Crop stasis and Marek’s

[amarsano]

I have an 11mo old barnyard mix (half Brahma) that is presenting with crop stasis. I’ve lost 2 birds in the last month to lymphoma most likely caused by Marek’s. I have lost many more birds over the last year, however they were predominantly not vaccinated because the hatchery didn’t have the option. I don’t vaccinate my barnyard hatches under broody hens because there is no point. Once they hatch they’re exposed. So, I’m looking to see if anyone else has had a chicken with crop stasis and lymphoma from Marek’s. It could also, potentially, be avian leukosis, but the necropsy wouldn’t specify despite my request for an Eliza. I appreciate any insight or experience from others.

 

[Eggcessive]

What are her droppings looking like? What has she been eating? Is her crop full and firm, dough-like, or puffy? Is she taking some fluids? Have you tried offering some small chips of chilled coconut oil or giving her some mineral oil in a little egg?

 

[amarsano]

So I just noticed that he was down today and I brought him in and crated him. I tried to syringe water, but he wouldn’t take it. He won’t eat, either. His crop is huge and hard, definitely impacted, as we’ve dealt with impaction in 1 other bird. He was a lead rooster, but now it’s looking not great for him. I can easily feel his keel bone, so he’s clearly had an issue for a while. I’m disappointed that I didn’t notice earlier, but all the ones I’ve had go lately have shown no odd behaviors until it was too late. I’m going to give mineral oil tonight, once my daughter can help hold him. I did put ivermectin on him for the mites, today. I’ll cook up an egg to see if he’ll eat it. He has no droppings at this point. I brought a different bird in 2 days ago because I was checking for eggs and noticed she was skinny. I gave her high potency mash and eggs, which she devoured. It seemed to boost her right back up and her crop was full tonight instead of the empty the other night. I think I need to do supplements in the water, but I use 30 g barrels and since it hasn’t been above freezing for days, easily getting water changes is difficult.

 

[Eggcessive]

Was the crop huge and hard first thing this morning? Can you massage it several times a day, and check it first thing in the morning to see if it has emptied any? What do you feed him? Do you have any granite poultry grit out in a separate container? I would try to get some water into him with a dropper or spoon, or a feeding tube if you have one. A tsp of sugar and a pinch of salt in a quart would make some electrolyte water.

 

[amarsano]

Sadly, we will be putting him down. When I went to massage him this morning, I found the all too familiar smell of necrosis. I believe his crop has split. It is rock hard and you can feel the split. I’m going to do a necropsy to see if it’s a basic impaction or a cancer related issue. He was showing no signs of distress until yesterday and sadly it was too late.

 

[Eggcessive]

Could you post a picture of his crop that is splitting. I am sorry that has happened. If you put him down, would you be willing to do a necropsy to look at his gizzard, intestines and other abdominal organs? Take pictures of the organs if you do. I once found a hen whose gizzard seemed impacted, and her intestines did become necrotic.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a good video of a chicken necropsy and the organs are labeled:

 

[amarsano]

Could you post a picture of his crop that is splitting. I am sorry that has happened. If you put him down, would you be willing to do a necropsy to look at his gizzard, intestines and other abdominal organs? Take pictures of the organs if you do. I once found a hen whose gizzard seemed impacted, and her intestines did become necrotic.

I will attach some photos when I get home. He died Sunday night/Monday morning. I need to finish but his entire crop and gizzard are were .asses of small hemorrhagic tumors.

 

[amarsano]

Could you post a picture of his crop that is splitting. I am sorry that has happened. If you put him down, would you be willing to do a necropsy to look at his gizzard, intestines and other abdominal organs? Take pictures of the organs if you do. I once found a hen whose gizzard seemed impacted, and her intestines did become necrotic.

Okay, so I failed at chickne necropsy, but I took a few photos of a quick open him up and take a peak around. I had a difficult time finding his crop. The tumors were enormous. His liver was also enlarged.

 

[amarsano]

So in case anyone is interested, the flock has both Marek’s and Leukosis.