Attempt to Get Long-Term Survival in Mareks Infected Hen

[casportpony]

This is a thread that I started awhile ago. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...lethargic-hen-w-swollen-legs-feet-and-wattles
Included is the *preliminary* necropsy report, so what it doesn't say is that the hen died from Marek's. I'll post the final once I edit out my personal info. In the meantime, you can read it and see that she wasn't showing any neurological symptoms.

 

[centrarchid]

Thanks for the links, especially the one with photos.

My bird never demonstrated the classic 'leg forward', just rapidly progressive leg weakness contralateral to facial edema f/b both legs weak, balance issues, inability to stand, falling to right. We figured some type of trauma with neuro insult but were unable to find any wound/lesion/etc, nor any feather piles in the yard. All chicks are fine, all juvies and adults are fine. We set up a heat lamp in her broody coop, her kids come and go out in her penned area ad lib. This morning when I pulled her out to offer the warm water, cheese, yogurt, she barely touched it - but stood and walked 6' back into her coop! And 30 minutes later WALKED BACK OUT AND AROUND HER YARD!!! I'll stick her back in the nest before leaving for work, but maybe . . . .

I work with games and it takes extreme trauma, more extreme than blunt trauma I have seen to cause paralysis typical of the "Mareks" condition.

Recovery from Mareks was gradual over many days, more rapid suggest some other cause.

 

[centrarchid]

Neural form involved here. Weight down a little to 1159 g but that is within range of day to day variation for a healthy individual of her size. She is not a big gamehen; actually repressents lower third with respect to size. Diarrhea evident but I am cleaning that up. Diarrhea for me is typical of birds with reduced mobility. Eyes look good but her voice is a little off. Otherwise no further decline evident. Presumably thermally neutral environment and good nutrition will aid hen in managing her immune system to fight back. If like last rounds where walking ability restored, the period of reduced mobility may last as long as two weeks. Normally such birds would succumb to other issues owing to reduced mobility and proximity to ground that is cold and wet. Balance of confined flock in pens moved on pasture. Such pens provide minimal protection from elements if bird can not get to roost.


Diet provided is not standard backyard poultry fair. It is dominated by poultry grower / finisher, chopped green spinach, dried oatmeal and powdered whole rice, 3-grain scratch, blueberries, freeze dried meal-worms, and chopped fish (frozen smelt or sardine). Dried ingredients wetted prior to feeding out. Bird cherry picks fish and meal worms but most of balance consumed later. She is fed to excess. Grit is added as part of ration and assumed to be in excess.

 

[CottonGinWaste]

casportpony, centrarchid, I appreciate your feedback.

I anticipate losing this pullet; although slightly more mobile she now seems blind and isn't eating or drinking. (Interestingly, her comb and wattles have reddened up greatly over the past few days). Resists water from syringe, won't try to eat favorite treats (and seemed to have trouble swallowing earlier when she did try). I don't have a tube feeder (or tiny catheter). It would be good to have a more definitive dx so as to better plan futuire flock management. Shouldn't the local county extension office have info re necropsy sites and costs?

 

[centrarchid]

My local extension directs me to the vets on main campus of land-grant university. For me, detailed exam will cost >$100.

 

[CottonGinWaste]

Refridgerate her if she dies this weekend, for preservation?

 

[centrarchid]

That willl give you only a day or two. Otherwise freeze.

 

[casportpony]

That willl give you only a day or two.  Otherwise freeze.

My pathologist said not to freeze. Just refrigerate and FedEx next day on Monday if they die Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

 

[casportpony]

My local extension directs me to the vets on main campus of land-grant university.  For me, detailed exam will cost >$100.

I know that Maryland does out of state necropsies for way less than that. You should talk to your State Vet and get his/her recommendation.

 

[centrarchid]

I know that Maryland does out of state necropsies for way less than that. You should talk to your State Vet and get his/her recommendation.

Shipping across states lines, especially infected birds may require additional permits. I figure shipping will cost at least $40. State vet is only a 35 minute drive to $100 not bad when logistics taken into account. I can also accompany bird during examination.