Mareks question?

[dandydoodle]

What are the symptoms of Mareks?

Thanks,
Michelle

 

[Sphynxii]

My friend had a chicken with marecks, it had lots of problems with its legs, she couldnt stand or walk properly and was very lethargic.

 

[dandydoodle]

Can anyone tell me what all the symptoms are? I have a sick girl and I am trying to figure out what is wrong with her. Mareks or Vitamin deficiency. Trying to figure out how to treat.

Thanks for your help,
Michelle

 

[BantamLover21]

Can anyone tell me what all the symptoms are? I have a sick girl and I am trying to figure out what is wrong with her. Mareks or Vitamin deficiency. Trying to figure out how to treat.

Thanks for your help,
Michelle

Marek's Disease can manifest itself in many different ways. The most common form is the form that affects the nervous system. It can cause paralysis of the legs and wings, twisted/wry neck, and a classic splayed-leg look. Birds gradually become more paralyzed and starve to death, though in some rare cases, the bird does recover. Internally, this form causes tumors on the organs. Occasionally, Marek's disease in this form can be treated with St. Johns Wart and other medications. (Here is a thread on the subject: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/135247/st-johns-wort)

In its ocular form, Marek's causes an irregular grayish pupil of one or both of the eyes. One pupil may be larger or smaller than the other. This form may result in blindness, and sometimes death. Another form affects the skin, causing enlarged feather follicles, feather loss, and irregular feather growth.

I would try treating your bird with vitamins. You can use poultry vitamins in her water, or get some Polyvisol infant vitamins; the dosage for Polyvisol is 1-2 drops each day. Keep her on vitamins for a week or so, and see what happens. If there is no improvement, I would consider culling her, and if possible, getting her necropsied.

 

[Wyandottes7]

Marek's Disease can manifest itself in many different ways. The most common form is the form that affects the nervous system. It can cause paralysis of the legs and wings, twisted/wry neck, and a classic splayed-leg look. Birds gradually become more paralyzed and starve to death, though in some rare cases, the bird does recover. Internally, this form causes tumors on the organs. Occasionally, Marek's disease in this form can be treated with St. Johns Wart and other medications. (Here is a thread on the subject: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/135247/st-johns-wort)

In its ocular form, Marek's causes an irregular grayish pupil of one or both of the eyes. One pupil may be larger or smaller than the other. This form may result in blindness, and sometimes death. Another form affects the skin, causing enlarged feather follicles, feather loss, and irregular feather growth.

I would try treating your bird with vitamins. You can use poultry vitamins in her water, or get some Polyvisol infant vitamins; the dosage for Polyvisol is 1-2 drops each day. Keep her on vitamins for a week or so, and see what happens. If there is no improvement, I would consider culling her, and if possible, getting her necropsied.

X2. Marek's comes in many forms, and can be difficult to diagnose.