Half Blind Leghorn! MAREKS! I STILL NEED HELP!!!!

[seminolewind]

The only thing you can do is watch your flock, and your friend and you watch the other one. More you can't do.
Someone else will have to tell you if it's okay to vaccinate the rest of the flock.

 

[cocosandy]

I had that one bird with the cloudy eye...it bulged out a bit... and he died in a couple of days. The necropsy of my dead birds showed no sign of tumors indicating mareks, but the lab work came to that conclusion. I was more worried about encephalitis because we have EEE around here and people can get it...dogs can get it...
anyway, after doing much research and talking to the extension folks Ive come to the conclusion that mareks is incredibly widespread and that most flocks have it one way or another. The older birds are immune, and if you get vaccinated birds they are immune. Keeping turkeys gives babies some immunity as well....
I can see culling sick birds because they have a pathetic death and they all do die, but IM not gonna go crazy and cull them all and worry about other birds.
many people have had outbreaks and when its over, they just go on assuming that the remaining birds are immune.
Some birds get mareks but dont get the tumors that cause the horrible death. The vaccine actually doesnt stop mareks but only the tumors.
Its a confusing subject because people will say to cull the whole flock, clean your place up, and start again.
The truth is that even if you buy only vaccinated birds, 5% of those vaccinated are not protected and also if the vaccine is not mixed right or used quickly, it will be useless. The vaccine also is only effective in day old birds. Those birds need to be kept in total isolation from other birds for 10 days. even clothes worn into where they are have to be changed so as not to bring the shedding virus to other birds.

the idea of culling an entire flock has to do with large operations that produce food. culling the bird itself is a matter of humane treatment and quality of life.

if the chicken hasn't died of the eye problem and its not bulging out, it may just be something else.
The extension vet can help, but be aware that some of the advice they give is aimed at farms or egg/meat producers. so be sure to state if these are pet chickens or just personal or local egg production.
good luck...
Im always interested in seeing what people decide because Ive just been through this myself and my remaining flock is stable...Im unlikely to cull them or to not bring in new birds...but I am getting vaccinated birds next...and I am running a couple of turkeys with my flock which imparts immunity supposedly.

 

[AmyBella]

I am interested in her progress and what you decide, too! I have noticed that a lot of time on the forums people don't always post this info and I think it is important. I especially love to read disease and emergency threads that have a happy ending! Keep us posted!

 

[matthewschickens]

Our extension office and Virginia Tech are doing some research for us and so far we have found out:

We got a list of other symptoms and she does not have any of them

There are other things that can cause a blind eye like hers

I will keep you posted

 

[matthewschickens]

Anyone?

 

[matthewschickens]

At all?

 

[seminolewind]

Is there an update? Any other symptom other than the eye?

 

[AHappychick]

Personally I think she may haver had a bout with Mareks but was not fully effected by it. If she is behaving normally I would not worry, but she could be a carrier of Mareks.

I know for a fact I have Mareks in my flock. I vaccinate my chicks for it now. I have a hen that has an eye like that and I think it is from the Mareks. But she is healthy and happy so I dont cull.

Mareks is everywhere and almost impossible to get rid of as it is in dander and lives forever (practically) so i dont feel as though getting rid of my hen would change anything.

You might want to vaccinate all new chicks though.

 

[Turner]

All of my birds are vaccinated but it is like any vaccine - it may lessen symptoms but not the disease totally if affected. You get flu shots but may still get the flu just not as bad as someone who did not get the flu shot. I have seen a lot of birds get Mareks and recover - others not. If you have a favorite bird that is affected as long as they eat and drink give them a little support and time - they may come around but it does take some time for them to get their strength and mobility back. As far as affecting a whole flock it might but depends on the immunity of each individual. By the time you notice one ill bird they have all be exposed - you can isolate but others may or may not come down with it.

 

[matthewschickens]

Thank you everyone for your replies!!
Any more will be greatly appreicated!!!


Quote:
There is no other sympotoms other then the eye which is good!

Thank you again and I will be waiting for more replies!