From the UC Davis lab report:
"The lesions observed on gross examination are highly suggestive of a reproductive neoplasia. Probably ovarian carcinoma with
spread to the serosal surfaces of the coelomic cavity and metastasis to the liver, pancreas and lungs. These tumors are very
common in adult chickens. I will perform histopathology on the tissues to confirm my suspicions. These results are pending.
The lesions observed on histopathology are consistent with a malignant round cell tumor that looks like the lymphoproliferative
disease observed with Marek's disease. While the cell type appears similar, I am struck that this agent did not affect peripheral
nerves which is commonly observed in Marek's disease. I am suspicious that this may be a variant we are seeing of this
disease. Further testing is forth coming.
And the final necropsy report:
Adult Barred Dominique hen: etiology lymphoproliferative disease (Marek’s disease probable) with metastasis to other organs
Significant findings:
1. Lung, brain, liver, intestines, oviduct, ovaries, mesenteric fat, kidneys, pancreas, ventriculus and proventriculus :
lymphoproliferative disease (Lymphosarcoma caused by Marek’s disease)
Gross pathology:
1. Ovary: Lymphosarcoma with dissemination to serosal surfaces and parenchyma of kidneys, pancreas and lungs
2. Coelomic cavity: Peritonitis, moderate probable sequela to neoplasia
3. Ovaries: atrophied and replaced by neoplasia
4. Intestinal serosal adhesions associated with the neoplasia metastasis
5. Liver, friable hepatomegalic liver
Histopathology:
1. Lung, brain, liver, intestines, oviduct, ovaries, mesenteric fat, kidneys, pancreas, ventriculus and proventriculus :
lymphoproliferative disease (Marek’s disease)
2. Serosal surfaces: Peritonitis, with neoplastic cells"
So - it's a cancer, and the pathologist thinks it's onset was caused by Marek's, but the nerves were not affected in the way that one would expect with a traditional Marek's infection. The birds in the yard were all vaccinated with a Marek's vaccine at the hatchery, and since these guys were hatched from eggs, I ordered and administered a Marek's vaccine (ordered from Jeffers):
https://www.zoetisus.com/contact/pages/product_information/msds_pi/pi/md-vac_cfl.pdf
I've tried to make sense of the necropsy report - is it, or is it not actually Marek's, and if it is, is it the vertically or horizontally transmitted version (is it contagious)....I still don't know. But, yeah, full disclosure, a hen in my flock died with the necropsy report listed above. She was just under 2 yrs old, with no seizures or signs of nerve issues...nothing that you would traditionally associate with Marek's, but there is says...Marek's probable lymphoproligerative disease. All other chickens in the flock are healthy and happy...the oldest is now 4.5 yrs old. Let me know if you're still interested.
Hmmm.... I saw in another thread you may have had a confirmed case of Mareks?
