MG Bacterin vaccine~Mycoplasmosis, etc.

[hunthaven]

Hi, all!

Backstory: I have Marek's in my flock. Sent a body to the lab to be sure, and the pathologist also found mycoplasmosis.

Okay--I have five birds remaining in my main coop, 3 pullets in close range, and 6 six-week-olds in another coop several yards away (I built this coop after the Marek's scare.)

I gave ALL my birds the MG Bactrin vaccine to protect against MG--knowing it won't stop them from getting the pathogen, but should stop it from developing into chronic respiratory disease. The directions say to give it to birds from one week to ten weeks old, but at least 4 weeks before laying, but I called our state vet and asked if I could give it to my already laying hens, and one who is about to lay at any day. I even called the folks who make the drug to make sure there was no withdrawal period, and they said no, but I might see a drop in egg production.

I vaccinated everyone 1.5 weeks ago. I only had one bird--the pre-laying hen--with any signs of sickness. She has been shaking her head and sneezing on and off, yellow/green diarrhea, but no running eyes or nose. I put Denagard in the water, preventative dose, to help her and figured it wouldn't hurt the others.

Yesterday, ALL of my mature birds in the main coop went zombie on me. No eating, no drinking, no crowing from the rooster, no activity. Just standing around zombified--and at least a couple have yellow/green diarrhea. Late last night I poured fresh water into a dish in their run, fortified it with probiotics, and they did drink from that--it was like they don't trust the waterer any more. But I threw in meal worms and fresh weeds/greens, and they didn't touch 'em.

This morning I was afraid they'd all be dead. But they are a little better today--still quiet and still, but they are eating--a little--and drinking--a little--and moving around a little. I bought some Tylan 50 to try if they didn't improve, and I may use it tomorrow--depending partly on your advice.

And today I did some research on the MG Bacterin vaccine. I found this:
In recently published work, a bacterin was less effective than 125 ppm of tiamulin for three days per month in broiler breeders which were naturally challenged twelve weeks after vaccination (98). Other products provided no protection in comparative studies with live vaccine strains A vaccinated layer flock, which showed serological evidence of post-vaccinal exposure to M. gallisepticum, developed respiratory disease, increased mortality and a significant drop in egg production.

I'm no doctor, but it seems to me that the study cited above showed that this MG vaccine was less effective than a preventative dose of Denagard for mature birds. But a vaccinated layer flock (presumably mature) got sick. Right?

So I'm afraid that may have happened to my little flock. 1.5 weeks after the vaccine, the vaccine virus kicked in (even though a Bacterin is NOT a live virus) and the girls are under the weather.

SO--if that's the case, do I medicate with Tylan? Or just watch them a few days to make sure they keep getting better?

All opinions welcome. Sorry so long, but I know you all like details. ;-)

 

[Notaneggspurt]

Wow! Appreciate all the detail. It really sounds like you got hit with the trifecta of chicken illness. I'm of no help.

 

[hunthaven]

Wow! Appreciate all the detail. It really sounds like you got hit with the trifecta of chicken illness. I'm of no help.

Hugs help. .

And yes, nothing like baptism by fire for a first year chicken keeper. But I've learned a lot and now we put on booties before we enter any run, etc. I'm probably overly paranoid. But hoping my babies are even a little better tomorrow.

 

[Notaneggspurt]

I'm hoping too. Don't think you're being paranoid at all. Years back when I went through NPIP inspection I watched the state vet put on his tyvek suit and gloved up, all while I'm in my rain boots and bath robe over my chicken clothes. Then after watching him clean up like it was a crime scene. Sprayed down everything with a disinfectant, even his truck tires before leaving the property. I learned a LOT that day. Learning a lot from your post as well. Thank you so much for sharing.

 

[hunthaven]

Update: I did dose my girls (and rooster) the day after my first post in this thread--and the next day they were better, and the NEXT day they were almost back to normal. It is now the day after that, and they are eating to make up for lost time, I think. It's rainy and cold and miserable, but my heart is full. Yesterday I walked through the run scooping poop and thanked God that all but one looked nice and normal. So--I think their illness was definitely a reaction to the Bacterin MG vaccine, because they all came down with it at the same time. It put them off eating and drinking and gave all of them lime green poop, but after some TLC and Tylan 50, they are better. And the good thing is I learned how to give an oral dose of Tylan 50, and it's true: that which doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. . Thanks for the commiseration and help. Signing off now!