I think I'm overdosing my hen on antibiotics

[Country4ever]

Several years ago, when I had some sort of problem with a couple of my hens, I took them to an avian specialist, and he prescribed 22.7mg of Baytril twice a day. After I decided to take care of my chickens myself, I continued to give that dose if there was an infection problem.
Recently, a coon got into my run and killed 2 hens, and tore the skin off the back of another one. I have her in the house and have been giving her the 22.7mg baytril twice a day. Even though her wound is okay, she's pretty much stopped eating and has diarrhea. I am giving her probiotics.
After doing a search here for baytril dosage, it seems as though I am really overdosing her. I'm guessing her weight is between 3-4 pounds. At 10mg/kg, I'm thinking she's getting 2-3 times the correct dosage. 3.5# would be a little over 1.5kg. The dose should be about 15mg of Baytril, and I've been giving about 45mg in 2 divided doses.
I guess I just continued to give it the way the vet said to in the past. The hens aren't that much different in weight.
Am I correct in thinking that I've been overdosing her?
If I go down to the 15mg a day......should I give it in divided doses?
Thanks for your help,

 

[spook]

Very good question. I think you should listen to your gut, I don't know anything about antibiotics, but I do know that (Not in your case) often giving to much antibiotic can create a immunity. So if at some point one of these antibiotics don't work or seems slow to work, I'd change the antibiotics.
Good luck and good wishes for your girl! I just took a coon off the preditor list

 

[HennysMom]

You said this vet was an avian specialist?

Are you using the same antibiotics that were given to you from a few years ago when you took your birds in? That could be creating an issue as well - antibiotics do not maintain their shelf-life as other drugs do, they break down much more easily and giving expired ones can cause more harm than the actual issue at hand.

You can look up some of the antibiotics listed on the site and go from there. So many antibiotics are used for specific things while others should be avoided - they really are bacteria specific.

Good luck and I hope your bird recovers

 

[Mourningdove]

Not trying to hyjack here but here's a tip for those who don't know...
I have had a medical doctor and a dentist both tell me that with antibiotics and pain meds that if you store unused pills in the freezer it will help preserve them alot longer! Just my input

 

[purpletree23]

Baytril is not recommended for chickens that are going to be used as meat or for eggs. It is usually given to domesticated exotic birds. If I were you I would consult another vet.

 

[rancher hicks]

Whoa, this is an excellant post. Wouldn't anti-biotics eventually leave their system like they do peoples? I only ask cause I've been givning a chicken amoxilcillian. I had a cat with an infection so I figured what the heck. Otherwise I'd just have to cull her so what did I have to lose. I've stopped now though. Thanks to the OP for asking, I assume it would be the same with all anitbiotics? So whatever's good for the OP would be good for me?

 

[Judy]

If it were me, I would stop the Baytril and stay with the probiotics. If the wound is OK, what are you treating?

If you're going to continue the Baytril, I would drop the dose as you described, and yes, give it in divided doses.

I find it a bit frightening how many on here give antibiotics with no tests to know which one they need or whether they need any.

 

[Country4ever]

Thanks everyone,

No, these are new pills.
This hen had a large area of skin ripped off her back......about 3"x2", with several smaller gashes. Baytril is a good broad spectrum AB.
The avian vet is too expensive to run my chickens to her everytime, so I've learned to take care of them myself.
I'm just asking pretty much here about the dosage.
I think I'll cut it in half, and give that dose in 2 doses.
Her huge wound hasn't gotten infected, but still no signs of healing......but the attack was only 4 days ago.
Hopefully as I back down on the dose, her appetite will be pick. Nutrition is important too.