Well if I understand correctly both pox and Merek's are not treatable only secondary infections can be treated. I feel like it is a death watch just waiting for the next chicken to show symptoms. I will never get chickens again as long as I live on this property.I have access to some of the top vets in the country with the UC Davis Vet Teaching Hospital so I will see what they suggest they are cutting edge in treatment and knowledge.
Remember the word MERCK, you'll hear it again shortly.
Hey, no need to beat yourself up. Every one on this planet has Merek's disease pathogens on their property. The virus is airborne and it is anywhere and it is everywhere in the environment. Now you probably don't want to hear my next words but here goes anyway. The biggest mistake that chicken shepherds make is to nurse, treat, and mollycoddle every sick and ailing bird on their property. Since Wet Pox is invariably fatal and Merck's disease is incurable as well as almost always fetal, and once infected with the Merek's virus a bird that manages to survive becomes a lifetime carrier of the Merck's virus and happily spreads Merck's far and wide, In other words I fail to understand why people put their entire flock at risk for no possible return on their investment by trying to cure and rehabilitate chickens infected with the Merck's virus.
Now more on the good Dr. Merck. There is a very fine vet diagnosis manual written by Dr. Merck and it is a must have for back yard chicken keepers. And this manual would be a very good addition to every veterinarians arsenal of knowledge.
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