referred her 'cos they couldn't see anything parasitic, (i.e. Coccidia, worms etc) in her poo sample. This vet is an avian specialist, he did a poo analisys on the spot and again couldn't see anything, so thinks it could be a bacterial infection, possibly to do with her kidneys - or a tumour She was so good on the table, just stood there and let me stroke her, chatting away to me and pecking my hair! She was so laid back she almost had her wings crossed! Didn't like the injections though, she's had some antibiotics, and some fluid injected under her skin to re-hydrate her, plus some electrolytes flushed in through her beak into her tummy. We have to go back tomorrow for some more. Husband isn't talking to me because of the cost (we've just had our poor old moggie put to sleep after a long course of treatment), so I have told him it can be my Christmas present. Will be the best present I've ever had if she lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Sounds like you have a good vet . Fingers crossed that she pulls through . It would be so sad if you lost her after all this . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 oh no, I thought she would be fully recovered by now, sorry to hear she isnt yet fully recovered. I suppose its good in a way they havent found anything nasty in her poos.... Praying its just a minor bacterial infection... she really is a beautiful chook so I can understand fully why you are not worried about the cost. keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 Thanks, I hope she'll be OK, and if she isn't at least I've done the best I can for her. She's a special girl, she was so brave today Thanks for your kind thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 24, 2008 Share Posted December 24, 2008 You're doing your best Moomin; keep getting fluids into her and anything dry that she'll take. Finger crossed for the little one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted December 24, 2008 Share Posted December 24, 2008 Stalosan is fab, not only does it aid with prevention of disease it will also help with the wetness underneath and makes it smell a bit nicer. I suppose there's never a way to completely eradicate wild birds from anyone's garden is there? Dont feel bad, its just one of those things! i sprinkle it over librally under & around my wild bird feeder at night as often as I remember. weekly maybe. just incase! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted December 24, 2008 Share Posted December 24, 2008 Have just brought Skye back from ANOTHER vet as the original vet referred her 'cos they couldn't see anything parasitic, (i.e. Coccidia, worms etc) in her poo sample. This vet is an avian specialist, he did a poo analisys on the spot and again couldn't see anything, so thinks it could be a bacterial infection, possibly to do with her kidneys - or a tumour She was so good on the table, just stood there and let me stroke her, chatting away to me and pecking my hair! She was so laid back she almost had her wings crossed! Didn't like the injections though, she's had some antibiotics, and some fluid injected under her skin to re-hydrate her, plus some electrolytes flushed in through her beak into her tummy. We have to go back tomorrow for some more. Husband isn't talking to me because of the cost (we've just had our poor old moggie put to sleep after a long course of treatment), so I have told him it can be my Christmas present. Will be the best present I've ever had if she lives. good luck, try the weetabix thing if she's eating now, might help her kidneys?And if you have time before they shut some ofd that Feed un high calorie paste from pets at home. in the mean time you are doing all you can, she might perk up now she had that from the vet... thinking of you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted December 24, 2008 Author Share Posted December 24, 2008 I tried to get the fluids into her this morning, was a 6 inch tube that the vet had given me to connect to the syringe and the idea is that it bypasses her crop and gets to her stomach, antibiotics and re-hydration fluid. But I couldn't do it! Got her between my knees like the vet suggested and she legged it! 3 times we tried and she was getting stressed and I was getting stressed and then I had to leave for work. Luckily I finished at 1 so I took her back to the vets and he administered the medicine Not ideal I feel a bit of a failure and of course more money! This aft I let them out for a free range and she was pecking around and when I went to get them in Bobbie came running to the treat bowl and Skye just stood and stared! It's like she is kind of spaced out - she normally comes running like a little kid she is such a greedy girl. I think it's all the drugs she's on, I had to herd her in in the end. But she's still going at the moment I went out to close the Eglu door and gave them both a stroke, she spoke to me with that lovely little chooky sound they make when they are sleepy. So there's hope yet. Thanks for listening, Merry Christmas all you lovely peeps from our forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
