Help!! Marek's Disease??

[Haunted55]

This is good information Casportpony! I wish I'd had this last Summer. I lost a couple of my ducks to botulism. It was from them getting into mushrooms and before I could do anything they were dead.

 

[Haunted55]

Hey Haunted. I understand and am acting as though she has Marek's while believing Tx wise that she does not. You had posted a warning about that earlier and I will heed your warning. Thank you again for stressing.

She is better tonight. Laid a nice healthy egg while I was at work with no complications as far as I can tell! She's pooping regularly and it looks very healthy! Also able to sit up while only slightly favoring one side. Still on .1ml of the Cipro solution. Still has a shaky leg, and still can not stand upright- she just flails her legs like she's swimming in water. Her legs are strong, though.

The ACV Rx, is that a 10/90 mix? 30/60?

Also, I found some info on Botulism and wonder if maybe she is actually suffering from that?? The source I had indicated tremors, partial paralysis, and some other symptoms... It's possible I suppose...

For the ACV I usually use 1/2-1 tbls. in a gallon of water. Depending on the situation. Everyday....1/2 is the dose. If I am trying to help a sick bird I will use the 1 tbls. dose so that I know their system is being cleaned.

Now you say she is actually sitting up more? Is she doing this on her own? What about the vitamins? Have you tried them? Sorry don't mean to just fire this stuff at you, lol, sometimes my head just flies and I have to type fast to keep up. Here's my thoughts, if she was able to get her legs under her, or even close....there is a chance that this is a vitamin deficiency. Slight, but still a chance. In that link I sent you about the Wry Neck was the dosage for the vits. and they are ones you can get at WalMart or any pharmacy. And if it's not....you are still going to need vitamins for treating your birds if it is Marek's. It's just the way it is and will always be that way for their life time. Even with Marek's, some birds get through this stage and get their legs back under them and walk again. Most times it's not a pretty thing to watch...they are usually slower and more methodical but walk they do.

 

[Gallina8]

Hello again. Day 5... or is this 6? Either way.

Thank you both, and I agree casport- I have been doing too much reading lately! I'm trying to balance studying for a graduate admissions test on Saturday with learning about chicken ailments but... it's hard. I don't want her to go!

Regarding her behavior, she is staying in a sitting up position if I put her there, but teeters over once she tried to move. I put her in a "sit" position last night before bed and she was still upright in the morning! Leg tremor has ceased, she just paddles now. Legs are strong, just not coordinated.

Her major symptoms have remained as: Legs/Lack of coordination; and discomfort in the crop/underbelly, especially after eating.

I will try the ACV Rx starting today, and am going out to buy vitamins today as well. Let us hope for the best!

 

[Gallina8]

Things remain the same. She is strong, but sensitive in the belly. Keeping up the Tx

One question, though. IF this were a worm/parasite, would that be evident in her poo? Is it possible she's having an inner bowel issue that doesn't evidence itself outwardly? Her belly seems a little bruised today, now that I'm looking at it.

 

[seminolewind]

The most common worm in a chicken is a round worm. And they do come out in the poo.
You might want to try a sling. I took a cage , the top open, and tied an old tshirt in there that had holes cut for both her legs, and a poop hole. It works really well. Then you put her food and water where she can reach it.

 

[Haunted55]

Things remain the same. She is strong, but sensitive in the belly. Keeping up the Tx

One question, though. IF this were a worm/parasite, would that be evident in her poo? Is it possible she's having an inner bowel issue that doesn't evidence itself outwardly? Her belly seems a little bruised today, now that I'm looking at it.

Do you have a Avian Vet nearby? I really think this poor girl needs a Vet ASAP!!! If you can't think of a reason for bruising externally this could be something quite serious you will not be able to treat at home. Please call one now if you have one.

 

[Haunted55]

I wanted to get the first message out before I go into any detail. The bruising could be the result of peritonitus. I have never seen it in any of my fowl but I have seen it in a cat who was diagnosed with Feline Peritonitus. She too would have bruising on her belly because of the bleeding of her bowels, etc.. I could reverse most of the worst symptom with penicillin, but the end was always there, and it was only a matter of time. I do not have any idea of how this presents it's self in poultry and I may be totally off the wall, but...if you haven't handled her roughly, she hasn't fallen, been over used by a roo....there really aren't very many options here. If I am right, she's in pain, a lot of it. You need a Vet..

 

[Gallina8]

Yeah... ok. After [literally] hours and hours of research, I think it's Marek's. She stops Cipro tomorrow, and will just be doing the vitamin/ACV/calcium/D.

She had a really nice meal of eggs peas grit and papaya today. Gobbled it down and then tried to walk around!

My poor chikkie. The kids around her absolutely adore her gentle and trusting nature... If she goes, she will be dearly missed.

I haven't given up. I'm just recognizing the reality of my circumstances. Sigh.

 

[Haunted55]

I'm not sure it is Marek's, it could be, but this secondary, if that's what it is, it needs to be addressed. Again, look up peritonitus in poultry and find the symptoms. In felines, it also affects their nervous system, causing all kinds of uncontrolable shaking, etc.. It may do the same thing in a chicken. If so, you could reverse it for a while with the penicillin, or in the case of a chicken, maybe even cure it. I just don't have the answers to that.

 

[casportpony]

Things remain the same. She is strong, but sensitive in the belly. Keeping up the Tx

One question, though. IF this were a worm/parasite, would that be evident in her poo? Is it possible she's having an inner bowel issue that doesn't evidence itself outwardly? Her belly seems a little bruised today, now that I'm looking at it.

Bruising? That would be *very* bad, IMHO. Can you post a picture?