Marek' Disease

[SierraMA]

I think one of my chicken's has Marek's disease. I separated her from the other 6. What do I do now? Please help!!!

 

[SpottedCrow]

Marek's is a virus with no cure...If this is what it is causing your bird to be sick, all of your other birds have already been exposed.

Why do you think she has Mareks?

This is a link to some of the symptoms and other information...
http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/page9.htm

This is the usual starting position that indicates Mareks:
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/htm/bc/poumr01.htm
the pic didn't show, but the link should work.

This was Miss MoneyPenny who had a tentative diagnosis of Mareks:

She went from limping to not being able to walk to only able to move one wing within a week and a day...

 

[SierraMA]

Hi:

Because she is doing that whole neck turning thing plus she has that same eye that wikipedia pictures on the website. I came home yesterday afternoon and she was just laying down in the middle of the run while all the other chickens were inside the coop. I can take a video if you want. She is still alive this morning.

 

[chickenzoo]

If she does have Mareks you should seperate her and start supportive care. As she gets weaker the other chickens can trample her to death. You would need to keep food and water CLOSE by and perhaps put pedalite in her water to prevent her from dehydrating. Give her foods that are easy to eat and swallow, i.e starter, scrambled eggs etc. Don't put the water in something she can drown in, since motor skills are effected. if she has Mareks it can be a long road to recovery if they can make it. hope you the best.

 

[SpottedCrow]

Baby Bird handfeeding mix is good too...I was giving Penny that along with Polyvisol and applesauce.

I hope she doesn't have it...seriously...

 

[hinkjc]

I don't think the neck turning would be a sign of Mareks. Typically, they go down on their legs with increase to permanent paralysis. Cloudy eyes is an optical form of Mareks.

Please give us some more info. Can you post a pic of her neck turn? If she is limberneck, it could be a vitamin deficiency or botulism.

Jody

 

[SierraMA]

I have a picture. Today I bought the vitamins and have been feeding it to her. I have also separated her from the rest.

Here is a link to the pictures. Let me know if you can't get access. It is on facebook.

Thanks for all the info. I sure hope she gets better. It is very distressing to see her like this.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2839&l=586ed&id=1219055503

Let me know what you all think!!!

 

[SpottedCrow]

Definitely NOT mareks.
She might have Limberneck, which can be caused by botulism, like she ate something that made her sick...
shoot off an email to DLHUnicorn...she can help.

Make sure she has food and water within reach. Put pebbles/marbles in the water so that she doesn't drown.

 

[SierraMA]

Hi:

Thanks for the tip. I tried to PM but it says the message box is full. I am so glad you don't think it is Marek's!!!

 

[roosters97]

Quote:
not to highjack,but in the backround you see byc!