Calling all experts: questions about Marek's in vaccinated birds

[horsejody]

Vaccinated chicks can still get Marek's if they are not properly quarantined after the vaccination. You have to keep them totally separate for at least 10 days. They cannot go into the coop or be exposed to areas where other birds may have been. They can't play in the yard during that time, and you should not wear the same clothes and shoes in the quarantine area that you have worn when exposed to the other birds. Hand washing before handling the chicks is also essential. A poultry professor told me that it is like a race to see which virus takes hold first, the vaccine virus or the actual Marek's virus. Were the chicks properly quarantined after vaccination? Mistakes can also be made. The vaccine used may have been mixed or handled improperly or it may have been expired. If they came from a hatchery, they may have accidentally sent you unvaccinated birds. I hope it isn't Marek's.

 

[horsejody]

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The vaccine is only effective for the type that causes paralysis. The type that effects the eyes is a different Marek's virus that has no vaccine at this time.

 

[banter]

Can Mareks be transmitted through eggs?

 

[horsejody]

With TLC Marek's may go into remission. If it progresses as far as the neck, you may want to put the bird down because it will no longer be able to eat or drink. Marek's itself is painless. Most of the suffering comes from injuries the birds get flopping around. They do best in a small cage with food and water right in front of them. They can go on to lead happy lives, but will be carriers. The disease doesn't really go away. It goes into remission and can return.

FYI - I have a Marek's survivor that is doing quite well. She was struck with it over a year ago. She walks with a slight limp but gets along well. She has also been having a banner year for eggs. She is laying almost every other day. Mildred is quite the character, and I am glad we decided to give her a chance.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
No. But the chick can be exposed by the environment as soon as it hatches. Also, Marek's survivors have low fertility rates.

 

[horsejody]

By the way Sunshinegirl, I like the picture of your horse.

 

[sunshinegirl]

horsejody, thanks for chiming in. I've read some of your posts on other threads concerning this disease, and I'm grateful to have your input.

Although my mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother all kept chickens for the better part of their lives, this is my first flock that I've raised myself. I ordered the chicks through the mail from the hatchery, picked them up at the post office, and unpacked them into a clean, prepared stock tank brooder in the house. They stayed inside until they were about 3 weeks old, then went out in the coop. I started letting them outside to play about a week later. So I think they were probably sufficiently quarantined. I was careful to wash my hands before and after handling them (I work in a hospital, so I'm paranoid about hand-washing).

I hope it's not Marek's too, but I don't really know what else it could be. We've had leg paralysis starting on the left, stilted gait progressing to minor neck paralysis and a few red and swollen feather follicles. No signs of injury or illness otherwise. My one 10-wk-old pullet has been like this for 5 wks. They're too young for lymphoid leukosis, and if it was botulism they'd have been dead a long time ago. I've treated for every type of nutrient deficiency I could think of. I would be willing to believe it was some kind of spinal injury or something if I hadn't had a second chick that started showing the same symptoms, which really leads me to believe I'm dealing with some kind of disease. If anyone has any ideas about what this could be other than Marek's, I'd love to hear it.

horsejody, have you ever had birds that recovered from Marek's? I really want to know if recovery is possible or if it's a lost cause.

Also, I've read in several places (and chickenzoo also wrote) that the vaccine doesn't keep birds from becoming infected, but will keep them from developing tumors (about 95% of the time). Do you know if the tumors cause the neurological symptoms or if they develop as the disease progresses? If my bird has been sick this long, do I assume that she does have tumors? I'm just trying to get my information straight, and it's proving to be a little confusing.

And on a lighter note, is that a Haflinger in your avatar?

 

[sunshinegirl]

you're starting to answer my questions before I can even get them written

 

[horsejody]

Birds that have been properly vaccinated and quarantined will not contract the virus. It is an old wive's tale that they will become infected and be carriers. Of course like all vaccines, they are not 100 percent effective. If you have more than one bird showing clinical signs, I would assume that they were not vaccinated, there was a problem with the vaccine used (the vaccine is frail and is only good for a short time once mixed), or there was a problem with the quarantine (possibly at the hatchery). It does sound like classic Marek's though. Take heart though. There is hope. I have a survivor, and my neighbor also has a survivor. I love my little Marek's survivor. Don't give up yet.

 

[horsejody]

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Yes, she is a Haffie. Her name is Dolli. I thought yours might be a Haffie as well.