Mareks Disease

[Sweetpea325]

How is Leggy doing? Even though chicks are vaccinated for Marek's, all that does is lessen the chance of them contracting the disease if they are exposed to it. It doesn't make them resistant to it. I learned that Mareks lowers the immune system so sometimes other issues such as respiratory issues can pop up at the same time and vice versa. Marek's will take advantage if the immune system becomes lower do to another issue.

I hope it's not Marek's your dealing with and hopefully Leggy does show more improvement.

 

[Porcini1951]

Sad to report that we had Leggy put to sleep last Thursday. Despite seeming so well (apart from the leg not working) she was eating well, drinking well and greeting us quite happily. She started to make wheezy breathing noises and her respiration seemed more rapid and she wasn't as active as before. With heavy heart my husband took her back to the vets and they agreed that this was now the best for her.
I had read that hens appear to recover but then relapse with Marek's as the virus spreads through the body.

What a vile virus this is. We tend to think that Herpes is a minor inconvenience causing us cold sores but this variation in hens is terrible. Just hope the other non ex-batts don't succumb to it as it seems to be highly contagious. Presumably the ex-batts will have been vaccinated which lessens the effects.

Thanks for your help and concerns
Jan

 

[Sweetpea325]

I am very sorry to hear about Leggy. I am praying and watching that the rest of my flock doesn't show signs of Marek's also. With it being so highly contagious, it's hard to say who's flock hasn't been exposed.