Leg injury or Mareks? (Much loved pet rooster)

[CountessHensar]

I am relatively new to poultry, and am in a dilemma over my 15 month old rooster, Cuckoo Maran Bantam, called Barry that I hatched myself and who has become a pet really.
About a week ago, he went lame in one leg - and seemed to be unable to bear weight on it. I took him to the vet (not a chicken specialist - there don't seem to be any around here) and basically she couldn't find anything and gave him some pain killers. One week later, no improvement, he is still hopping around, so he has been back (same vet, although I requested a different one). She still can't feel any fracture or injury and she thinks now it may be Mareks, and that basically it is a very expensive referral (£170 plus X Rays £450) - and that's just to rule out the possibility of it being an injury (which they are not sure they could treat any way) - if Mareks then there's nothing that can be done anyway and my whole flock is probably infected - it wasn't a great consultation.

I know Marek's is everywhere - but no new birds introduced to flock for over a year - I've hatched a few myself. No known risks. Flock mixed bantams, mainly ones I hatched, some bought in over a year ago - a mixture of vaccinated and non-vaccinated.

Barry seems happy apart from the leg which he is dragging and seems unable to put pressure on (which does, I agree, look like Mareks - though I've only seen pictures). He has a slight redness on one leg - but no infection or swelling - and I can't see that it is Bumblefoot (again I've only seen pictures) and seems to be eating and drinking OK. I can't see any signs of injury or cuts or splinters etc. I don't think he has lost his sense of balance - he struggles with the one leg, but seems able to stand up and crows - although less active than usual.

I have separated him from the others, bit don't know what to do next. If there was a realistic chance of vet being able to help him, I'd try to fork out the money, although it's more than my current car is worth (son's pet - so extra emotional). But TBH I don't have much faith in them - and if it is Marek's then it sounds like a one-way ticket.

My inclination is to keep him separate and see how it goes - presumably if Marek's then his symptoms will get worse and it will become obvious? The downside is I guess I am putting rest of flock at risk - although as he has been running with the hens anyway - they're probably all infected by now anyway.

Is there anything else it could be? (I was hoping, just a sprain, but I would have expected him to get better more quickly if that were the case).

Sorry - long post - I really don't want to lose him, but don't know what's for the best. Grateful for any thoughts. Thanks.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, sorry your face this.

The good news is that many things do look like Marek's, including nutrient deficit. But the other (maybe) good news is that some birds CAN recover and live with Marek's as well. Many times birds the age of yours will NOT get the tumors that cause the paralysis is my understanding. But I know there are always exceptions.

Please, what do you feed on a regular basis, including treats and supplements.

You mention seeing a red spot... is it hot feeling? Was he being bullied by flock members, or kept away from feed? Have you ever checked for external parasites or wormed... did that vet run a fecal float? Does the boy seem to have a "pain" response when you are feeling for stuff? And IF the vet thought it was Marek's why give pain meds? Oh maybe that was the first trip before they suspected Marek's.

Personally... even for an injury, I won't give pain med unless the injury is identified. Otherwise, pain is there to keep us from being too active and further injuring ourselves, a natural defense if you will. It is an indicator or a symptom that that helps us figure out a cause...

Sorry, I have to note that you don't need to personally bring in new birds for Marek's to be brought in by wildlife.

Does Barry act lethargic? Do his eyes look normal? How are his droppings? Any improvement or decline in condition since you noticed the limping? Are you able to post a short video of him walking, using vimeo or youtube and link here?

The best thing you can do as far as I know is keep nutrition high. Many will treat for vitamin E and selenium deficit.... check worm load is you haven't and can. My favorite nutritional treat/supplement is some scrambled or boiled and smashed whole egg.

@rebrascora I know you're experienced in this area, for a much appreciated second opinion.

 

[microchick]

I'd like to see a picture of the boy and how he is holding the leg. Is it just dragging behind him? When he lies down, is he leg stretched out behind him or in front of him? Is he thin? Does he have one wing drooping, usually on the same side as the affected leg with Marek's.

I sure hope it isn't MD. I've lost 2/3rds of my original flock to the horrible disease and hate to hear of any one else going through the heartbreak. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope it isn't but isn't Marek's a bigger problem in the UK than it is even here in the US?

