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Hi Dr. Pat, I followed your advice and took the hen into a local vet who prescribed BAYRIL INJECTABLE 22.7 mg/ml. (He said she either had Maercks or a bacterial infection..I guess it was the later, since she survived..her prognosis was pretty bad). I gave her injections twice a day for five days and she did get much better and I put her back outside with the flock. But she is still very slow and has no energy and her comb is not bright red, but is spotty with white and looks dried out. She stays away from the other chickens and in a corner a lot...is that because she lost her place in the pecking order? Is there anything else I can do? I really like this chicken, but I've already spent $200 on vet bill and c/n afford any more. Should I resume the antibiotics? Can I purchase the BAYTRIL on the internet? Thanks for what help you can give.
Optional Information: Type of Animal: Chicken Gender: Hen Age: 6 months Name of Bird: Two Spots Already Tried: Baytril Injectable twice a day for 5 days...off medicine for about a week now.
Greetings, I am Dr. Pat. I have worked with birds for many years. I will do my best to help you.Call your vet and see if they will refill the the baytril. Check the feedstore and see if they have an oral formulation. It may be available online as well.You cannot rule out Marek's, it is immuno suppressive and sometimes antibiotics help them feel better.
Experience: 25+ years working primarily or exclusively with birds
Should I isolate her again?
Only if she needs to be brought inside or if they pick on her.
So if it is Mareks, what will happen?Can she survive it?Will she always be weak and subject to infection/sickness?
Possibly will be weak and immuno suppressed.There are inexpensive tests for Mareks.It may simply be an infection that is resistant to Baytril. We test almost all birds and poultry, and in our area bacteria are resistant to baytril. I use human antibiotics such as Zosyn and Amikacin. Talk to your vet about this.