My chicken is paralysed.please help

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I do not think Mareks is a reportable disease, but I could be wrong. You could check with your local state poultry vet to find out, though. I doubt that your vet could help much if it is Mareks. Many vets do not know much about chickens. You may want to save money or invest in getting a necropsy by the state vet. Not all chickens will get Mareks when exposed, but keep in mind that they will always be carriers, so don't give them away or sell them. If getting new chicks, I would have them vaccinated at the hatchery, and kept away from your present flock and coop for 2-3 weeks to develop full immunity. They will be exposed to it, but hopefully, will not develop the disease. Mareks can remain in the environment for years. Here is a list of state poultry vets and labs with contact info:
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm
 
No guessing necessary follow the link below it's as simple as printing the form taking a sterile Q-tip swabbing her feathers and skin and mailing it out and you'll have your results if it's Marek's disease or not the same day the lab receives it. I'm mailing a swab out tomorrow morning myself (next day delivery) to rush it. I am also currently nursing my 3 year old hen that is paralyzed. It's tough because there's so many health issues that resemble marek's. I'm soending 18 bucks to be 100% sure. I will also forward addition information of what you can do now to help asap.
http://www.vetdna.com/
 
According to my state vet/poultry lab... Marek's is considered to be in EVERY north American flock even if you do not see signs.

They also said that Marek's isn't even in the NPIP testing and isn't required to be reported,though of course it helps them keep track of things.

Hopefully your other girls will not succumb. But it is possible they will now or in the future when they become stressed it could rear it's ugly head again. If it helps, I have only lost Juveniles so far. But that could change any day.

mquadem said:
No guessing necessary follow the link below it's as simple as printing the form taking a sterile Q-tip swabbing her feathers and skin and mailing it out and you'll have your results if it's Marek's disease or not the same day the lab receives it. I'm mailing a swab out tomorrow morning myself (next day delivery) to rush it. I am also currently nursing my 3 year old hen that is paralyzed. It's tough because there's so many health issues that resemble marek's. I'm soending 18 bucks to be 100% sure. I will also forward addition information of what you can do now to help asap.
http://www.vetdna.com/
Click to expand...

Huh... I will be curious to see how that comes out for you, since the state vet (Ca) also said they couldn't do testing for Marek's on live birds. :confused:
 
So sorry you are going through this. We had a scare this summer... Bird with paralysis died (rather quickly). Was sent for necropsy, and another bird went down while we were waiting for results... For her it was much slower, but I was "sure" it was a bad strain of Mareks, was going to have to cull my babies etc. Turned out to be a fungal infection, not communicable, treatable too late for those two birds, but later found some moldy feed... With that said, moldy hay, other contaminants can cause symptoms similar to Mareks. Don't lose hope until you get results!
 
Oh, and a regular vet is usually a waste of time and money (not all, but many - definitely call ahead for specifics on what they will do for you and prices...) State vet, actual poultry vet are much better options... I spent lots of time on the phone with vets and most were clueless... Several hadn't heard of Mareks (one did direct me to a pharmacist at CVS pharmacy with some infectious disease expertise... It was a crazy time!) I am crazy about my chicken babies, but won't spend hundreds (or much more) on overnight treatment/IV fluids crazy testing (when it can be obtained elsewhere for much less). I really feel for you! When mine was sick, I was consumed with what was going to happen, how it happened, what I had done wrong, how my husband and I were going to cull the flock etc
 
EggSighted4Life said:
According to my state vet/poultry lab... Marek's is considered to be in EVERY north American flock even if you do not see signs.

They also said that Marek's isn't even in the NPIP testing and isn't required to be reported,though of course it helps them keep track of things.

Hopefully your other girls will not succumb. But it is possible they will now or in the future when they become stressed it could rear it's ugly head again. If it helps, I have only lost Juveniles so far. But that could change any day.



Huh... I will be curious to see how that comes out for you, since the state vet (Ca) also said they couldn't do testing for Marek's on live birds. :confused:
Click to expand...
 
It's spread through their dander (airborne) from my understanding. I know someone that received a positive results. She lost 5 birds before sending out a live sample of her little roo that's still suffering a paralyzed neck that came back positive. * it was vet suggested she use the Lab.
 
Mareks normally is best to be confirmed by testing feather follicles or tumors after death with a necropsy. Each state may be different as to their ability to test for certain diseases. States with a lot of poultry may be better equipped, but it just depends. Do some research here among others who have had testing done. Look for poultry centers at universities. UC Davis in California is pretty respected.
 

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