Marek's Disease is such an insidious infection. The "limp" with no injury, is the most commont first symptom--then wing droops on same side--then both legs and wings, going down and unable to manuver, and usually death. There is no pain, just a gradual paralysis. If they can reach food and water, they will continue to eat/drink. Paralysis of throat means starving or from lack of water. Poor birds have no idea what is wrong and can quietly, painlessly die.
Other "sudden death" from Marek's, may show tumors in the nervious tissue with necropsy, sometimes external tumors. There are lots of websites giving information. It is a worldwide long-lived virus. There is no treatment and no cure. Most birds die--just days, sometimes weeks. Your treatment is not a cure. Some recover (few) from symptoms and can walk, roost, breed, lay eggs, and appear "cured" , back to normal.....WARNING, they are forever carriers of the virus, which is spread by dander of the infected birds. So all birds are exposed in the pen/house/even by your dusty clothing. Marek's is not carried in the eggs, so eggs hatched from infected or "recovered" birds is not spread to those new chicks, but they are not immune. You can purchase chicks vaccinated against Marek's Disease from most Hatcheries (well worth the extra $.15, if for layers or breeding birds, not necessary for Fryers or short term cockerels.) Or, as I do, you can purchase the vaccine from Poultry supplier catalogs and do it yourself. But it must be done at "day old" and chicks should be quarantined for at least 2 weeks while developing immunity. Otherwise it "could" be assumed that they are already exposed. The vaccine is NOT made with the Marek's virus, so impossible to give the disease. It is from Turkey Herpes Virus, which stimulates an immunity to Marek's in chickens. If you raise Turkeys with your chickens, you are unlikely to ever experience Marek's Disease. (Some breeders obtain Turkey poop in sacks and distribute it in coop bedding, scatter in poultry runs, even some dried bits into the feeders. ) They have no Marek's outbreaks in their flocks. Immunity, like "people" vaccines may not be 100%. It is what we can do to protect our birds. Being a long lived virus, once you have experienced it, you will always have the risk. If you have never seen or exerienced Marek's, I hope it stays that way!! But if you have had it-take precautions and protect your birds. GOOD LUCK
Jean , that was very well put. It's nice to meet others who have their facts straight.
