At a complete loss, odd illness!

[Lutman_Chick]

Eating and drinking well as far as can see

 

[Lutman_Chick]

Does anyone know if I take her to the vet and ask for a blood test wether it will show any of the suspected problems? I know my vets do see chickens but they are new to treating them

 

[rebrascora]

Hi again. Yes I have just looked at that online and it will be the same testing as the one I mentioned, just a different company. Did it show that your birds needed worming again? Flubenvet is pretty effective against most types of worms so I would be surprised if they needed secondary treatment so soon after it's use. Soiled vents are caused by many other things than worms and in fact worms will not necessarily cause a soiled vent.
If it is Marek's then the exposure occurred at least 5 weeks ago since she has been symptomatic for about 2 weeks, but could have been considerably longer. It has a minimum 3 week dormant phase but can lie quiet for months or even years after infection before an outbreak is triggered. Removing the cockerel may have stressed her or more likely it changed the pecking order, or the cockerel may have been stressing her and her outbreak had already been triggered before you removed him.
Or it may not be Marek's at all. I'm really just saying don't rule it out.
Some Nettex Nutri Drops might help give her a boost. You can give her a couple of drops direct into her beak and put some in her water. It's a good immune system booster.

 

[rebrascora]

As regards veterinary testing, there is a poultry practice in/near Nottingham which I believe do testing for Marek's via a faecal sample. I'm really not sure how accurate this is. It is generally accepted that it can only be identified by PCR testing of tissue following necropsy..... that certainly seems to be the case in the USA anyway. I have not done any research to find out how this faecal testing works, so I really can't comment but I find it strange that they haven't got this testing in The States which has a huge poultry industry, so I am a little sceptical. My feeling is that if it was botulism, it would have progressed by now and also that many cases of Marek's may be written off to botulism simply because no one wants to accept they have Marek's in their flock. Marek's is one of the commonest ailments of poultry, but because of the nature of the disease and symptoms being so variable and unpredictable, it rarely gets properly diagnosed.

 

[Lutman_Chick]

As regards veterinary testing, there is a poultry practice in/near Nottingham which I believe do testing for Marek's via a faecal sample. I'm really not sure how accurate this is. It is generally accepted that it can only be identified by PCR testing of tissue following necropsy..... that certainly seems to be the case in the USA anyway. I have not done any research to find out how this faecal testing works, so I really can't comment but I find it strange that they haven't got this testing in The States which has a huge poultry industry, so I am a little sceptical. My feeling is that if it was botulism, it would have progressed by now and also that many cases of Marek's may be written off to botulism simply because no one wants to accept they have Marek's in their flock. Marek's is one of the commonest ailments of poultry, but because of the nature of the disease and symptoms being so variable and unpredictable, it rarely gets properly diagnosed.

Thank you so much for your reply. This site really is a huge help.

I don’t really want a mystery illness to hang around my flock especially as I’ve just had an incubator full of chicks hatch. If she doesn’t really improve I feel it’s unfair to let her hobble about. I think I’ll condult my vet about culling then necropsy

Thanks all xx

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Oh my goodness, she is tiny and adorable. How is she doing today?

 

[Lutman_Chick]

Oh my goodness, she is tiny and adorable. How is she doing today?

Isnt she! I'm pretty gutted shes sick and i cant fix it, she's got the nicest markings out of the 3 i have. She seems the same, though her eyes are open fully rather than half closed like shes giving me evils, trying to upload a video, but i'm getting the impression from everyone that the prognosis isnt good.

 

[Lutman_Chick]

Some videos.. took some working out!

 

[rebrascora]

Poor little flowerpot! In my experience, from watching those videos, I would say with a reasonable degree of confidence that she has Marek's Disease..... just my opinion though. I'm sorry!

 

[Lutman_Chick]

Poor little flowerpot! In my experience, from watching those videos, I would say with a reasonable degree of confidence that she has Marek's Disease..... just my opinion though. I'm sorry!

Damn, Thanks for your message. If/when i euthanise i will get the tests done to confirm and put all our minds to rest. If she has Marek's are the rest of the flock in trouble?