Age limit for sulfadimethoxine (Albon)?

[Landerb]

Our vet ran a fecal test on our 6 month old chicken & found cocci. He prescribed albon, but she really seems to hate it and since starting it, she’s stopped eating at all, has developed head twitches, and is closing her eyes more. Otherwise, her condition remains the same (lethargic, unable to stand, not eating or drinking much on her own). So, in essence, she seems to be getting worse since starting the medication, but idk if that’s just a coincidence or not.

When I was researching the medication to see if I should be supplementing with an antibiotic and/or probiotics, I came across several info sheets saying not to administer to chickens over 16 weeks... can anyone confirm if that’s true? The vet knows her age, so idk why he’d prescribe it to her if it is, but he’s not a full time chicken doctor so maybe he didn’t know?

 

[Eggcessive]

I think the reason for the warning not to give over 16 weeks of age, is that it has been used to prevent certain diseases, but you don’t want to give it while they are actively laying eggs. But if she has a disease that needs treating, I would use it, but toss out the eggs for a reasonable time after treatment.


I am not familiar with Albon dosage, so how has the vet prescribed giving it? Is it in the water or is it given orally? Why can’t she stand? Is she having weakness in either leg or wing, or having balance issues? It is possible that coccidiosis is not the only problem she has, and that is why she is getting worse. Was she vaccinated for Mareks disease or having symptoms of a crop or reproductive problem?

Corid from the feed store in the US is a common medication for treatment of coccidiosis. You could try that if she doesn’t tolerate the Albon, but some strains of coccidia can develop resistance to Corid. Dosage is 2 tsp of Corid liquid, or 1.5 tsp of Corid powder per gallon of water for 5-7 days.

 

[Landerb]

The vet prescribed 1ml mixed with 100ml water per day for 6 days. She won’t drink on her own so I’ve been giving it to her via syringe.

She was lethargic on Sunday, so we isolated her. As of Monday night she was displayed all the symptoms of being egg bound, so I tried all of the recommended treatments but never able to feel the egg or give her relief. Tuesday morning she was sitting super weird—like her back end was too heavy— and wouldn’t move on her own, so I took her to the vet. He didn’t feel an egg either and said she wasn’t eggbound but was probably just worn out from egg laying (she laid her first three over the weekend, the last having a soft shell), calcium deficient, and had a bug of some sort. He prescribed speclinx-50. She didn’t poop at all on Tuesday, despite eating some scrambled eggs and layer pellets.

Wednesday morning she laid a soft-ish egg and pooped for the first time since 6pm on Monday, but by then I had already made an appt with a different vet out of concern for her lack of pooping. She still couldn’t sit upright or stand on her own & was starting to pant intermittently, so I had my bf keep the vet appt. when he brought her in, he also brought the poop and egg. The vet examined her poop and said she had “a lot” of cocci, so he prescribed albon.

It’s definitely possible she has multiple issues going on. Her symptoms make me think it’s neurological, but the vet told my bf chickens will twitch sometimes when they’re sick, so he shouldn’t be too worried. We had a lot of rain, so I’m worried about botulism, but I’m scared to put her through a flush bc it sounds like it’s pretty hard on them & she’s already so weak.

We gave our flock of 7 a round corid treatment mid December bc we had a lot of issues with it when they were chicks & we’re half convinced there’s something wrong with the soil in the backyard of the house we rent.

 

[Eggcessive]

I also would not do a flush. Botulism is very dramatic and swift, causing flaccid paralysis, starting at the feet, then legs, wings, neck and eyelids going up the spinal cord.

It sounds like she has a reproductive problem, such as impacted oviduct and possibly becoming egg bound with shell-less eggs which are more difficult to pass. Not passing droppings can be a sign of being eggbound. Are you giving her calcium each day? 1/2 calcium tablet or Tums given orally can help her pass eggs along with helping to firm up shells.

Her not being able to stand could be due to weakness, egg binding, or the coccidiosis. But Mareks disease or an injury sometimes could be a cause of lameness. Hopefully, she will get better. I would offer her Corid water often with a scoop or small cup. Feed can be moistened with it as well.

 

[Landerb]

She has had some very white, watery poops-1 or 2 a day.

Update: Her head twitching has decreased (I’m starting to wonder if it’s the albon) but now she seems to have trouble keeping her eyes open and swallowing. I’ve used a dropper to give her water, oatmeal mush and molasses and often it just sits in her mouth or dribbles out. I’m worried about asphyxiation, so I’m not giving her much. Is there anyway to give her sustenance through an IV or something? I don’t want her to get dehydrated.

 

[Eggcessive]

You can learn to tube feed her. Fluids are easily given, and you can also use KayTee baby bird feed 2-3 times a day. Here is some info:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ng-guide-pictures-under-construction.1064392/