Lethargic, Panting, and Weak Rooster

[rebrascora]

As someone who has had Marek's in their flock for several years I am probably more experienced at recognising the symptoms and how it exhibits than much of what you read. Once birds get it, they have it for life and are carriers. It is like the Herpes virus in humans. You can't tell who has it and who hasn't until they have an outbreak. Some birds die from the initial outbreak, some make miraculous recoveries but will almost certainly have further and usually more serious attacks, weeks months or even years later but have a good quality of life in between.
My view is that once there is an outbreak of it, your flock has already been exposed, and if you wish to care for the sick bird rather than cull them, they will do best if they have the company of other chickens. Stress makes Marek's worse. Keeping them as happy and comfortable as possible, plenty of sunlight and access to grass and the company of other chickens but within a safe environment have been the factors that have shown the most benefit for my Marek's birds, but some do still die of course.

 

[azygous]

Besides Marek's, there are other avian viruses that produce similar symptoms. I have lymphotic leucosis (LL) in my flock. Like Marek's, it is carried by the entire flock yet only some individuals ever become symptomatic.

When I have a chicken start showing signs of lameness, I suspect tumors are behind it. The tumors also grow on organs such as heart, liver and kidneys. When that happens, they become obviously sick.

Most chickens exposed to these viruses live out a normal life span symptom free. I have a nine-year old hen who's been living with the virus all this time and leading a normal life.

The only way to know for sure you have one of these avian viruses in your flock is to have the birds tested. A blood test for DNA markers can determine the virus in live birds. If a bird dies, you can have a necropsy done. The latter is how I found out my flock carries LL.

 

[Rose Connor]

Overall, it seems that the chances of those with symptoms isn't great, but those without symptoms are likely to live fine lives?

I wasn't able to feel his crop this morning prior to him eating, as I was woken by the sounds of his beak against the food quite early.

 

[Rose Connor]

And after consulting with my mother, he was supposed to have been immunized against Marek's.

 

[azygous]

Vaccination doesn't always prevent Marek's and it has no effect on preventing other avian viruses. They are very difficult to diagnose without lab tests.

 

[Rose Connor]

After taking a closer look, it is one leg that is bothering him the most. And the corresponding leg also has a scab on it. Instead of dooming my pet to the worst possible case, could I be given injuries or illnesses that have similar symptoms. It's just that people tend to jump to either Marek's or Coccidia when it comes to a sick chicken, so I'm not exactly sure if I could trust the diagnosis of it being either one.

 

[azygous]

It's pretty difficult to get an accurate diagnosis over the internet, even from some of our most experienced members, simply because we aren't there. A good diagnosis requires an hands on examination, feeling with our very own digits and seeing with our own eyes the patient as he presents in real time.

Marek's and other avian viruses require lab tests for diagnosis, so all you'll get is best guesses, although many of us have had experience with a lot of these symptoms and have these diseases active in our flocks.

As I've already pointed out, lameness can have many causes. All you can do is try to eliminate the less likely ones, as you're in the process of doing.

Lameness can be caused by slipped tendons, leg fractures, staph infections (bumblefoot), and even a torn toe nail. Greenish bruising on the scales and swelling can be symptomatic of a fracture. A slipped tendon may appear as distortion of the leg alignment. Bumblefoot can be found either on the bottom or top of the foot, black scab and swelling being the symptoms. Untreated, it can cause sickness and death. A torn toenail, as insignificant as it seems, can cause a lot of pain. You would probably see a lot of blood.

If you have snakes in your area, it's possible for a chicken to have a snake bite injury, even from non-poisonous snakes, and they can cause infection. A close examination of your rooster's skin might expose such an injury. Other predator injuries are possible. A cat or dog bite can leave an inconspicuous puncture, yet can become infected and kill the chicken. Look for redness on the skin under the feathers.

If your rooster appears to be in pain and is displaying significant discomfort, a baby aspirin can be given twice a day and is usually very effective.

 

[Rose Connor]

An update on Midnight the Rooster:
We checked his crop this morning, and although he had already started eating a little bit by that time, it didn't feel any different from our hens. We will try to catch him tomorrow morning before he begins eating in order to reaffirm that the issues aren't tied to his crop. The hammock idea was very helpful, and he seems to enjoy it much better. Throughout the day, he was much more alert than he had been yesterday, actively voicing his displeasure or confusion whenever he couldn't see what was going on outside my room. He has stopped panting altogether, and readily ate the egg/crumble/electrolyte water mixture that we threw together for him, though he didn't have too large an appetite. We were unable to observe him drink water on his own, but he did ingest the water that had been mixed with his food. Altogether, he seems to have more energy, and tomorrow we will be attempting to take him out to his hens, just to see them, in hopes that he will be able to relax enough that we can get him to drink on his own.

We looked him over and we couldn't find any obvious wounds or injuries, though thoroughly searching through all of his fluff would take years. He doesn't seem to be painful, but he isn't using his legs to support himself when it comes to resting in the hammock.

 

[azygous]

The update is appreciated.

I'm taking an intuitive stab at this, akin to guessing, but on the hunch this rooster has somehow gotten a neuro toxin into his system, would you be willing to try some vitamin therapy?

First take a look at this. http://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/mycotoxicoses/overview-of-mycotoxicoses-in-poultry

It says that exposure to these toxins increases the need for certain vitamins, especially selenium. I suggest you start with half a selenium tablet and a whole B complex tab daily and see what his reaction is.

Also, if you have a vet, ask for some activated charcoal. Or call your pharmacist and ask if they carry some. If you can get some, give that to your rooster also.

None of these things will hurt. They may help.

 

[Rose Connor]

I know you said that it wouldn't hurt, and instead could help, but are you sure that giving him something like that, in the case that it isn't what is needed, will not harm him in any way?

I just want to make sure that there will be no adverse side effects.