Used Omlet outdoor rabbit run Width 2.2m Height 2.05m Length 3.1m vgc.

[Egghead68]

My chickens have had 5 courses of antibiotics in the last 2 months (baytril, double strength tylan x 2, denegard, injectable tylan) to try to cure diarrhoea and an upper respiratory tract infection ( thought to be brachyspira & poss mycoplasma). They have also had anti fungals and probiotics to undo any damage from the antibiotics. They are still no better so I sent throat swabs off to Retfords who said that they now have moderate levels of e coli outside the gut and need another antibiotic such as Baytril.

 

My question is whether giving them a sixth course of antibiotics will do more good than harm or whether I should just step up the probiotics and hope this helps the e coli die down. Any opinions/suggestions would be very helpful.

[Chucky Mama]

I personally would go with the antibiotics. You should be able to give the probiotics at the same time unless Retfords specifically say not to. A good tonic to boost general health would be good - lifeguard for example (again check this with Retfords first).

[Egghead68]

Will do. Thanks very much, Chucky Mama.

[bevmatt]

Could also try sanitising the ground that they peck on to help control the bacteria. My friend swears by a product which is like Garden Lime = someone on another post has been talking about it as well so I am going to get more details from my friend to post on here to help.

[sandyhas3chucks]

Stalofan F

[Egghead68]

Thanks - good idea. I do use Stalosan F but haven't done it for a few weeks.

 

Rant: Sometimes I really wish I didn't have a vet as then could just get the prescriptions and meds from Retfords. As I have a vet there is no end of hassle and delay with waiting for the report to be typed up and faxed over to my vet before my vet will prescribe (and my vet won't give permission for Retfords to prescribe because they want the money). My vet's meds are also much more expensive than Retfords. End of rant!

[Daphne]

I thought you can just approach Retfords directly as a member of the public? If so, surely you're not duty bound to go via your vet. Many people buy non-prescription meds from the internet for all manner of animals because its cheaper than the vet.

[Egghead68]

You can but Retfords won't supply meds, if you have a vet, without your vet's written permission. My vet won't give permission as they want to prescribe and supply meds themselves (big mark-ups). Obviously I understand why they have to do it but it is a pain, tbh.

[Daphne]

I can see that I bet a high % of people who use Retfords have a vet. I wonder if everyone just puts up with it, or knows about it and so lies and goes direct without mentioning the vet, or if you've got a particularly tough vet. I've not heard about it as a problem before.

[sandyhas3chucks]

change your vet?

Speak to Retfords see if they can make a suggestion. ?

[Egghead68]

Thanks Sandy - may change vet. Hope your chickens are over their brachyspira - over two months in here and fed up of it!

[Egghead68]

Well 6 days of Baytril has made no difference to their symptoms. Don't know what else I can do now except cross my fingers and leave them to it (and keep the sanitation/Avipro/tonic up and watch like a hawk for peritonitis).

[sandyhas3chucks]

ok..

righ...

it is my understanding from others Libby and personal experience, that this brachysprira,

1... Only responds to denegard

2... Is a swine to get rid of..

3.... Invariable needs one week off with probiotic then another course of up to 12 days

 

Ans STILL might return

This current warm/damp/cold is really awful for cooking up all sorts of nastys!

 

I use Oregostim when there is no treatments this really helps, some googling it might help you decide if you want to try it.

Also my vet says baytril at least 14 days for hard to shift things , also said till symptoms go + 2 days more??

AND there are many things that don't respond to Baytril..

good luck

[Egghead68]

Thanks very much Sandy. This is really helpful. I'll give them some time off on Avipro then start again with the Denegard. I'll also get some Oregostim so all bases covered.

[Daphne]

Its really useful you've both posted about these sorts of infections. Most of us don't get Retfords to sample, so we don't find out about this sort of thing, but I bet they are reasonably usual problems. It all helps to build a knowledge base which hopefully we'll never need to use! Thank for taking the time