Mareks experience needed. prelim results pg 9

[The Sheriff]

DH and I vaccinated 70 chickens, from babies to adults, plus worming them orally with Valbezan and we finished before the hour was up. We went to the coop before the pop door was scheduled to open. Hubby went in and grabbed them one at a time and brought them out the people door to me. I injected them, administered the oral wormer with a syringe, and he set the chicken loose. While he went back for another, I drew up the vaccine and wormer and was ready to go when he brought the next one out. We had a little work table set up and a metal coal bucket to drop the syringes and needles in for burning later. It went much better than anticipated. I am a registered nurse and I am quite used to injections so that probably helped. Knowing that we had split the dose into fourths and could mix another if we needed to was a big relief but we didn't need it. I would recommend if your young man is skittish to find an adult to help so you don't have that additional issue to deal with. He may find it hard to hold them still and in the correct position for you do do the injection.

Good luck to you!

 

[leadwolf1]

A day before my first child was born, I drew blood on 150 dogs for heartworm testing in under an hour....that was with a very competent helper. I'm not worried about the actual injecting, just someone who won't be bothered by them getting 'hurt'. I am rounding up better helpers. I was planning on night time and grabbing them off their roosts. They are just too crazy in the morning

Thanks for your story though, makes me feel better knowing that it can be done. Necropsy revealed no worms present so I'm not going to deworm them at this time. I just don't believe in deworming unless there is a reason...but what a great setup! Did you really use one needle/syringe per chicken????

 

[The Sheriff]

Quote:
Yes I did except once when I messed up and drew from the used syringe before tossing it in the bucket. The wormer I gave 0.2 cc so I used TB syringes without needles and drew it up out of a small glass jar. I would draw up several of those at a time of hubby was have a difficult time catching the next victim. Honestly he had the worst job. Sounds like you have a plan! Good luck.

 

[leadwolf1]

What size needles did you use for the vaccine? I was planning on reusing the same needle for quite a few...I believe that is normal practice anyway...Now I'm second guessing myself...what to do?

 

[onthespot]

I reuse needles on the chickens. I'm an RN and I know it is not sterile technique to reuse needles, but have not had any problems with it. I wouldn't save over a used needle for the next day, or longer. I know some people will not agree. I have never seen an abcess or infection at the injection sites on their napes of their necks from sharing needles, and none of them have AIDS or hepatitis that I know of.

 

[Ksane]

I'll try to make this quick so I don't bore anyone. I've read this and many other threads for 2 wks and was convinced I had Marek's in my 13 wk old chicks. 1 died a week ago, I've got another one in the house who is wasting away, wobbling and weak. I took her to the vet today, her temp was 108.3, normal is 105 or so. The vet is very familiar with chickens (I feel so lucky) and said they seldom have a temp with Mareks, they don't 'wobble' around, they have actual paralysis in 1 wing or 1 leg. He's pretty sure I'm going through a bout of e.coli or salmonella-probably e. Coli. He gave her an injection of Ceftiofur (it's specific for e coli) and a Vit B injection. She's been down for 3 or 4 days, limping and wobbling when she'd try to walk and was literally wasting away before my eyes (appetite was good if I hand fed her). 2 hrs after we got home she actually STOOD UP straight in her box and was looking around. She's been watching everything I do, picking at food and even preenng herself. I was so positive it was Mareks that I almost didn't take her in-stupid of me. She's got a re-check tomorrow, he said if she's improved by morning-she is already-that it's undoubtedly e. Coli and he's going to send home Tylan 50 for the others. He said few make it once they're as sick as her but I'm hopeful. He also said it's super common and you can track it from literally anywhere home to your chicks. Adult birds carry it but it seldom affects them. One of the signs is bright yellow poo-which several of my other chicks have so I'm pretty positive of his diagnosis. Once the poo turns green, that's indicitive of starvation. This pullet didn't have yellow poo though, it was watery.
So for all of you who are 100% convinved (like I was) that you're dealing with Mareks yet you haven't had a necropsy done.....think again. E coli can wipe out entire flocks far more often than Mareks. He said anytime you lose more than a few wham bam that it's probably *not Mareks. I had blinders on and was so convinced it was Mareks that I almsot let the 2nd one die.
Edit: And it was only $53.00

 

[seminolewind]

Ksane, that's a really good post. I agree, people need to have a good history of when new birds came into their flock, or chickens they have that had been exposed to outside chickens. And yes, follow with a necropsy.

There is no test for Marek's, and no cure. To top it off, symptoms can be very vague. Necropsy is the only way to know for sure. This is why it's such a problem.

You are absolutely right-to remind us all that there are other common illnesses out there-keep an open mind.

 

[Lucysmom002]

Me too. I'm so glad you posted this. Thank you so much. I was convinced that Marek's was here too. After talking to my vet I'm thinking it's mycoplasma which can be caused by E Coli.
Did the vet say where they think the E coli came from??

I've been doing Duramycin but I'm going to call the vet in the morning and get something stronger.

 

[Lucysmom002]

I really hope your chicken pulls through. You'll be in my thoughts. I hate this, it's so sad and depressing. I hope they all recover.

My Punky was so weak and looked so hopeless. I thought there was no way she would ever survive. I pumped poly vi sol and electrolytes into her then started the Duramycin (thanks to someone on here) and she is eating on her own and drinking now. She's still sick but so much better. I have hope for her now.

Cream Puff is weak in the legs, not standing yet but her appetite is good and she's very alert.

 

[Ksane]

SeminoleWind-thanks. I'm a pessimist by nature and always assume the worst. Then get too scared to see the big picture.
LucysMom-he said pretty much all birds have e coli in their bodies. But it doesn't affect them until the numbers get out of control like if they're stressed, shipping, ill with something else, etc. Then it can be passed to others and if chicks are exposed to it they can get very sick and die. Fast. He said it's as simple as a wild bird who has it pooping in the grass and me stepping in it and walking it into the chicks run. I worry so much about what things *could be that i overlook the obvious.
She's much better now 7 hrs after the injections. Really thirsty and drinking lots and much more alert. I hatched her & 7 others from eggs shipped from NC & I love them all so very much.