Help!! Marek's Disease??

[Haunted55]

Looks like one of my hens is symptomatic. What I noticed to begin with was looking at her eye. It looked normal but not. I think maybe it's bulging very slightly. She is bony and having bright green poop. She can not eat because her crop is full of fluid, and every time she bends over, the fluid comes out and blocks her airway. I've tried to raise her food up but, nothing is going down, so she can't eat.

QUOTE:

Similarly, the involvement of the vagus nerve can result in the paralysis and dilation of the crop seen in this photo. Crop impactions and pendulous crops that are quite often seen in Show chickens are often attributed to Marek’s disease as the virus infiltrates the nerves of this region. Crop impaction may also be unrelated to Mareks Diseases when chickens of any age but mostly mature hens over-engorge on grass or other fibrous matter. The fibre in grasses accumulates in a entangled mass that prevents the crop from emptying properly causing it to distend and become impacted (see article in this section on Crop and Gizzard impactions).
***************

This is the pattern of my symptomatic birds, however, if they don't have symptoms prior to 8 months, it seems that they live for a few years until the tumors, I guess, start to affect them. And they waste away.

QUOTE

• Acute Form
• - 4-8 weeks of age
  - 80% Mortality
• Transient Form
• - 5-18 weeks of age
  - Uncommon
• Internal Organ Form
• - 16 - 35 weeks of age
  - Chronic Illness

My roo that had Marek's had crop problems very similar to those listed here as well. I have dealt with non-Marek's crop impaction in my hens before which is why "Marek's" didn't even occur to us until he showed leg paralysis.
Necropsy report showed that his gizzard was additionally effected and that the lining was abnormal.

That's awful Seminole! I know what you mean about the eyes too. No color change but just...off. Nambroth I haven't seen symptoms yet myself, or at least not yet. How truly awful! I would have said maybe injecting vitamins but if there are actual changes in the organ then not much hope for a chance to get 'through' this phase of it, is there.

I have noticed something a bit odd with one of my Dark Cornish hens. Her eyes color has changed from the normal brown to that funky grey/green color. No blindness, no pupil involvement, just the color. There's something up with the DC anyways. They have been the least affected out of all of the birds I got last year. I don't understand it and no one I've asked, seems to be able to come up with the answers either. I do know from what I have left of survivors, the hens are going to be breed with one of the DC roos and this line separated out from all the others. Home hatched birds are not being vaccinated for Marek's, I want to prove or disprove the breeding for resistance and immunity.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:

It's "funny" you should mention gizzard. One of the adults I lost 2 years ago was my first necropsy, and her gizzard just plain wasn't working.
I've had an impacted crop or two in the past that were treated.

Now her crop almost covers her whole chest , and if she looks down, fluid runs out. She's not pooping at all anymore.
She's about 5 years old.

When do I see it's enough, or should I just let her die?

 

[Haunted55]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/766834/found-dead-hen-graphic-necropsy-photos#post_10919632

Another interesting twist. The graphic warning is truth, it's not for the faint of heart. I still think that anyone who has or even thinks they have Marek's in their flock should look and read. I personally found this quite disturbing as the disease is normally caused by a herpes virus. Human or otherwise.

 

[Haunted55]

It's "funny" you should mention gizzard. One of the adults I lost 2 years ago was my first necropsy, and her gizzard just plain wasn't working.
I've had an impacted crop or two in the past that were treated.

Now her crop almost covers her whole chest , and if she looks down, fluid runs out. She's not pooping at all anymore.
She's about 5 years old.

When do I see it's enough, or should I just let her die?

Semoinole...is she happy? Is she content? If yes to those, then I'd say give her an asprin to cover any pain and let her see as many sun rises as she can. I don't think there is any right or wrong answer here, you have to go with your gut on this one, as we all do when something like this happens. There really aren't words to tell you how awful I feel for you. As we've both said so many, many times.....they don't know they're special needs chickens, and are really just happy to be alive. I am so very sorry my friend.

 

[seminolewind]

My Beezus died. The night before I made her vomit just to make her comfortable. The next day she stood all day with her eyes closed. I knew. My hubby did not want to euthanize her, I can't blame him, I didn't want to either. He buried her and I said a prayer.

