| Guide | Treatment of coccidiosis |
| Target Group | Corvids |
| Author | info@corvidlove.com |
| Version | 2022-05-12 |
| NOTE: In all my guides, I start from a situation where a rehabilitator takes his responsibility to take care of the animals in an ethically correct way. You should always try to minimize stress for the bird and since the birds, just like humans, are not the same, it can mean that you handle a problem in different ways by being creative! If I see different ways of doing the same thing, I try to write it down in my guides, but it is always up to the rehabilitator to take their own responsibility. I do not have to write “I recommend putting the bird down” or “contact a veterinarian” or “according to law, you should …” because I start from the situation where you do the best for the bird and that you as a rehabilitator have learned to draw the line so that you do not end up in an unwanted or illegal situation. There may be an eternal battle between what you want and what is best for the bird. There are also many factors where a similar situation can give different results. For example: access to a veterinarian, lack of time, lack of knowledge and previous experience can include cause large differences in the treatment and decision-making process and indirectly also the end result. Knowledge of basic things can make a huge difference in the stress level of the crow. For example. avoid anything that is black or checkered. They do not like it instinctively and it creates stress when they see that you are dealing with something that is black. I put energy into my guides to make it easier for a rehabilitator to find information and to spread knowledge. Do you see a way to improve my guides or do you see a mistake or do you want to add something, feel free to inform me! If you are worried about doing something because it is new, ask other rehabilitators or a veterinarian for help. The guides are continuously updated, so make sure to always download the latest version from www.corvidlove.com |
This guide describes what to do with birds that have been given coccidiosis
What are coccidiosis and coccidia ??
Coccidia are unicellular microscopic parasites (protozoa) that multiply in the hosts intestines. There are also coccidia that attack other organs. Coccidia in birds are species-specific, ie they are not transmitted between different bird species.
Infection with coccidia can result in the disease coccidiosis. When coccidia multiply in the intestinal mucosa, tissue damage occurs to varying degrees depending on the severity of the attack and the species of coccidia that has infected the birds.
In other words … Coccidiosis = the disease, coccidia = the cause
Cause and spread
Birds develop natural resistance (immunity) during their upbringing to the various coccidia species found in their immediate environment.
Immunity to a coccidia species, however, does not produce protection against the other species, therefore a bird must encounter and develop immunity to each coccidia species separately. Immunity develops gradually during growth by the birds being infected by a small number of coccidia repeatedly. Immunity is usually lifelong because the animals regularly encounter coccidia in their immediate environment, which stimulates the immune system. In an animal environment that is free of coccidia, immunity will not develop.
Survival rate
Birds in the crow family have great chances of surviving the disease without care (in the wild)
Should a bird be visibly ill / dying, it can be treated with the help of so-called Coccidiostats. There are Coccidiostats in tablet form such as Harkers Coxitabs, but it is an unusual method of treatment. Treatment for acute coccidiosis usually takes place with medication via the drinking water.
Of course, you do not treat if you are unsure whether the crow has coccidiosis!
Symptoms:
Blood in the stool, extreme fatigue, weight loss, “not lying nicely” feathers, not interested in food, diarrhea, diarrhea with blood in.
Medicine and dosage:
Amprolium (Harkers Coxoid, Cocci-Tricho, A-Cox) – over-the-counter
or Baycoxine know 50mg / ml – only via veterinarian!
(Dosage info can be found on this website.)
NOTE: if a bird is suddenly close to death due to coccidiosis, it is good to give half a dose of medicine via water. The liver has to fight hard to get rid of the remnants of the dead parasites. It may be that the bird goes from a patient who looks like it could die at any time to a lively and happy bird within 24 hours after treatment!
NOTE: Birds that have received coccidiosis are recommended to be given antibiotics ( Baytril / Enrofloxacin). The reason is that the immune system has been weakened and various bad bacteria have had the chance to grow. It is a common misconception that you should not give probiotics while giving antibiotics, but it is recommended to give probiotics to birds as well! Google “Versele Laga Probi-Zyme” to get the best one!
How do you know if it’s Coccidios?
Coccidiosis is easily detected using a microscope. Here is the guide: How to identify parasites (microscope) – We love corvids (rooks, crows, jackdaws, ravens) (corvidlove.com)
Prevention:
If it’s about birds in the wild, we can not prevent at all.
If it’s about birds that receive care, it is possible to prevent that one infects the other by keeping the infected bird in another room. coccidia do not spread via the air or via external parasites (mosquitoes, mites, ..) so it is enough to keep the bird separate until there are no traces of coccidia left in the faeces.
Other info:
What cures coccidiosis is the active substance “Diclazuril” . Diclazuril is a coccidiostat.
You can buy diclazuril products without a prescription online.
Search for the word “Harkers coxitabs” and “apper-tab”
Make sure that you only buy products within the EU from companies (not private individuals), in order to avoid problems with customs.
Sources:
- will come later.