Cured Mareks

[GeorginaGranite]

Hi,
My name is Georgina, I have a beautiful hen who I have cured from mareks! Her name is Granite. I really need some help as she is still unwell.. I don't want to take her to the vets as they will want me to cull her. Basically she has open mouth breathing and also shakes her head (fluid comes out)and scratches her nose. She is eating quite well now however not taking any fluids (she is eating cucumber instead) she has been like this for around 4 weeks now and has been living inside. Please help.. how can I stop the open mouth breathing egg and get her back to normal?! Helpppp!!! Thank you x

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us
So sorry for your issue @Pyxis can you lend a hand?

 

[GeorginaGranite]

Yes please!!

 

[CapricornFarm]

I would like to know more about "curing" Mareks. For respiratory issues i like Vet Rx.

 

[GeorginaGranite]

Around 8 weeks ago I noticed both pupils were different and weren't affected by light, so I brought her inside. She then became very wobbly.. this then caused her to become completely paralysed. I researched and saw that dmso and colloidal silver could help. I gave her around 1ml of each 3 times a day. After 2 days she began to stand and started to eat and was able to walk. Now she seems to be at stand still with open mouth breathing?

 

[rebrascora]

I don't mean to burst your bubble but in my experience of Marek's some bird's naturally recover from an attack, whether they are treated or not. It does not mean they are cured or that they will not suffer other attacks or symptoms. Unfortunately the Marek's virus compromises the immune system much like AIDS in humans and birds with it are likely to suffer from secondary infections like respiratory infections and coccidiosis that their immune system might ordinarily fight off. Another possibility is that she has a tumour due to Marek's causing the respiratory distress you are seeing. Lung tumours are quite common with the disease.
Is her crop emptying overnight? The fluid may be due to an impacted crop or respiratory disease. You might try Vet RX to see if that eases her respiratory distress and if not, you may want to try an antibiotic but someone else will need to advise you on that as it is not my field of knowledge.
Eating cucumber is not going to get the nutrients into her that her body needs.... she needs high protein food like some scrambled egg or KayTee Baby bird food. Whatever you feed her, make sure it is sloppy, so that she doesn't dehydrate.

How does her body condition feel? Is she thin, with her breast bone feeling sharp under the skin. What does her poop look like?

 

[Lolacan]

I agree with rebrascora. Since 1905 there has been no cure found for Marek's. The only way to know for sure if a chicken has Marek's is a necropsy or blood test.

 

[Pyxis]

I agree with rebrascora. You cannot cure Marek's, once they have it, they have it for life. There is no cure. Some people are breeding for resistance.

The respiratory issues may well be a secondary infection caused by Marek's weakening her immune system. You could try something like Tylan to clear it up for her.

 

[Lolacan]

I agree with rebrascora. You cannot cure Marek's, once they have it, they have it for life. There is no cure. Some people are breeding for resistance.

The respiratory issues may well be a secondary infection caused by Marek's weakening her immune system. You could try something like Tylan to clear it up for her.

Always happy to meet those with correct information!