HOW LONG DOES MAREK'S TAKE TO KILL? *Urgent*

[Campine Lover]

My OEGB pullet, Missy, has been showing SOME symptoms of Marek's. I'm not sure. It's been 2 weeks, and she can't walk or see very well. All the other birds in my flock are perfectly fine, soooooo........ How long would Marek's take to kill a bird? She might not have Marek's, but I want to be ready and prepared when the time comes. And if it hasn't killed by now, it may not be Marek's. Please answer quick!

 

[mypicklebird]

You need to start reading about Mareks. It is a complicated disease, and there is no definitive answer to your question. This is a virus that can do MANY different things, and can hang out in the environment for years. The classic/most common presentation is the one leg lame bird that progresses to both legs and death, the bird becomes ill usually around 4-5 months. It can happen sooner or later. The other presentations- visceral, feather follicle, ocular- can take longer to make the bird ill. Time of death from first obvious symptoms can be days to weeks to months (or years sometimes)- it really depends on how much supportive care people put into these individuals. Given no extra care, a bird that can't walk will die from exposure or dehydration within a week. If put in a cage with food and water placed right in front, kept warm, their bottoms kept clean- these birds can linger for weeks or months. It would be helpful to provide why you think your bird may have Mareks, age, vaccination history, ect.

 

[Kendratn]

I to need help I have a chick showing signs of Marek disease. Paralyzed legs and one wing. About 10 weeks old. This happened just yesterday. But 3 days prior I had a normal bunch of chicks and I happened to catch one and noticed it had blue grey eyes. But healthy and still healthy. I never thought Mareks disease until this new chick went paralyzed. How long will it take for me to know if disease? I never thought disease until this chick with out blue eyes got sick. A hen broke into coop and I thought pecked it’s head and made punch drunk. I’m now at a loss for I have a sick chick and a healthy chick with blue/eyes. It says to euthanize to prevent spread. But how long do I wait? Or do I just kill. Omg I don’t know if I can. At present I have the sick chick inside and I’m working with it. But I have to hold it to eat and for it to drink. But since I have a healthy chick with blue/ grey eyes I’m in fear it’s already spreading. What should I do?

 

[BeverlyH]

What happened with this case?