Five-month old Australorp suddenly lame. Update: Now another pullet going lame!

[Perris]

I'm thinking this thing has been in my flock for a long time.

if it proves to be so, does it mean that most of your flock are naturally resistant, or more resistant, or even immune to it?

 

[ValerieJ]

Your struggles with these pullets are simply heartbreaking. You really have tried everything you could to help them. I'm so sorry.

 

[azygous]

@Perris Yes, most of the flock appears to be resistant to whatever this is. It's very curious that the older set of three EE pullets has shown no symptoms, though.

 

[TwoCrows]

I am so sorry to hear this situation is getting worse, it's so difficult to watch them suffering.

MS doesn't actually cause paralysis, legs should still be stretching and moving, just too swollen and painful to put weight on. I suppose if the infection got bad enough going systemic it might.

Definitely keep us posted in the test results, massive bear hugs coming your way.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

If these big corporate feed stores did ask for Marek's vaccinations for the thousands and thousands they sell, Marek's could be wiped off the map.

I'm very sorry for your experience.

I hugely value your sharing of the process in addition to the support you ALWAYS offer others, and am continuing to learn SO much! I'm always shocked or puzzled when I see some of the more experienced posters like yourself looking for answers.. and reminds there are SO many things I have YET to experience.. and am clueless about.. I cannot even begin to imagine what I MIGHT learn in the next 30 years if I live to ripe age of wisdom.. and NOW I understand WHY "it takes a village" to bring up strong, emotionally healthy families/communities. YOU go chicken friend.. Continue ROCKING your age and showing us HOW it's done!

I'm SORRY for being a nay sayer and please don't let it take away from the compassion and empathy I TRULY feel for my fellow chicken friends.. but vaccinating birds does NOT wipe out Marek's and only HIDES the symptoms.. IF QUARANTINED properly, ADMINISTERED properly, STORED (temperature) properly during shipping and handling.. and so on.. THAT is a whole lot of IFS.. to me. That's also THE reason I am ATTEMPTING to breed for resistance. I'm NOT an anti-vaxer AT all. I just have a different take on THIS (Marek's) subject than some. Guess, I might be thankful that we currently have a choice! I KNOW you already have this informative link.. but including it for anyone who hasn't seen it before..

Marek's Virus FAQ

It DOES seem however that offering vaccinated birds MIGHT be a good option.. AND TSC and other stores would probably comply if there was enough consumer pressure and demand.. If you (anyone) mean it.. start contacting corporate.. or having conversations with your local store managers, start NOW, sooner than later.. SOMEONE does their ordering. Petition your law makers! And it's NO big deal to pass the minuscule cost on to Americans'.. We've already seen it done in lot's of things.. like minimum wage increases and eliminating free single use plastic grocery bags.. NOW the consumer pays for the plastic grocery bags instead of it being a corporate cost they could write of their tax loopholes anyways.. Guess what.. consumers pay.. period.. and they WILL also pay (without question, IMO) the vaccination cost.. If that's what is what's available.. Sure, I prefer a certain brand TP.. but if it isn't in stock I buy what is! This is my version of supporting your idea that vaccinated chicks MIGHT be a better choice and is totally doable..

I DO wonder though.. of the thousands and thousands of birds that are sold and NOT vaccinated EVERY year (as you state).. it's VERY few who actually succumb.. Yes, I understand it is extremely heart breaking for those folks it does hit.. But.. Marek's is NOT the beast it's fear mongered into being.

I also believe/think that losing beloved pets, at least when we are younger.. is part of teaching us coping skills for later in life when we lose things that are so important to us we almost can't even breath and feel like we died ourselves. That may not be helpful to you now, and I still grieve the "smaller" losses and don't mean to diminish implication of their impact on our lives but rather embrace it. A small part of us dies with those we've cared for and lost.

I know YOUR flock is well cared for and seeing things happen to you.. kinda means they CAN happen to anyone of us. Chickens can be so cocky and proud, but keeping them keeps me humble(r). Hang in there, you go above and beyond with your kindness, giving whole heartedly and with all that you have! We all know that about you. I hope your flock thrives and that you get conclusive answers soon.

Just quick re: mail speed at USPS.. even during Christmas.. things arrived at their soonest possible timing according to standard delivery practices for MY route. I also did NOT experience Covid related speed decrease on chick shipments, etc. this year on MY route. Things DO happen sometimes though.. and most often when we are really counting on our items. And SO many things are truly messed off right now.

 

[azygous]

 

[azygous]

May is losing weight and folding up. She's still alert, but the Denagard seems to be having no affect. So, with nothing to lose, I am starting her back on the antiviral acyclovir in addition to three more days of the Denagard.

I didn't put June to bed with May last night. June seems to have fully recovered, and I wanted her to get back to roosting normally. However, June wasn't particularly happy being kicked out of the snuggle box. As I secured May in it, June pecked at the box, which means, "You're forgetting I sleep in there, too." June then went into a sulk and chose to roost as far away from Su-su and April as was possible.

 

[ValerieJ]

I cannot imagine how hard this is for you. You are putting in so much time, effort, thought and research, and May is not responding. That is so sad. I wish I could reach out and hug you. You are the most wonderful woman, caring so much for these little ones.

I sure wish someone had an answer for you, and that you could get May healed. I don't want to assume the worst, but if she doesn't make it, will you be able to have a necropsy done so you can know what you're dealing with in your flock?

 

[azygous]

@ValerieJ Thanks for the virtual hugs. It helps. I've been losing sleep over May. Last night, I spent an hour going over all the chicken diseases and clinical symptoms. Nothing really seems to fit what May has. Marek's and Mycoplasma synoviae come closest.

I've already been thinking about the logistics of a necropsy. It's a heck of a long drive to the state lab. The post office has been taking forever with moving mail and packages. I'm thinking the best thing would be UPS with a cold pack with May's body. It might just be an overnight delivery. But UPS here only has hours from 5pm to 6pm where you can ship your packages.

I really, really need some answers.

 

[Eggcessive]

I haven’t shipped a bird for a necropsy, but most say to get a prepaid shipping label from Fedex or UPS, and do overnight shipping. That way, they are less likely to question what you are shipping. I might be more inclined to do the $20 testing for Mareks from RAL, but it would take time to get the media in the mail for the collecting the blood. I really think if you were dealing with MS, that you would have seen swollen hocks and knees. Here is the link for RAL again:
http://www.vetdna.com/products
http://www.vetdna.com/feedback