dealing with Mareks yet again looking for additional treatments / info

[PurpleChicken]

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So Jody this is a case of "It may be a carrier or it may not be"?

Vaccinated birds cannot be carriers? I know it's a dead virus that
is used to vaccinate them.

 

[AHappychick]

can I vaccinate them all now? what about my new chicks can a few week old chicks be vaccinated could that help stop this from haunting me forever? I am going to do a search tonight extensively on vaccinating to see, but I have to run out now.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
So Jody this is a case of "It may be a carrier or it may not be"?

Vaccinated birds cannot be carriers? I know it's a dead virus that
is used to vaccinate them.

Unvaccinated birds, if they have ever been exposed to it, can be carriers. Mareks is everywhere in the outdoor environment. It's worldwide. It can be carried onto the property by wild birds, on people's clothes or even the wind. It can be in the soil. It is one of the most common poultry diseases in the world. Chickens become infected and the virus lives in their body. The disease may never manifest itself, but can still be shed in the dander. If a bird is properly vaccinated and quarantined until full immunity is reached, the virus cannot live in it's system so it will not be a carrier and will not shed the virus. The vaccine is not the actual marek's virus. It's a virus that is similar enough to create immunity. Like all vaccines, it's not 100% effective. Most failures happen because strict quarantine protocals weren't followed.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

If I get a disease that takes a lot of money I am doomed. The miniature horses and cows take ALL our animal money with vaccines and vet bills.

The chickens unfortunately take a second seat.

Although I have a marvelous "med pack" full of some pretty expensive stuff that I have accumulated, Mareks disease would mean a cull of the entire flock.

I have culled some pretty darn special birds over the last year.

Paranoia is always a prevalent response here.

I will isolate most of the sick ones for a good period of time, but after a few weeks of NO improvement, I cull.

I have had many a chicken come back from the jaws of death.

I have had many that did not make it.

 

[horsejody]

Vaccination is pretty cheap, and quarantine is easy if they are brooded in the house.

 

[AHappychick]

I just ordered the vaccine and needles and such I am going to do all of my chicks presently in the house in brooders.

it is now too late to vaccinate the one that is sick though correct? If she makes it and all others get vaccinated and stay in brooders for a few more weeks and then eventually join her will they be ok? can I keep her then if she survives?

 

[MoodyChicken]

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You can, but it probably won't do any good. The goal is to give the chicken the harmless turkey strain before it contracts the harmful chicken strain. If vaccinated properly, birds will later contract the chicken strain but it will not express symptoms in all but 5% of the vaccinated flock. Vaccinating adult birds or chicks that may have possibly been exposed doesn't usually help. Some believe that you can increase the number of antibodies present by giving them "booster shots" though. Either way, it wouldn't hurt to vaccinate your adult flock. Be sure to vaccinate youngins early and give them 2 weeks to develop immunity before touching the ground.

The virus is found in the soil and it is virtually impossible to prevent a bird from contracting it. Keeping a survivor will not hurt your flock. If you choose to breed a survivor, be sure to vaccinate its offspring young because like someone mentioned earlier, it may breed more susceptable babies. Also, birds over a year are less likely to show symptoms. 6 months is the most common age for symptoms.

 

[MoodyChicken]

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Give the new chicks two weeks to develop immunity. I would also keep them away from your sick bird until they are 6 months old.

In case you don't know, the MD vaccine is given subcutaneously. Rub some alcohol on the chick's neck so the feathers clump and so you can easily see the skin. Pull the skin up (this will leave all the veins behind and give you nothing but skin) and stick the needle in just a little bit. Each chick should be given .2 cc of the vaccine. If, while injecting, you come to any pressure, stop and make a new hole (you've probably hit a vein or feather follicle). Non vaccinated and vaccinated chicks can be housed together.

 

[AHappychick]

So I was just giving her her meds and a little attention before bed and noticed her foot was worse, looked her over again and now I see some redening at the joint and swelling on the bad leg. Dont know if this is from leaning on it because of the mareks or if her leg is injured and I have mis diagnosed. Please anyone know how to tell? the joing is swollen where the knee is at the back The part resting on the ground the leg is not paralized like the others were just from the knee down seems bad. and it looks bruised.

would asprin help? if so what is the dose for a 5 month old EE?

 

[thewarriorchild]

Oh no not again!!!