Marek's vs. perosis - please help

[casportpony]

It looked like an extension of her skin and I felt it and it was a small lump.

Can you post a picture of it?

-Kathy

 

[Wickedchicken6]

Quote: That's excellent info Kathy posted. The Merck breaks it down into individual deficiencies for each vitamin...and it's surprising to read how some deficiencies mimic some of the serious diseases. Everything is in such a delicate balance in the body and it can be easy to take that for granted sometimes. Sometimes with chickens...it doesn't seem to take much.

Even with humans...I've been having trouble healing injuries like cuts or scratches and my fingernails have ridges and aren't growing as fast. Saw my doctor about it and one of the causes is being older

(that makes MY day)

I've figured out that more sleep = better healing...for me anyway. I've also come across human oriented information searching chicken stuff where I need more protein, protein helps heal tissues apparently. So I've been eating more protein with good results.

It doesn't take 2-3 weeks to heal a scratch now...back to under a week or so.
Just food for thought.

A sad update, I discovered one of those feather follicle tumors when I was cleaning her. I guess it's time to do the right thing for her. Thanks for all your support. I will vaccinate any new chicks in the future.

Unless a knowledgeable vet can confirm what you've found, I also wouldn't jump to conclusions.

I once had two registered purebred ewes begin to waste away, one right after another and I thought "oh no...Johne's disease!" I hadn't brought anything in and chances were slim...but it still presented EXACTLY like Johne's. Vet did autopsies...wasn't Johne's...wasn't even the same thing with both or them. One ewe had liver issues and the other...I can't even remember now (it was about 15 years ago)

That was a HUGE lesson for me. Probably the reason I'm questioning my flock issues right now and weeding through things just like Kathy mentioned above.

I would think a lump could mean many things, not just cancer. I do realize how hopeless it seems when your chicken is down like it shows in your pictures.

 

[newchickiemom48]

This is all encouraging. She did see the avian vet almost two weeks ago when it started. She felt it was Marek's and took some blood and gave her Meloxicam to reduce spinal cord inflammation. It helped a little. She tried to find someone who could test for Marek's but found that necropsy was the only way to test. She was already treated for coccidiosis. She is going in at 2:30 today. I will mention the worm possibility because we did have one hen with round worms that was just treated.

 

[Leihamarie]

This is all encouraging. She did see the avian vet almost two weeks ago when it started. She felt it was Marek's and took some blood and gave her Meloxicam to reduce spinal cord inflammation. It helped a little. She tried to find someone who could test for Marek's but found that necropsy was the only way to test. She was already treated for coccidiosis. She is going in at 2:30 today. I will mention the worm possibility because we did have one hen with round worms that was just treated.

I am so sorry for your troubles. I just lost 2/3 of my original flock from Marek's (confirmed w/ Necropsy) I was encouraged by my family to euthanize my single remaining pullet since she clearly had bile in her stool and she seemed to be losing weight at an alarming rate. I chose to wait until I saw Marek's symptoms and give her a chance to recover from the stress of losing her flockmates and build her immune system back up. 5 weeks later and she's still here, is a healthy weight and seems to be a normal pullet. I keep her under close observation and will take action if I see her succumb to the virus, but since she is my favorite I felt compelled to give her every chance to survive. My point is, being that your flock has become pets for you, try everything you can and if it IS Marek's, there's very, VERY little to be done except know that you did your best and let her go humanely when it's time. If she passes or you choose to euthanize, I would HIGHLY recommend sending her off for necropsy so you know precisely what you're dealing with. Also, while it's true that Marek's is most commonly diagnosed by necropsy, you CAN send for a PCR blood test for it while the bird lives. I really hope what's going on is not Marek's. Please keep us posted.

 

[newchickiemom48]

Hi all,

I took her to the vet yesterday. I mentioned the riboflavin theory because of the legs being extended and the worm theory too. She examined her and told me there was too much spinal cord damage to reverse and recommended euthanasia. She chirped to me as they carrier her away. Very, very sad day. We did send to USDA for testing so I will update when I get the results. Right now watching my flock anxiously.

 

[Leihamarie]

Hi all,

I took her to the vet yesterday. I mentioned the riboflavin theory because of the legs being extended and the worm theory too. She examined her and told me there was too much spinal cord damage to reverse and recommended euthanasia. She chirped to me as they carrier her away. Very, very sad day. We did send to USDA for testing so I will update when I get the results. Right now watching my flock anxiously.

Oh, I am sooo, soooo sorry for your loss! I am sure you are heartbroken for your lost girl and scared about what may lie ahead for your flock. As little comfort as it is now, the best thing is that you were there for her and a superb caretaker that gave her every chance and did the humane thing in the end. As a friend said to me when I went through the same sort of day not too long ago, "cry, grieve, spend time with the chickens you have and get as much rest as you can"

My thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with you. It'll probably take a few weeks for the final results, but please let us know what the necropsy says. If it IS Marek's you are NOT ALONE!!!! There are many of us here that have had, and STILL live with Marek's in our flocks. It is not the end of your chicken keeping success, may not be a death sentence for all your babies, and you have the support of the many, many members here who have dealt with it.

 

[casportpony]

Hi all,

I took her to the vet yesterday. I mentioned the riboflavin theory because of the legs being extended and the worm theory too. She examined her and told me there was too much spinal cord damage to reverse and recommended euthanasia. She chirped to me as they carrier her away. Very, very sad day. We did send to USDA for testing so I will update when I get the results. Right now watching my flock anxiously.

Very sorry for your loss.

-Kathy

 

[ChicKat]

Very sorry for your loss.

-Kathy

X2

 

[chickens really]

I hope the results come back on a positive note.....
Sorry for the loss.......

Cheers!

 

[Wickedchicken6]

Quote: I could not have said this any better. I'm a misty reading all this, that must have been so hard.

I'm SO sorry for your loss.

Please know we are here regardless.
I'm hoping for the best outcome, but I agree that it's not the end of the world if it turns out to be Mareks.

Thank you on behalf of all of us for getting her tested, as hard as that must of been.
Every bit of information one owner finds out and shares helps everyone here.