Vent Gleet--Treatments?

[Blue_Myst]

Long story short, I think I have two hens who have mild vent gleet. They've both stopped laying, have slightly swollen abdomens, messy feathers on their bum fluff and loose stools. Both hens are 2 1/2 years old, and I know I need to deal with this now since I recently got a rooster and I see no reason why he can't spread the yeast infection from hen to hen.

Does anyone have ideas for treatment of vent gleet? I've done reading, but I'd love to hear treatments that have worked well for other people.

I know I've taken Tanalbit (Tannin formula) for yeast infections and it's worked well--is this safe to give to chickens? I have some on hand and can start treatment right away if this is okay.

Thank you for any and all advice!

I've all ready been giving them vinegar in their water, and that's probably why they haven't been extremely sick yet.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
Here's a link to vent gleet:
http://ultimatefowl.atwiki.com/page/Vent Gleet
Use copper sulfate as follow up treatment after flushing. Dosage is 1/8 teaspoon per gallon of water for 3 days once a month to control it. Then follow up with probiotics.

 

[Blue_Myst]

Quote:
Here's a link to vent gleet:
http://ultimatefowl.atwiki.com/page/Vent Gleet
Use copper sulfate as follow up treatment after flushing. Dosage is 1/8 teaspoon per gallon of water for 3 days once a month to control it. Then follow up with probiotics.

Thanks for the link, dawg, it was very informative! Would it be a good idea to give the copper sulfate to my whole flock are just the affected birds? Is there an egg withdrawal period?

 

[dawg53]

I would treat the whole flock. Vent gleet can be contagious. It is bad bacteria expelled in fecal matter which could be picked up by another chicken. This is why probiotics should be given to get the gut bacteria back in balance. I recommend buttermilk mixed in feed rather than yogurt. You can also use nystatin to treat vent gleet rather than copper sulfate. I havnt found anything regarding withdrawal for copper sulfate, but I suspect there is a withdrawal period....same with nystatin. You might want to try googling withdrawal times for either product. You might have better luck than I did. I dont have it in any of my references neither. Sorry.

 

[Blue_Myst]

I think I'll give the Nystatin a shot. It looks like it's only available by prescription, but can be bought in a powdered form (Medistatin) without one. I just have to make sure I can mix it with water for accurate dosage. I haven't looked up egg withdrawal times but it is sold for smaller birds like finches so I can't imagine you can never use the eggs again.

I was all ready to order the copper sulfate, considering it's cheap and apparently works well, but the safety data sheet turned me off.

I'll use it if I have to, but hopefully the medistatin will do the trick.

I'll look into the buttermilk--I'm getting low on yogurt anyway, so I'll see if I can pick both up.

Thanks for all your help! I really appreciate it.

 

[ChooksChick]

Quote:
How has this worked?