Thanks for the support.

 

[Gallina8]

Semoinole, I'm so sorry to hear about your bird, and I extend my sympathies out to the others who have posted the loss of a bird as well.

My wee Piotr, who inspired this thread, lives. She has lost quite a bit of weight since we last spoke, and I have started to feed her with a plastic syringe like the babies I used to raise in an attempt to plump her up. She appears relatively normal aside from her lack of caloric intake and her laying-down position. I took her out into the garden a few times this week (FYI, she's by the daffodils just for pictures- chickens don't come into the garden for fear of poison/destruction of my horticultural labors!)

Her waddle color comes and goes, and tends to improve with increased water/vitamin intake. I'm back to feeding her pellets and her poo, while occasionally stiiiinnnkky, is normal most days- albeit small. I give her egg yolks, but she doesn't always eat them, and olive oil daily.

I looked up my state vet and they are not close to me at all. I contacted UPenn for the veterinary university and they want over $200 just to walk in the door. The ASPCA here doesn't have a bird vet. I've been trying to keep her happy nad comfortable, and reading online when I can about her condition.

I found the following, which was very interesting and is specific to her breed. Additionally, I read that her particular type of polish has been bread for looks, not health... and so there are a great number of genetically compromised Black Crested White Polish out there, and I think I got one. Poor Piotr. She uses her wings to wheel herself around in her sick bin, and I flip her from her left side to right regularly.

So, that's the news in Philadelphia. I'm glad to see that the thread is still going. Thank you all for your continuous support!

Katrina/Gallina8


Water on the brain. This is a particular problem with, although not limited to, crested breeds and is often mistaken for Marek's disease. An infection in the enlarged cranial cavity produces fluid which in turn presses on the brain. Symptoms include walking backwards and falling over. The bird may spin around in circles then suddenly recover, much to the misguided amusement of the keeper. Treatment is simple and effective: isolate the bird and administer a liquid feed (pellets ground up with water) via a large syringe directly into the mouth at regular (two to four hour) intervals during the day, with the last feed at night. An antibiotic preparation needs to be prescribed by your vet and injected into the breast muscle along with an anti inflammatory drug (ask your vet to show you how if you are unsure) to reduce the swelling and clear up the infection. You may have to continue treatment for up to four weeks in mild cases however severe cases should be euthanized if there is no marked improvement after one week or if the bird is in considerable distress.
http://www.actavetscand.com/content/53/1/10
http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/factsheets/Birds/Polish-Chooks/2183

 

[Haunted55]

Gallina8, glad you came back and very glad about this information you've found! I truly think you've hit it on the head with this. The symptoms you were describing before just weren't adding up to Marek's for me. Quick look, yes....closer look, no. At least you know she can be treated with antibiotics and vitamins. Asprin can be given as well to help with the inflamation. 1 asprin per pint of drinking water. [ 5 grain = 325 mg] I am not glad that she has these other problems though. You will need to find out what the antibiotic of choice would be and try with that. You may be very lucky as you have given her meds before, so it is possible that brain injury isn't irreversible and she may [crossing fingers, eyes and toes] be able to get up and walk again! I so hope this is the case for you. You've worked long and hard with her and she needs another chance. Keep posting, lol! Good luck!

 

[seminolewind]

Gallina, Did you try these people? I believe a necropsy on a chicken is $40.00
http://www.padls.org/services.html

I had a Polish like that. Ugly Eddie. I think he got a big peck on the head. He walked circles backwards for a month. He turned his back as well. I had to spoon feed him and teach him how to drink water. It got to the point that I was going to euthanize my first chicken. I gave him a handful of my dog's valium. I waited half a night, then went to bed. He crowed the next morning. He stopped walking backwards, but ran circles for no reason. He got better, it had been 2 months or so all together, but then he just wasted away.

 

[Gallina8]

I am so sad to announce that Piotr passed away last night. She was on my lap being petted. I have so much gratitude for your continuous problem solving and collective wisdom. I really truly appreciate your time and consideration throughout this process.

Take care of yourselves! And your gallinas! I'll be away for a while, but I'll be back for sure

~Katrina

 

[seminolewind]

I'm so sorry.