Mycoplasma gallisepticum paralysis

[freebird22]

Hi,
My 3 yr. old bantam cochin hen has been diagnosed with Mycoplasma Gallisepticum, from blood tests by the state lab. She has been on antibiotics for 10 days and is doing much better. However her left leg and wing have been affected and are paralyzed. She is working her right wing and trying to use her right leg, and is getting stronger.

Has any one experienced this? Can a chicken recover from paralysis?

Also, the flock of 10 all have the disease, as it is highly contagious. There are 4 roosters that have some coughing, sneezing, etc. Two of the boys are suffering more than the others, with conjunctivitis and more serious respiratory symptoms of labored breathing and purple combs, when stressed. My vet knows of the situation and says they should be treated with the same antibiotic. However, he can't prescribe the meds without seeing each bird, which is a minimum of $66.00 for each exam plus the cost of meds. I am on social security and can't afford this expense. Any ideas of how to get meds without exam of each bird, since it is confirmed that they need it?

 

[Kiki]

I am sorry you are dealing with this disease.
What antibiotic did the vet give you for the one bird?

Some antibiotics can be bought online.

Have you heard/read anything about Marek's disease?

 

[Kiki]

Also...what state are you in?

 

[freebird22]

I am in Maine.....antibiotic is Doxycycline Hyclate, 2ml once daily for 14 days. This is day 11. Tonight she is feeling so much better. Looking around and chirping, trying to stand up on her right leg and flapping her right wing. I support her left side, so she can stand with help. She is eating much better and drinking more water. I am just wondering if she can overcome the paralysis eventually.

One of my roosters, Gregory Peck, is struggling with his breathing. This happened to him last winter also. I took him to the vet several times last year and they never came up with any answers. I kept him in the house the entire winter and he was better by spring. He shows symptoms when stressed, a sign of both the Mycoplasma bacteria, Synoviae and Gallisepticum . He chronically has a slight sneeze all year and gets worse in the winter.

This time, when I took my hen in, I requested she be tested for Mycoplasma Synoviae, because of her lameness. Blood sample was sent to the Cooperative Extension Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab. The tests came back with a strong positive for Mycoplasma Gallisepticum, plus a very weak positive for S. pullorum. Knowing that Mycoplasma affects the entire flock the same antibiotic would work.

Yes, I have been looking up different illnesses to compare symptoms and did consider Marek's. With the flocks compromised immune system, there could be secondary problems.

thanks for your reply......I have to sleep now, but will check this tomorrow.....thanks

 

[dawg53]

Since your birds have MG/MS, consider using Denagard. Here's a link and please read the Reviews:
https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=30e07f7f-7b6a-11d5-a192-00b0d0204ae5#tab-review

 

[Stockpilejoy]

Very disappointed in your vet that he won't give you enough Rx for your flock after hen was diagnosed. My vet has always prescribed enough meds for flock when he has diagnosed and seen only one hen. He has also suggested places where I could buy medication cheaper. So sorry you are going through this and hope you find an option that results in a full recovery for your flock.

 

[Eggcessive]

My daughter is a vet in another state. She cannot prescribe medicine to any of my animals without seeing them either. My husband is a doctor, and he cannot prescribe anything for people without having a medical chart or seeing them professionally. That includes family. Federal drug laws have changed in the last 10 years to really make it more difficult to get any drugs. Antibiotics are really hard to buy over the counter for farm animals. Fish or pigeon drugs right now are the best ones we can get online. You can get doxycycline at this site if you can figure out your dosage, since these are 100 mg per packet or tablet:
https://www.allivet.com/mobile/p-35...pltd0yzcu4kqdady5xlowwfvpf8tsecsaainwealw_wcb

 

[Stockpilejoy]

My daughter is a vet in another state. She cannot prescribe medicine to any of my animals without seeing them either. My husband is a doctor, and he cannot prescribe anything for people without having a medical chart or seeing them professionally. That includes family. Federal drug laws have changed in the last 10 years to really make it more difficult to get any drugs. Antibiotics are really hard to buy over the counter for farm animals. Fish or pigeon drugs right now are the best ones we can get online. You can get doxycycline at this site if you can figure out your dosage, since these are 100 mg per packet or tablet:
https://www.allivet.com/mobile/p-35...pltd0yzcu4kqdady5xlowwfvpf8tsecsaainwealw_wcb

I thought it might be good idea to be clearer and more detailed with my previous post... when I said my vet recommended places that were less expensive->One being the rx prednisone he prescribed for my dog telling me he would call it in to walmart Pharmacy to get it cheaper. And the other was Ivermectin for my hens->He told me to go to TSC to purchase at a lower price and he gave me recommended dose. When I brought my hen in with Upper respiratory infection he prescribed SMT/TMP antibiotic tabs which he mentioned was a broad spectrum and gave me full bottle so I could give to my other hen that had some of the same symptoms. He also mentioned it was more than needed for future use incase other hens developed symptoms. I greatly appreciated him going out of his way to help me. But In no way would I want him to get in trouble and did not realize the federal law. In the future I will zip my lip keep his good will to myself.

 

[Eggcessive]

It helps to have a good relationship with your vet. My local vet has been helpful over the years giving me allergy injections for one dog who always got car sick going to see him. Many are eager to give extra meds as well. But I was just pointing out that sometimes their hands are tied by laws.

 

[freebird22]

Thanks for your responses......I know the law regulates antibiotics, and that is a good thing. There are too many antibiotic resistant illnesses from overuse.

Thanks for the encouragement. I will try online. I know MG is chronic and never really goes away, and rears it's ugly head in stressful situations, like winter in Maine! I let them free range in warmer weather in my yard. But I'm learning that some wild birds, i.e. House Finch, are prone to the disease and can spread it to backyard chickens.

My hen is slowly improving, but, I'm curious,......Has anyone had a chicken recover from the lameness/paralysis caused by MG or other illnesses? And if so, how long did it take? I am rubbing her left leg and wing and trying to stretch them out because they are stiff and the muscles are shortened (chicken physical therapy). I'm going to try epsom salt soak to relax her muscles. She likes to have a bath with a blow dry. It makes her feel better and sleep well.

Thanks again for your help.......and if anyone has experience with lameness recovery please let me know.....thanks