Botulism or Marek's?

[brettzim]

I posted a couple weeks ago about a 3mo old pullet (maybe rooster...) that had one-sided paralysis. I was thinking she was circling the drain but she has since improved greatly and has gotten some use back from her leg. Her symptoms, at their worst, was a splayed out right leg that she could not even bring under herself. She would "gape" every 20 seconds or so, like she was trying to yawn. I did not treat for gapeworms as I heard they were rare and saw no sign of anything in her throat (I do understand I could not have seen it). I did isolate her, give her a day of sulmet as an antibiotic, and gave her vitamins in her water. She has been isolated for about 2 weeks and now is able to stand up and hobble around a bit. It's not pretty but she has use of her leg and it seems to be getting better. The gaping has also stopped. She looks a little scruffy, feathers are maybe a bit puffed up, but considering I thought she was a goner she looks great. I am wondering though, what sidelined her for almost three weeks? I have treated ducks with botulism before but their paralysis was in both legs and I did not notice them gasping/gaping ever. I have read about Marek's and am worried this could be that. She came with a bunch of chicks from the feed store this spring. I have seen no symptoms in anyone else yet but I do not believe they were vaccinated at the hatchery. Anyone else ever have something similar and figure out what it was? Thank you in advance.

 

[casportpony]

Sounds like it could be Marek's, which is one of the leading causes of death in CA. I had one, very similar to yours, strange lameness/paralysis and weird yawing and neck movements, I am positive he died from Marek's.

-Kathy

 

[brettzim]

Do you happen to know if recovery is common w/ Marek's? I assumed the worst when she first got sick and figured it was Marek's (although this would be my first experience with it) but she seems to be recovering well now - no more gaping (just some "shrugging" every once in a while if that makes sense) and a really awkward gate since it seems like the right leg sort of has a mind of its own. But she is improving pretty much daily. I'm not too sure what to do with her as far as putting her back with the flock.. If it was Marek's they have all already been exposed because she was with them since she was a chick (and has been with the group as a whole since we put the youngsters out with the adult hens a month ago). So I assume once she is fine on her own I can put her back in since the rest have already been exposed to her before I knew she was sick?

Thanks for your thoughts.