HELP does my baby girl have Marek's?

[stacieramey]

She started having problems walking about three days ago. I started her on bird vitamins and I just don't know what else to do?

 

[stacieramey]

I hope you can see the video.

 

[bowen012]

Video is private and can't be seen. Any other symptoms besides trouble walking? Eyes look normal? Have you checked her skin for mites/lice? Does her stool look normal or is it bloody or appear to have worms? Could she have been injured? Do any other chickens show symptoms of illness?

 

[stacieramey]

I reposted the video. The other chickens are fine. Stool looked normal, I did not see any worms. I have looked at her skin, would mites and lice be obvious? This is my first time raising chickens.

 

[bowen012]

In that video she seems to have a lot of energy. I'd be surprised if it was mites or such leeching her but an infestation would be relatively obvious. Spread the feathers on her breast and under her wings, down to the skin and if they're prevalent you would likely notice them. Her feet in that video seem to have little use or control so it appears to be something in her legs and feet more than being too weak to move. Hopefully someone with knowledge and/or a similar experience finds this thread; the rare ill chicken I've had that lost the ability to walk had very different symptoms so I don't know that their treatment schedule is relevant here. A friend just had a silkie euthanized that had a heavy case of coccidiosis. She didn't show many of the symptoms of cocci (bloody stool, etc). She was just weak and skinny; otherwise alert and vocal. If all else fails and you gain no insight, it may be worth starting her on Corid; but I'd wait for the input of others before I medicate (unless it starts to turn into days before you get an advise)... Sorry that it isn't much help; but fortunately not a lot of chicken 911 here so far.

 

[stacieramey]

Thanks, I am wondering if she could have a riboflavin deficiency? I just don't want to lose her, she is the sweetest most loving bird we have!

 

[realsis]

Very well could be a defiency. You can see how she responds to the vitamins. Give it some time if it is s sort of vitamin defiency it might take some time to reverse
I wish you the very very best! Good luck.

 

[Haunted55]

Thanks, I am wondering if she could have a riboflavin deficiency? I just don't want to lose her, she is the sweetest most loving bird we have!

It's vitamins. The tippy toe walk is the give away.

 

[Haunted55]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/793176/so-you-think-you-have-mareks#post_11427039

Check out this thread I am in the process of getting up. I have already put up a lot of links that can help you or anyone find the right answers. I am searching right now for the exact vitamin that is causing this but I know it is a B and you can give your bird the dosage I mention in the above thread. If this just started with her, it should only take 3-4 days for it to clear up and go away.

 

[Haunted55]

Riboflavin Deficiency
Many tissues may be affected by riboflavin deficiency, although the epithelium and the myelin sheaths of some of the main nerves are major targets. Changes in the sciatic nerves produce “curled-toe” paralysis in growing chickens. Egg production is affected, and riboflavin-deficient eggs do not hatch. When chicks are fed a diet deficient in riboflavin, their appetite is fairly good but they grow slowly, become weak and emaciated, and develop diarrhea between the first and second weeks. Deficient chicks are reluctant to move unless forced and then frequently walk on their hocks with the aid of their wings. The leg muscles are atrophied and flabby, and the skin is dry and harsh. In advanced stages of deficiency, the chicks lie prostrate with their legs extended, sometimes in opposite directions. The characteristic sign of riboflavin deficiency is a marked enlargement of the sciatic and brachial nerve sheaths; sciatic nerves usually show the most pronounced effects. Histologic examination of the affected nerves shows degenerative changes in the myelin sheaths that, when severe, pinch the nerve. This produces a permanent stimulus, which causes the curled-toe paralysis.

Retarded growth and severe leg weakness are the first signs noted when chicks are deficient in vitamin D3. Beaks and claws become soft and pliable. Chicks may have trouble walking and will take a few steps before squatting on their hocks. While resting, they often sway from side to side, suggesting loss of equilibrium. Feathering is usually poor, and an abnormal banding of feathers may be seen in colored breeds. With chronic vitamin D3 deficiency, marked skeletal disorders are noted. The spinal column may bend downward and the sternum may deviate to one side. These structural changes reduce the size of the thorax, with subsequent crowding of the internal organs. A characteristic finding in chicks is a beading of the ribs at the junction of the spinal column along with a downward and posterior bending. Poor calcification can also be seen at the epiphysis of the tibia and femur. By dipping the split bone in a silver nitrate solution and allowing it to stand under an incandescent light for a few minutes, the calcified areas are easily distinguished from the areas of cartilage. Adding synthetic 1,25(OH)2D3 to the diet of susceptible chicks reduces the incidence of this condition. Although the response is variable, results suggest that some leg abnormalities may be a consequence of inefficient metabolism of cholecalciferol.

borrowed from the Merk Veterinary Manual

Basically, your bird needs sunshine and a good B Complex vitamin.