In Mareks Disease denial

[Smawise]

Hello flock parents,

I hope you're great today.

My little Todoboki is roughly 4-5 years old. We got her and her 3 siblings from a sanctuary. They were being chased by a dog in a graveyard where they'd been dumped (so no idea about vaccinations).

Todo has developed leg issues. Limping on right leg. I took her to the vet today and they said no fractures or sprain as far as they can tell, but told me it may be Mareks disease.

I spoke yo sanctuary owner and theres 50% chance they would have been vaccinated if they were breeder chickens, but also that bets tend to diagnose Mareks when it is something else.

She isn't lethargic, eating and drinking, dirt bathing and following her flock, but spends most of the day sitting down now.

Here's a video of them all, including the limpy baby - - - > Todoboki Hen limp

Thanks in advance for your website and any answers that can be provided.

Cheers
Sam

 

[Ab1010]

Poor thing. She seems pretty upset. That limp is so sad!

 

[Ab1010]

wouldn't it be both legs if it was mareks?

 

[cavemanrich]

Vet said no sprains or fractures. That was my first thought, a sprain from landing too hard. I also assume vet did check for bumblefoot. If he did not, you can inspect bottom of foot yourself.
I do not know very much about Mareks Disease, I would think that it would start earlier than 4 or 5 years of age.
Mareks is treatable, but not necessarily curable. if it is actually the case. This is only info I have read in posts here on BYC. Search out some of those threads and see what you learn.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[Smawise]

wouldn't it be both legs if it was mareks?

She's been like this for about 2 weeks, not getting that much worse though.

The problem I think is that she didn't want to move at all or put either leg down when the vet handled her, so they said both legs were affected (that she wasn't sprawling her claws out when her feet touched the ground). But as you see in the vid, her other leg seems OK...

The vet said a) xrays (but she didn't think we'd find anything) or B) put her to sleep and necropsy to find answers. I don't want to put her down if it's not necessary... But if she has something that will get worse I don't want her in pain. It sucks...

 

[Smawise]

Vet said no sprains or fractures. That was my first thought, a sprain from landing too hard. I also assume vet did check for bumblefoot. If he did not, you can inspect bottom of foot yourself.
I do not know very much about Mareks Disease, I would think that it would start earlier than 4 or 5 years of age.
Mareks is treatable, but not necessarily curable. if it is actually the case. This is only info I have read in posts here on BYC. Search out some of those threads and see what you learn.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

Thank you for the welcome

I'm not sure if vet checked specifically for it. I've checked for bumble foot but honestly I'm not 100% sure what I'm looking for.. Her ankles look more "swollen" than her flock mates.

 

[Ab1010]

She seemed alert. I'd try isolating her and making sure she didn't move around too much. Maybe it being a sprain. Thats what i would think it is. But maybe their could be a fracture and she just needs to stay off it. My guinea just broke her wing and its been a while but she never acts like she's in pain just won't move it. Birds don't like to show pain or sickness. I'm sure they examined the leg and foot but I would check her over again. Check for any bruising under her feathers around her leg up to hip. Mareks is contagious so if its been weeks I would be surprised if nobody else was sick.

 

[Smawise]

Mmhmm, she is no less alert than usual. A bit stressed from going to vet, but she's her usual chatty calm self.

I had her in iso for about 5 days to stop her from moving too much, but didn't change much. She's just sitting down pretty much all day near the food/water.

Thankfully none of her flock are being mean to her

 

[Smawise]

Thank you for the welcome ☺

I'm not sure if vet checked specifically for it. I've checked for bumble foot but honestly I'm not 100% sure what I'm looking for.. Her ankles look more "swollen" than her flock mates.

And poop pic (the wateryness is just spilled from a bottle)

 

[cavemanrich]

Does not look like bumble foot from pix you posted. I am still inclined to think it is a sprain, especially the swelling on the ankle.