Limping & swelling near eye - 12 week old Ameraucana

[nhc920]

Unfortunately coming back to update, he died on the 21st. Had a gut feeling about it, so I carried him outside to feel the sunshine—likely more comforting to me than him, to be honest.

Georgia Poultry Lab actually came by and picked him up on the 23rd, lots of appreciation and credit to them! Yesterday (29th) we received the lab results and he was negative/non-detected for Coryza, MS/MG, Newcastle and AI. The worrying comment was added that "Lameness consistent with early Marek's disease. Mild respiratory lesions present."

Also, the results listed him as female. Confused on this one, but I unfortunately had to send a laying hen who suddenly died the night before...no symptoms before or lab results now on her. Maybe a mix up, or likely I was just totally wrong.

I'm taking the possibility of Marek's very seriously, so time to prep for that. If I receive any other information about his condition that may be useful to other folks, I'll add it.

- Thanks again for all the replies here!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry to hear this.

Thank you for the update. Hopefully they will send you more information. It's good that the results showed no respiratory diseases. It is concerning about the mention of Marek's though. A lot of people have Marek's in their flocks, it's fairly common unfortunately.
Here's a very good article for you to read
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

 

[nhc920]

A late update: The necropsy results came in and this was indeed a case of Marek's for both chickens. Our oldest hen passed away last week, too, and we're going to just assume it was Marek's or old age instead of sending for another necropsy. Another pullet (our other black Ameraucana) is showing signs as well - slight droop in wing, "tired" eyes, less active.

On the bright side, a different hen showed bad wry neck symptoms and after 2 weeks of treatment, has recovered 95%...could be related, could be a misdiagnosis from myself, but at least it's something.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

A late update: The necropsy results came in and this was indeed a case of Marek's for both chickens. Our oldest hen passed away last week, too, and we're going to just assume it was Marek's or old age instead of sending for another necropsy. Another pullet (our other black Ameraucana) is showing signs as well - slight droop in wing, "tired" eyes, less active.

On the bright side, a different hen showed bad wry neck symptoms and after 2 weeks of treatment, has recovered 95%...could be related, could be a misdiagnosis from myself, but at least it's something.

Thank you for the update. I'm glad you were able to get a necropsy and more information.