The Poultry Keeper

Lisa · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:11 am Post subject: very watery diarrhea - any ideas?

I have a Rhode Island Red, Lara, that has now got very watery diarrhea. Looks normal poop colour, but is just very, very watery I'm convinced none of the others have this problem - they all tend to perch in the same place so I know the streak marks are where Lara perches, and I've watched them a lot in the run and its only her.

I got her at the same time and from the same place as the other RIR I had (Ninja) which died from a tumour in her digestive system recently. Lara hasn't laid any eggs since Autumn either (a symptom of Ninja's) but her abdomen hasn't swollen up like Ninja's did.

Otherwise she seems fine - except maybe her comb is a bit paler than the other chooks, but I put that down to them laying, and Lara not.

She's about 2 years old and they have been wormed.

As she was most likely related to the one that died I kinda suspect she may be going the same way, but just don't want to miss anything else...

Any ideas what else it could be?

Ta,
Lisa

nigel · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:04 am Post subject:

any chance she just ate something that disagreed with her?

my first thoughts would be mild stomach upset and probably go with something like pro-biotic yoghurt, and see what happens from there.

Did Ninja start with these symptoms?

Lisa · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:33 pm Post subject:

Good idea to try first. They all got a small bowl to share this afternoon Rolling Eyes

and all my yogurt splattered chooks say "thank you Nigel"!! Laughing

Ninja had the swollen belly first, got the runs near the end... so it may not be the same thing.

nigel · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 3:42 pm Post subject:

Lisa

How's Lara doing?

Lisa · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 8:38 pm Post subject:

The vet said Lara's abdomen felt normal, with no internal lumps that she could feel. And her breathing and heart sounded fine. So that all put my mind to rest Smile

She suggested carrying on for a few days with the bio yogurt and also worming her again just incase. If no change (or change for worse) bring her back.

She did say I could have some antibiotics if I wanted, but she was happy to wait see if it cleared up on its own as there were no other symptoms - so that's what we'll do.

Fingers crossed - and better go make some more yogurt quick Laughing

stephen · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 9:47 pm Post subject:

If she takes antibiotics with the live yoghurt you may as well not give her the live yoghurt, as the antibiotics would kill the flora in the live yoghurt, as well as any infection in her.

Lisa · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:08 am Post subject:

No, no, it was an either or. Sorry, didn't make that clear.

And we went for the yogurt option, and I think it (or time) is working Smile