Quote:
In her first post, she said she found the bird on the coop floor...she couldnt jump up to roost...then she states a week or so had passed and the bird started to not come out and seemed lethargic before she found the bird on the coop floor again with wings spread and legs in the "roadrunner" position.
I agree the other chickens would already have it..
I dont believe it was an infection at all. No infections i know of cause symptoms like mareks!
edited by staff
Actually there are quite a few things that can mimic Marek's symptoms
Legs
Symptom Possible Cause
Paralysis...
Marek's disease; botulism; heat stoke; epidemic tremor;
cage layer fatigue; vitamin E deficiency; algae poisoning;
yellow jasmine poisoning; acute lack of water
Newcastle Disease
Synonyms: pneumoencephalitis
The highly contagious and lethal form of Newcastle disease is known as viscerotropic (attacks
the internal organs) velogenic Newcastle disease, VVND, exotic Newcastle disease,
or Asiatic Newcastle disease. VVND is not present in the United States poultry industry at
this time.
Species affected: Newcastle disease affects all birds of all ages. Humans and other mammals are also
susceptible to Newcastle. In such species, it causes a mild conjunctivitis.
Clinical signs: There are three forms of Newcastle disease -- mildly pathogenic (lentogenic), moderately
pathogenic (mesogenic) and highly pathogenic (velogenic). Newcastle disease is characterized
by a sudden onset of clinical signs which include hoarse chirps (in chicks), watery
discharge from nostrils, labored breathing (gasping), facial swelling, paralysis, trembling,
and twisting of the neck (sign of central nervous system involvement). Mortality ranges
from 10 to 80 percent depending on the pathogenicity. In adult laying birds, symptoms
can include decreased feed and water consumption and a dramatic drop in egg production
(see Table 1).
Mycoplasma synoviae
Synonyms: MS, infectious synovitis, synovitis, silent air sac
Species affected: chickens and turkeys.
Clinical signs: Birds infected with the synovitis form show lameness, followed by lethargy, reluctance to
move, swollen joints, stilted gait, loss of weight, and formation of breast blisters. Birds
infected with the respiratory form exhibit respiratory distress. Greenish diarrhea is common
in dying birds (see Table 1). Clinically, the disease in indistinguishable from MG.
Transmission: MS is transmitted from infected breeder to progeny via the egg. Within a flock, MS is
spread by direct contact with infected birds as well as through airborne particles over
short distances.
Aspergillosis
Synonyms: brooder pneumonia, mycotic pneumonia, fungal pneumonia, Aspergillus . When the
source of the disease is the hatchery, the disease is called brooder pneumonia. In older
birds, the disease is called aspergillosis.
Species affected: All birds (domestic poultry, pigeons, canary and zoo bird species), animals, humans, and
plants are susceptible.
Clinical signs: Aspergillosis occurs as an acute disease of young birds and a chronic disease in mature
birds. Young birds have trouble breathing and gasp for air. Characteristically, there are
no rales or respiratory sounds associated with aspergillosis. Feed consumption decreases.
Occasionally there is paralysis or convulsions caused by the fungal toxin. Mortality in
young birds averages 5-20 percent, but may be as high as 50 percent. Mature birds also
have respiratory distress, reduced feed consumption, and may have a bluish and dark
color of the skin (cyanosis). Nervous disorders, such as twisted necks, may occur in a few
birds (see Table 1). Mortality in mature birds is usually less than 5 percent.
Transmission: Aspergillosis is caused by a fungus. The fungus grows well at room temperature and
higher. All litter and nest materials (peat moss, peanut hulls, sawdust, peat, bark, straw)
have been known to have been contaminated with aspergillus. Feed and water should be
suspect when attempting to identify the source of contamination
Avian Encephalomyelitis
Synonyms: epidemic tremor, AE
Species affected: The disease is most prevalent in chickens less than 6 weeks of age. Pheasants, corturnix
quail, and turkeys are natural hosts as well, but less susceptible than chickens. Ducklings,
young pigeons, and guinea fowl can be experimentally infected.
Clinical signs: Signs commonly appear during the first week of life and between the second and third
weeks. Affected chicks may first show a dull expression of the eyes, followed by progressive
incoordination, sitting on hocks, tremors of the head and neck, and finally paralysis
or prostration. Affected chicks are inactive. Some may refuse to walk or will walk on their
hocks. In advanced cases, many chicks will lie with both feet out to one side (prostrate)
and die. All stages (dullness, tremors, prostration) can usually be seen in an affected
flock. Feed and water consumption decreases and the birds lose weight.
