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

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[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

 

[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]

Highly, Highly reccomend vetdna.com
(972) 960-2221 M-F 9-5 central time Sat 9-1

I called and they were so helpful. Didn’t make me feel stupid for asking questions or wanting tests done.
They actually do testing for most state labs anyway.

So for the Marek’s test I need a few drops of blood on a piece of paper. Send it in a Ziplock with a form I print out. That’s it. That easy. No overnight shipping required. Turn around is same day they get the sample.

He also said it’s a better test then a necropsy. The necropsy looks for tumors. But that doesn’t mean the tumors are caused by Marek’s. The blood test is 99.9% accurate and vaccinated birds are not a false positive.

AND if it’s not Marek’s and I want to test for something else I just ask (and pay) and they can use the same sample.
Did I mention it’s $20.

 

[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?

 

[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

 

[townchicks]

That is very good info to have, thanks! Easy to get a blood sample by clipping a toenail, BTW. Have some Quikstop handy to stop the bleeding after you get what you need. Good luck, keep us posted with your results.