 

[Eggcessive]

A video posted to YouTube with a post here may be helpful. Mareks can occur 3 or weeks after being exposed to a carrier, so since you have not added new birds for a year, Mareks seems less likely. It is still possible though, and wild birds can bring in diseases. Injuries are more common. If you could crush a 1/2 of a vitamin B complex onto his food or a treat daily, that would treat a riboflavin deficiency. It may help to cage him with his own food and water, but keep him with his hens in sight, to force rest of his leg. Bad sprains can take weeks to heal. Jumping to and off roosts can make injuries worse. Femur or hip injuries may not ever heal properly. About the only vet procedure I would get is just an xray of his leg, just to rule out a fracture. Mareks can only be diagnosed accurately after death, when a poultry lab vet can test the feather shafts or tumor tissue for Mareks. Let us know how he gets along.

 

[CountessHensar]

Hi, sorry your face this.

The good news is that many things do look like Marek's, including nutrient deficit. But the other (maybe) good news is that some birds CAN recover and live with Marek's as well. Many times birds the age of yours will NOT get the tumors that cause the paralysis is my understanding. But I know there are always exceptions.

Please, what do you feed on a regular basis, including treats and supplements.

You mention seeing a red spot... is it hot feeling? Was he being bullied by flock members, or kept away from feed? Have you ever checked for external parasites or wormed... did that vet run a fecal float? Does the boy seem to have a "pain" response when you are feeling for stuff? And IF the vet thought it was Marek's why give pain meds? Oh maybe that was the first trip before they suspected Marek's.

Personally... even for an injury, I won't give pain med unless the injury is identified. Otherwise, pain is there to keep us from being too active and further injuring ourselves, a natural defense if you will. It is an indicator or a symptom that that helps us figure out a cause...

Sorry, I have to note that you don't need to personally bring in new birds for Marek's to be brought in by wildlife.

Does Barry act lethargic? Do his eyes look normal? How are his droppings? Any improvement or decline in condition since you noticed the limping? Are you able to post a short video of him walking, using vimeo or youtube and link here?

The best thing you can do as far as I know is keep nutrition high. Many will treat for vitamin E and selenium deficit.... check worm load is you haven't and can. My favorite nutritional treat/supplement is some scrambled or boiled and smashed whole egg.

@rebrascora I know you're experienced in this area, for a much appreciated second opinion.

 

[CountessHensar]

Thank you so much. Will definitely try the vitamins. He has a good (garvo alfamix) feed and mealworm treats and sometimes fresh corn, but he does forage. I can't see any parasites but will give him a closer look and he is probably also due a wormer. I will try and post a video cli which my son took.

Thanks again, am feeling a bit more positive and inclined to see what develops.

 

[CountessHensar]

I'd like to see a picture of the boy and how he is holding the leg. Is it just dragging behind him? When he lies down, is he leg stretched out behind him or in front of him? Is he thin? Does he have one wing drooping, usually on the same side as the affected leg with Marek's.

I sure hope it isn't MD. I've lost 2/3rds of my original flock to the horrible disease and hate to hear of any one else going through the heartbreak. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope it isn't but isn't Marek's a bigger problem in the UK than it is even here in the US?

 

[CountessHensar]

Thanks Microchick. I will check his wing. He isn't particularly thin, and I will check where he puts his leg when he lies down - I haven't noticed it splayed when he is sitting. Yes, Marek's I am told is big here - but not as far as I am aware in the area where we live - have been told it is not much of an issue with backyard flocks here - more commercial ones - but we do have a chicken farm as a neighbour! Sorry to hear about your flock losses. Just posted a video link

 

[CountessHensar]

A video posted to YouTube with a post here may be helpful. Mareks can occur 3 or weeks after being exposed to a carrier, so since you have not added new birds for a year, Mareks seems less likely. It is still possible though, and wild birds can bring in diseases. Injuries are more common. If you could crush a 1/2 of a vitamin B complex onto his food or a treat daily, that would treat a riboflavin deficiency. It may help to cage him with his own food and water, but keep him with his hens in sight, to force rest of his leg. Bad sprains can take weeks to heal. Jumping to and off roosts can make injuries worse. Femur or hip injuries may not ever heal properly. About the only vet procedure I would get is just an xray of his leg, just to rule out a fracture. Mareks can only be diagnosed accurately after death, when a poultry lab vet can test the feather shafts or tumor tissue for Mareks. Let us know how he gets along.

 

[CountessHensar]

Thank you for your reply. I will definitely try the vitamins and make sure he has lots of rest - he can see the hens but gets a bit cross when he can't get to them. Have just posted a video

It is interesting to know a sprain can take time to heal - that was my initial thought - I feel more positive now and am going to see how it goes rather than have him put to sleep (as the vet inferred). Thanks.