Help/Emergency! Just left the vet. She thinks my 4 week old chick has Mereks

[Kiki]

it looks like your state lab only accepts submissions from a vet.
So it will probably be more expensive to take one to your vet first. You could call your vet and ask how much they would charge you to submit one for you.

 

[Kale Chips]

I'm not too sure what you have decided regarding whether or not you will cull that last chick, but I thought I would add just a tiny bit of experience...when my chick started rapidly getting curled toes and deformed feet, I gave her save-a-chick electrolytes with riboflavin and within a few days her toes were perfectly straightened out. That ties back into the nutrient absorption problems/deficiency. Maybe it's worth a try?

 

[AnimalmomSarah]

I’m in Ohio. Thank you, that would be very helpful. Is it expensive to get chicks autopsied?

I have been putting Durvet Vitamins & Electrolytes in her water since day 1. She was also on nutridrench for a week. The vet talked about culling and an autopsy at the office. Before we do that she gave us the option to give the chick a round of antibiotics for 7-10 days. At this point I just feel bad for her. She can hardly walk, and when she does she falls around. Im also worried about the rest of the birds (if she is infectious). Hopefully the antibiotics help and hopefully it isn’t mareks.

 

[Eggcessive]

Are you close to Columbus? I just talked last month to a pathologist at the state lab, and they will do a necropsy on a backyard chicken for only $23. If they feel like it could be Mareks, they can send off a sample to another lab for confirmation, and that is extra. But they usually can tell with the basic necropsy. You can bring in her body to the lab or ship it overnight to them yourself. They will only send the written results to a vet of your choice. The body should be kept refrigerated but not frozen, and taken in promptly.

As far as chicks with leg deformities or slipped tendons, although there may not be a lot of success with treating, many do try splinting or other treatments. Some chickens can get along in the flock with some extra attention. I don’t think her eyes look abnormal at this time, since they look the same.

 

[staceyj]

@Redhead Rae posted a good chick euthanasia article recently.
It would be in the learning center

 

[staceyj]

Found it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-for-squeamish-people-slightly-graphic.74734/

It’s not graphic, btw.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Found it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-for-squeamish-people-slightly-graphic.74734/

It’s not graphic, btw.

I said slightly graphic because of the pics of the chick with the umbilical issues.

 

[AnimalmomSarah]

Found it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-for-squeamish-people-slightly-graphic.74734/

It’s not graphic, btw.

Thank you. It does note at the bottom of the article that this method is best for chicks younger than 3 weeks. Mine is older. Than this .

 

[AnimalmomSarah]

Are you close to Columbus? I just talked last month to a pathologist at the state lab, and they will do a necropsy on a backyard chicken for only $23. If they feel like it could be Mareks, they can send off a sample to another lab for confirmation, and that is extra. But they usually can tell with the basic necropsy. You can bring in her body to the lab or ship it overnight to them yourself. They will only send the written results to a vet of your choice. The body should be kept refrigerated but not frozen, and taken in promptly.

As far as chicks with leg deformities or slipped tendons, although there may not be a lot of success with treating, many do try splinting or other treatments. Some chickens can get along in the flock with some extra attention. I don’t think her eyes look abnormal at this time, since they look the same.

Yes, I’m not too far from Columbus. Thank you.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Thank you. It does note at the bottom of the article that this method is best for chicks younger than 3 weeks. Mine is older. Than this .

Hi,

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. I wrote the article.

Do you have a good pair of pruning sheers instead? They give you more power than kitchen sheers would. You would just need to make sure you can do the cut with force and speed. Feel your chick's neck and try cutting through sticks of a similar diameter. You might need help holding the chick since the chick wouldn't easily fit in your off hand. Also, make sure that you or your helper doesn't have any fingers or hand in the way of the jaws.