Hi everyone, I’m new and need help

[FeatheredFriends2018]

So, I’m new to this site, I’ve joined because I’d like to ask your opinions on a poorly cockerel.
He’s a standard Brahma, approx 4 months old and he’s started to become lame on his feet.
He’s able to walk about 6-10 steps and then wobbles and goes down on his “elbows” if that makes any sense?
I lost one of his siblings a month ago after the vet told me she had viral arthritis from a microplasma infection but the antibiotics didn’t do anything to help. I’m worried it may be something more now this ones off his feet.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Welcome. With his age and symptoms I might think Mareks unfortunately.

 

[FeatheredFriends2018]

Really? I did wonder with the hen that we lost after the vet was sure she’d recover and she just went downhill fast.
There isn’t anything I can do for that is there?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Really? I did wonder with the hen that we lost after the vet was sure she’d recover and she just went downhill fast.
There isn’t anything I can do for that is there?

Mareks comes in many different strains. Some more deadly and contagious than others. There isn't much you can do. It's a cancer caused by a virus. Some build immunity to it others become symptomatic. There's a whole thread about it. I will see if I can find it. I personally cull any symptomatic birds. I generally see one a season of so in my batch of chicks. It can only be confirm after a bird dies during a neocropsy, so sending a deceased bird in can help to identify it.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

http://www.vetdna.com/test-type/avian-bird

There is also a Mareks blood test. There are several viruses that can look like Mareks. They don't have better outcomes unfortunately but I would want to know.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

 

[FeatheredFriends2018]

Thank you, do u think it could be anything else?
I’ve read it can seem sudden, he was fine yesterday and today he’s not but I’d hate to put him out if his misery if it could be something else.
I’m sure I’m probably clutching at straws.
Would u leave him a few days to see if he gets any better?
I’m honestly gutted, I hatched 5 chicks this year for the first time and potentially lost 2 already

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I generally let them go for a week or two. Mareks generally will get worse. An injury should improve. Stress can trigger symptoms. Most come down with symptoms between 8 weeks and 8 months due to all the stress that can occur as they mature.

 

[HennyPenny2019]

Does immunizing chicks for Mareks prevent them from ever contracting this awful disease?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Does immunizing chicks for Mareks prevent them from ever contracting this awful disease?

The vaccine doesn't cover all strains. You should not mix vaccinated and non vaccinated birds. The vaccine should prevent it, but sometimes it doesn't.