Freaking out. Is marek's contagious to parrots?

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Eme

Eme

In the Brooder
9 Years
Jul 13, 2010
31
0
32
Vancouver
So if anyone has been following my other thread, you'd know that I'm dealing with a suddenly paralyzed chicken. We had him downstairs in a washroom until yesterday, we moved him upstairs because of a holiday dinner with a bunch of people and we needed the downstairs washroom. So it completely slipped my mind that it might be contagious to other birds, and across the very small hall I keep my two parrotlets. Now I'm freaking out, and also not at home until tomorrow, and although people are at home to feed him, noone is able to move him downstairs tonight. Does anyone know if it is transmittable to parrots?? I really hope it isn't. I'm terrified now and stuck elsewhere. If my parrots catch it I will be heartbroken.
 
Here is a link to the Merck Manual, which describes chickens as the most important natural host of Marek's, with infections also occurring in turkeys and quail. It makes the statement that other birds and mammals appear to be refractory to the disease or infection. Perhaps wild birds are just carriers?? IDK. As ddawn pointed out, perhaps the species of parrot makes a difference and you may want to read further about your particular breed of parrot. I'm still hoping your parrot will be safe.
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/203602.htm&word=marek's,disease
 
Thanks for the links and the information. I took my rooster to the vet and ended up putting him down. I asked her if it was contagious to my parrotlets and she had no idea. She is doing some research and hopefully will give me a definite answer in the next couple of days. I will update you all when I know.

My species of parrot is the pacific parrotlet. I couldn't find anything about the specific species and marek's, so hopefully it will all be ok.
 
Quote:
One of the things you may want to research is if its contagious to New World parrots. Your Pacific Parrotlet is a New World Parrot.

Sometimes diseases follow New/Old World groups. I've never heard of a parrot getting Mareks and I've been in the parrot world for 31 years but I would definitely be careful.

Laurie
 
Thank you. So the vet called me back and says it appears its not contagious to parrots, and it may, but probably won't be contagious to my pheasants as well. So that's at least a bit of good news today.

Thank you all again for your help.
 
Is there any way to eliminate Marek's? I just put down another beautiful Silkie hen..one of my chicks from this summer. It's horrible to watch how frightened they get from the paralysis and inability to control themselves. I hope the rest remain resistant or immune or whatever it may be.
 

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