Microplasma Synoviae in hen

[Sunflower24]

Hello,
My 16 month old Ameraucana died this week. I found her in the coop coherent, but with both her legs splayed back. She seemed alert & fine, yet, paralyzed.
The next morning, she died with her mouth & eyes wide open. I took her to the state testing site and had a necropsy done because I feared it was Mareks (although she was vaccinated as a chick for that).
I’ve received some results and it states:
The cause of death in this bird is presumptive of heavy roundworm infestations and Mycoplasma synoviae infection. Nematode is a common GI parasites of backyard poultry. If M. synoviae is introduced in a flock, usually 100% of the birds become infected, although none or only a few develop joint lesions. Antibiotics in feed may help prevent synovitis, but they are not effective in established cases. Control and serology-based surveillance programs have eliminated M. synoviae from most breeder flocks of chickens in the USA.

So my question is, what do I do now? I’ve read through various posts, but with the combo of round worms and MS, what should I do?
Do I deworm the whole flock AND figure out a way to treat them all for potential MS? I don’t know where to start or what to give.
Is my hobby of hatching new chicks and growing my flock over with?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Loving my girls]

Hi, I personally had never heard of this before but looked it up and found answers to your questions. Because of what I found I decided to photograph the article in my book for you to read.
Personally, if possible, I would have a repeat test carried out,
Hugz

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry that you are dealing with mycoplasma synovitis or MS. Sometimes they can also be infected with MG, the respiratory disease at the same time. Once your flock has it, it is there until the last chicken or other fowl are alive. It lasts a few days on equipment once all birds are gone, so it is possible to start over with new hatchery chicks a few weeks later. Most people close their flocks to new birds, and just allow their chickens or other birds live out their lives. Since only a few birds may get symptoms, you can still enjoy your flock. It is my understanding that antibiotics will not help much with MS, although MG may respond to some antibiotics. I would use a proven wormer such as Valbazen 0.08 ml per pound given orally once and repeated in 10-14 days. Or use SafeGuard/fenbendazole 10% liquid goat wormer or horse paste 0.23 ml per pound given for 5 days to treat all chicken worms except tapeworms.

 

[Perris]

Do I deworm the whole flock AND figure out a way to treat them all for potential MS? I don’t know where to start or what to give.
Is my hobby of hatching new chicks and growing my flock over with?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

You might find this useful on the mycoplasma aspect.
https://www.nadis.org.uk/disease-a-z/poultry/diseases-of-farmyard-poultry/part-1-mycoplasmosis/

MS is not normally fatal, and a lot of flocks have it without their keepers even realizing it. Infected birds will develop some immunity to it, and the symptoms will disappear, perhaps to flare up again if circumstances dictate (e.g. stress). During flare-ups the eggs are fine to eat even if the shells are flimsy, just use them quickly since the shell will not be functioning properly to keep out pathogens if it is holed.

 

[Sunflower24]

Hi, I personally had never heard of this before but looked it up and found answers to your questions. Because of what I found I decided to photograph the article in my book for you to read.
Personally, if possible, I would have a repeat test carried out,
Hugz

Thank you so much!

 

[Sunflower24]

Sorry that you are dealing with mycoplasma synovitis or MS. Sometimes they can also be infected with MG, the respiratory disease at the same time. Once your flock has it, it is there until the last chicken or other fowl are alive. It lasts a few days on equipment once all birds are gone, so it is possible to start over with new hatchery chicks a few weeks later. Most people close their flocks to new birds, and just allow their chickens or other birds live out their lives. Since only a few birds may get symptoms, you can still enjoy your flock. It is my understanding that antibiotics will not help much with MS, although MG may respond to some antibiotics. I would use a proven wormer such as Valbazen 0.08 ml per pound given orally once and repeated in 10-14 days. Or use SafeGuard/fenbendazole 10% liquid goat wormer or horse paste 0.23 ml per pound given for 5 days to treat all chicken worms except tapeworms.

Thankfully, she was negative for MG.

 

[Sunflower24]

You might find this useful on the mycoplasma aspect.
https://www.nadis.org.uk/disease-a-z/poultry/diseases-of-farmyard-poultry/part-1-mycoplasmosis/

MS is not normally fatal, and a lot of flocks have it without their keepers even realizing it. Infected birds will develop some immunity to it, and the symptoms will disappear, perhaps to flare up again if circumstances dictate (e.g. stress). During flare-ups the eggs are fine to eat even if the shells are flimsy, just use them quickly since the shell will not be functioning properly to keep out pathogens if it is holed.

Thank you…that was another question I had- whether it was safe to eat our eggs or not.

 

[Sunflower24]

Sorry that you are dealing with mycoplasma synovitis or MS. Sometimes they can also be infected with MG, the respiratory disease at the same time. Once your flock has it, it is there until the last chicken or other fowl are alive. It lasts a few days on equipment once all birds are gone, so it is possible to start over with new hatchery chicks a few weeks later. Most people close their flocks to new birds, and just allow their chickens or other birds live out their lives. Since only a few birds may get symptoms, you can still enjoy your flock. It is my understanding that antibiotics will not help much with MS, although MG may respond to some antibiotics. I would use a proven wormer such as Valbazen 0.08 ml per pound given orally once and repeated in 10-14 days. Or use SafeGuard/fenbendazole 10% liquid goat wormer or horse paste 0.23 ml per pound given for 5 days to treat all chicken worms except tapeworms.

I’ve completed the first dose of Valbazen. Can I go ahead and give the Tylan now, before I do the second dose of Valbazen? Or do they need to be done separately?