Chicken staggering and falling down

[MIChickandGuinea]

Myrtle isn't standing well this afternoon, but she's avidly eating scrambled eggs and chicken treat mix (cracked corn, but she won't touch the meal worms. I have limited the corn because I understand it's not the best for them...). She also enjoyed pecking at a cherry this little boy offered to her. (The boy is my nephew, who dearly loves chickens and misses his pet chickens a lot while he's here visiting us... he's most concerned about Myrtle and is desperate to help.) Myrtle's strength and coordination seem to kind of come and go. Not sure what to make of it.

 

[MIChickandGuinea]

Also, I have shallow water pans tucked everywhere around the coop, so that she never has far to go for a drink ... I saw her drinking a bunch earlier today, but she didn't want any water just now when she was having treats.

 

[alexa009]

Also, I have shallow water pans tucked everywhere around the coop, so that she never has far to go for a drink ... I saw her drinking a bunch earlier today, but she didn't want any water just now when she was having treats.

I'm sure it is normal that she isn't drinking water right away. I am at least glad to hear that she is eating. I am still not sure why she is having problems walking. I am sure it isn't mareks because She probably wouldn't be eating at all.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How is she doing?

 

[rebrascora]

I am sure it isn't mareks because She probably wouldn't be eating at all.

In the interests of not perpetuating incorrect information, I can say that the above is not true in my experience. Most of my Marek's sufferers have good appetites during the initial paralysis phase....which can go on for weeks or even months. Most also have bright eyes and combs if they are of an age to have red combs and look quite healthy, despite being incapacitated by the paralysis.
I now euthanize once they lose interest in food because that usually indicates an infection has set in and they don't last long after that.

 

[MIChickandGuinea]

In the interests of not perpetuating incorrect information, I can say that the above is not true in my experience. Most of my Marek's sufferers have good appetites during the initial paralysis phase....which can go on for weeks or even months. Most also have bright eyes and combs if they are of an age to have red combs and look quite healthy, despite being incapacitated by the paralysis.
I now euthanize once they lose interest in food because that usually indicates an infection has set in and they don't last long after that.

Does Mareks appear very abruptly? A bird that was fine one day is very noticeably impaired the next?

 

[MIChickandGuinea]

How is she doing?

Well, sweet girl is still with us. She made the walk down the coop ramp with the other girls in the morning chicken parade. But definitely still weak and unbalanced.

 

[rebrascora]

Yes, it literally happens just like that. Sometimes overnight but sometimes through the day. An attack can also just as abruptly resolve itself and the chicken be suddenly normal again, but unfortunately will be prone to further, more serious attacks in the future...... or it may decline and die. I've had a few that were floundering on their side for a few days, even a week or so and then suddenly recover and be fine for months or even a year before the next attack.
It is a herpes type virus, so outbreaks are similar to cold sores in that you don't know who has the virus until they have an outbreak and they are often triggered by stress. Unfortunately Marek's compromises the immune system like AIDS so the bird is susceptible to other infections that chickens would normally have built up a natural resistance to or fight off, like coccidiosis, respiratory problems and gut infections. It also causes tumours, although if your bird has been vaccinated, it is believed that the vaccine will prevent the development of tumours.
My gut feeling is that your bird has Marek's, but I hope I am wrong.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Well, sweet girl is still with us. She made the walk down the coop ramp with the other girls in the morning chicken parade. But definitely still weak and unbalanced.

I'm glad she is still with you.
@rebrascora has given you some good advice (as always)

Here's a very good article on Marek's
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

 

[MIChickandGuinea]

Yes, it literally happens just like that. Sometimes overnight but sometimes through the day. An attack can also just as abruptly resolve itself and the chicken be suddenly normal again, but unfortunately will be prone to further, more serious attacks in the future...... or it may decline and die. I've had a few that were floundering on their side for a few days, even a week or so and then suddenly recover and be fine for months or even a year before the next attack.
It is a herpes type virus, so outbreaks are similar to cold sores in that you don't know who has the virus until they have an outbreak and they are often triggered by stress. Unfortunately Marek's compromises the immune system like AIDS so the bird is susceptible to other infections that chickens would normally have built up a natural resistance to or fight off, like coccidiosis, respiratory problems and gut infections. It also causes tumours, although if your bird has been vaccinated, it is believed that the vaccine will prevent the development of tumours.
My gut feeling is that your bird has Marek's, but I hope I am wrong.

Well ... I will just keep on doing what I can to help her stay nourished and hydrated until either she recovers (or goes into temporary remission) or fades away. She's being very sweet and patient about her misfortune.