Marek's Disease?

[RayrayB]

This little silkie is about 5 months old. She apparently developed paralysis in her leg about 2 months ago. Her owner could no longer keep her, so we took her in to keep her inside as a house chicken. (I'm a sucker!) It looks to me that both legs are paralyzed, with the right hip still working some. She cannot stand and falls over.
Does this look like Marek's disease? She eats well and otherwise appears bright, but the onset of paralysis seems like a red flag to me. I am trying a vitamin supplement just in case it is a deficiency.
We are not planning on introducing her to our other chickens and are being careful not to cross contaminate areas. I know Marek's is highly contagious so I want to try to confirm if that is what this is..either way we will probably just try to make her comfortable until the end.

 

[Suedan]

That is so kind of you to take her in.
@Eggcessive

 

[sdm111]

its transferred by feather dander so since the chicken is in your house it will probably be transferred to your chickens by you

 

[MomJones]

I looked it up in my Chicken Health Handbook and it says that in a "maturing" chicken paralysis can be a symptom of Marek's. But it could also be a symptom of several other diseases instead of Marek's. Do you have her on some immune building supplements?

 

[Eggcessive]

Mareks is best diagnosed with a necropsy by your state vet or poultry lab. They test the feather shafts and any tumor tissue found in organs, on nerves, or on the skin. If the silkie has Mareks, unfortunately it may affect your other chickens, so I would be very careful about biosecurity. It was very kind of you to take her in, but Mareks can be hard to contain. If it were me, I would probably return her, and use VirkonS to disinfect all areas, shoes, and launder clothing. If you lose her, get the necropsy, just to find out if it was Mareks or not. I would suspect it may be. Here is a bit to read about Mareks and a list of state poultry vets:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[RayrayB]

We literally just picked her up today, so I've only just started her on a poultry vitamin supplement. Do you have any recommendations on supplements?
The lady who had her has a flock with no history of Mareck's and no other chickens with any illness or similar symptoms. She was thinking a slipped tendon or genetic deformity, but I am thinking it is something neurological given the bilateral weakness.
We are keeping her in our garage for now and built her a little sling so she can stand, but I am guarded on her chances. She seems perfectly happy right now, but we certainly won't prolong her suffering if she begins to appear more ill.

 

[RayrayB]

It doesn't sound good, so I will likely return her tomorrow. I can't take a chance with my other girls

 

[Suedan]

It doesn't sound good, so I will likely return her tomorrow. I can't take a chance with my other girls

I'm so sorry

 

[Eggcessive]

So sorry, you have a kind heart, but I think that you are doing what is best for your chickens.

 

[Folly's place]

Protect the birds you have! That's first, and generally it means not rescuing outside birds, sad as that might be.
Mary