Marek’s Test

[FlyingNunFarm]

I am wondering if anyone knows if there is a test for Marek’s that can be done on a live bird.

Recent events have me questioning the status of my flock. I’d like to know for sure but don’t have a deceased bird to send in. (Hopefully it will stay that way.)

In Ohio you need a vet referral for anything done at the Department of Agriculture. Don’t have that either so out of state is fine.

Any leads would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[townchicks]

That would be good to know, hopefully you'll get a response here. My feeling is there is not, or I think it would have been mentioned before. Maybe something new

 

[strawberricatt]

I am wondering if anyone knows if there is a test for Marek’s that can be done on a live bird.

Recent events have me questioning the status of my flock. I’d like to know for sure but don’t have a deceased bird to send in. (Hopefully it will stay that way.)

In Ohio you need a vet referral for anything done at the Department of Agriculture. Don’t have that either so out of state is fine.

Any leads would be helpful.

Thanks

A friend of mine sent a fecal sample to a vet in the UK, but I'm not sure how widespread the practice is, or if they do it in the US. Hopefully someone will know.
@Texas Kiki
@casportpony
@azygous
@Pyxis
Do any of you have any idea?

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

A friend of mine sent a fecal sample to a vet in the UK, but I'm not sure how widespread the practice is, or if they do it in the US. Hopefully someone will know.
@Texas Kiki
@casportpony
@azygous
@Pyxis
Do any of you have any idea?

If I could mail poop to the UK I’d do it! LOL

 

[strawberricatt]

If I could mail poop to the UK I’d do it! LOL

Haha! I'll try to find the veterinarian that did it, but this was a few years ago.

 

[strawberricatt]

Well, I've found no info unfortunately. Hopefully someone will be able to help, but as far as I've seen the only way to test is a necropsy done by the state lab. Hopefully someone else knows.
@rebrascora
@Eggcessive

 

[Eggcessive]

I thick there are labs that will test a feather, but I think the best results are with a necropsy when they will look for tiny tumors along nerves and organs, and they do a PCR test on tumor tissue and feather shafts. You might spend a lot of money, and only get a false negative result. But, I have no experience with this. If I were you I would check around the stae for a vet that might be helpful. My vet clinic in Proctorville has one vet who has interest in chickens, but not sure if they offer any testing for Mareks.

Here is a lab that offers a test for Mareks, where you can call and ask questions:
http://www.vetdna.com/application/forms/aviansubmittalform.pdf

Here is an thread with discussions about testing:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/mareks-testing-in-living-birds.1206105/


In this article, they say that it is best to examine the body for tumors, since the disease is fairly common in chickens everywhere:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/neoplasms/marek’s-disease-in-poultry

 

[azygous]

A necropsy is the most reliable method for determining cause of death.

You may find a lab to test a blood sample from a live bird to detect DNA markers for Marek's virus. It's also possible to have a DNA test on a feather shaft, but for the cost, I'd prefer to stick with the most tested method and most reliable and conclusive - a necropsy.

 

[staceyj]

@FlyingNunFarm

Just throwing out some fyi’s

There are live animal mareks test available.

http://www.vetdna.com/test-type/avian-bird

This one does serologic, OR feather OR sterile skin swab.
All the info is on the site.
Click on the picture of the birds to get to the avian section

You can read the submittal form.
No vet referral needed.

Also the vet school at UGA@Athens also does testing.
You don’t have to be a Georgia resident to submit to them.
https://vet.uga.edu/pdrc

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Thanks everyone! Not sure why when I searched for this same info I came up empty. LOL