Mareks experience needed. prelim results pg 9

[seminolewind]

Mitzi, I'm so glad that your hen is getting better. Good news.

What I've noticed with all my Marek's birds is that they don't look sick. They either eat or try to eat. Aside from wasting away, paralysis and wing walking, and possibly a cardiac failure, they all ate, or looked like they were.. And really didn't look sick. I imagine that if chickens have an illness and they look sick, Marek's would be last on my list of possibilities. That's not a hard and fast rule. None of mine ever have had a limp. Within a day, they were unable to use a leg or two at all. They scuffed along the ground using their wings. The ones that wasted away kind of suprised me with no symptoms other than wasting down to skin and bones and that bright green poo. Prior to that they were with the flock and came for treats and food, but I guess werent' really eating, just picking.

I am also having a hard time with hens that are having a heavy molt. The lose dander like crazy and lose alot of weight. This can go on for quite some time. It makes me crazy not knowing, but there's nothing I can do but wait. I have 2-3 like that right now. But I can't say it's Marek's unless they die from it.

 

[Ksane]

Quote:
Yep-that's what this vet said-that they just all of a sudden lose the use of a wing or leg. Not the weak wobbling mine was doing. Mine did seem to have a good appetite but I was also hand-feeding her. She got another antibiotic inj today and he ended up sending home LS-50 powder to add to the other's water for 7-10 days. I feel so incredibly lucky, like I dodged a bullet. I know how you all feel to a certain extent because I felt the fear and helplessness the past 2 wks thinking it was surely Marek's. I can't imagine going through it long term like you are

 

[Lucysmom002]

I sure wish I knew what is going on here. I broke down and took my three to the vet today.

Dixie: eating, drinking, one leg is useless but she hops around. She is only 3 lbs. She's a standard BO. 1 1/2 year old

CreamPuff: suddenly walking drunk then cannot walk at all. Was eating great until today. She will eat cracked corn, yogurt and bread. She is under 3 lbs. Standard Columbian Rock . She is vaccinated for Marek's. 5 months old

Punky: Crevecouer sp?? 7 mo. old. Got her at the fair. She was almost dead earlier this week. NOT eating at all. Very weak and lethargic. Mouth open. I've been force feeding electrolytes, duramycin and anything I can get in her mouth. She started eating at night only the past couple days. She is a tiny bit stronger. Weight... are you ready for this..?? 1.4 lbs.

Vet says they are goners. We shall see.
Vet injected antibiotics, dewormed and gave fluids under skin today. I have the stuff to re dose tonight and tomorrow twice. She said if they don't improve by Monday...

I'm giving all of them poly vi sol.

That's where we are at. It's 38 at night here. I have the heat light on. They love laying under it.

Vet recommended necropsy if they die for sure. I will do it. She admitted she knows nothing about chickens and was doing her best. Her best is all I have right now next to euthanasia. I promised my daughter I would do all I can do. This is the last try this weekend. I'm drained and depressed and can't do it anymore. I love these birds but..

Vet also recommended I deworm entire flock so I have Wazine in the water today. I am pulling eggs.. she also said check them all and see if they are thin. They are all pretty darn hefty if you ask me.

 

[seminolewind]

LS-50 is my drug of choice . It covers alot of different bacteria.

 

[Lucysmom002]

She didn't have that so she gave them Baytril. I love these sweet girls so much but I'm ready to be done. From 7am to 3 pm today, it was all about the sick chickens, this is how my life has been all week. I've been out there a dozen times since then and I'm going out one more time to inject the shots and try to make them eat a little again. This is ridiculous.

 

[Ksane]

Baytril's good and strong anyway.
You sound so frustrated, I wish there was something I could do to help. You're all they have at this point and that's pretty overwhelming. Nobody here is going to condemn you for laying your cards down and letting them go at this point.
Remember-if you're going to have a necropsy done put the bird in the fridge and not the freezer.
I'm so sorry, I wish I could help.

 

[Lucysmom002]

Thank you. I've been giving it my all this entire week but I will continue until I KNOW there is no hope for them. I'll do whatever I can. I might whine a little but I still won't stop.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
Lucy, When did you add your last bird? It does sound suspiciously like Mareks to me. I am not a doctor.
You just have 3?
You can whine all you want. You're whining to people here who have suffered thru this, and still are. I could cry at the drop of a hat.