Does this sound like Mareks disease to you?

[jkzimm04]

I have a young hen who recently had what I thought was sour crop. I had made a bunch of phone calls to see if I could find a vet in my area who deals with chickens. Eventually I found one. I told her all of my chickens symptoms and she told me that it sounded like Mareks to her. Her symptoms are as follows:

Bloated and enlarged crop that seems to be liquid filled and hot to touch
It doesn't empty out from day to day
That is all, she really has NO other symptoms.

I was sure that it was sour crop and now this vet has me freaking out a bit!! If it is Mareks, I know that my other chickens are probably doomed. My other chickens seem fine so far. She didn't actually come out to look at my chicken and I don't know if it really sounds like she knows what she's doing anyway!! She said it's outlook was grim and the chance for survival are slim. Which if it is Mareks, I know that!!

If for some crazy reason it would be Mareks, is it transmittable to humans?

 

[nonsuch]

This sound like a "Crop" problem and not Mareks. Did you check with Dr Peter Brown aka The Chicken Doctor? Go to the First State Vet Supply Websits. He has a medication for sour crop. I would write on his forum and hopefully he will answer quickly. He also does telephone consultation for $25 unless you make a $50 or more purchase from the Vet Supply.

 

[jkzimm04]

Oh, and one more symptom, she STINKS when I smell her! I massage her crop and this disgusting smell comes out of her crop!

 

[jkzimm04]

I will check him out right now!!! Thanks for the info!!

 

[klf73]

I am dealing with Mareks, diagnosed by lab, and NONE of mine sound like yours..... sounds like a crop problem to me

 

[MKingsolver]

I just put a roo down from Marek's (also diagnosed by lab) and what you're dealing with definitely does not sound like Marek's symptoms to me. Sounds like a crop issue and probably wouldn't hurt to get some sour crop meds in her.

P.S. Marek's is NOT transmittable to humans, dogs, cats, etc...it's a bird only disease.