Not an Emergency...Marek's in the Flock

[CeeJ]

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Was there any improvement after the using Casportpony's Corid dosage? The cocci may be a secondary issue, which doesn't help. You also had blood work done? Did they test for Marek's?

The worst is not knowing what is going on. I am so sorry for what you are going through. IF it is Marek's, I have heard 20%-60% losses, depending on vaccination status. But some breeds are more susceptible than others. I have 3 survivors out of 9, but my rooster is suspect.

Yes the higher Cored dosage seemed to help, but i guess the 2 were too badly damaged to make a comeback. I am beginning to dread going out to the one coop anymore. Now this morning, there is blood in the stool of one girl again and she is beginning to have a limp. o treated them for 14 fays at the higher dose cos I kept seeing blood. they can't possibly have cocci if the meds work at all. i am stumped. Then the roo who can't get around very well shiws zero improvement. I have pne coop devoted to sick chickens, some old, some yoing. I simply don't have the space to bring them indorrs, but do have heat oit there for them. It's gotten chilly and continues to be rAiny. I let them out for supervised free range at least 3 hours a day. I bought the Oxine and did all the coops top to bottom. O have put ag lime in the sand in the one run that never seems to dry out. I hand pick through their coop daily to clean and weekly completely change it out. I started adding the vitamins again after the cocci treatment.

I'm about ready to give up, though obviously i I can't. I'm sure you know the feeling. I have decided for now to let nature take it course without intervening any further. I have spent a fortune on meds, vit., herbs, you name it and they seem no better in the end. This is so out of hand I wake up with nightmares anout one or the other sick chicken and go out in the middle of the night to check on them.

The vet can't figure it out either as he's done 4 necropsies for me and they are all different and unrelated. There is the common cocci thread in all but one, but he doesn't believe that's it in itself.

You are right. The not knowing is the pits. But the flip side is I'm not sure knowing would make anything different or better anyway.

I am not sure I can cull another one myself. It is torture. I have put an ad on craigslist, but no surprise, no takers.

I wonder if an insulin shot would be quick and painless. But wouldn't know how much anyway. Sorry, rant over.

 

[schnebbles]

I'm about to agree with you on letting nature take it's course. It's really hard watching them suffer, knowing that the chances of recovering are slim to none. I was ready to vaccinate, then I read someone else did and their bird died next day. I'm about to do it, and hope for the best. It's so frustrating and sad.

 

[Nambroth]

If the vaccine warns against vaccinating sick birds, then it seems wise not to... I know others have suggested that vaccinating sick birds might help them but I am not sure I understand how it would. The body is already fighting as hard as it possibly can against the virus. I don't understand how vaccinating the turkey Marek's virus at that point would be beneficial, since the point of the vaccine is to help the chicken's body build resistance. The vaccine is not medicine. It is a harmless (to chickens) version of the virus that is given to help build the body's resistance in a "safe" way.

I'm sorry you are both going through this. I understand the want to just give up... I've been there myself. It's heartbreaking. We're here for you!!

 

[schnebbles]

Jennifer - I kind of got to thinking of that. You are basically injecting them with more disease. But, the doctor said it can help. I don't know what to think.

I decided to have my silkie put down today. Her legs were front out and back out and with the weird neck thing yesterday I didn't want to risk her having that happen again at a time when I couldn't get a vet. I hated to do it, but I think she was suffering. Its heart wrenching. It sucks and that's all I can say about it now. I am still going to vaccinate my others.

 

[ranchokelly]

Schnebbles, so sorry.
Who knows if my giving the vaccine did her in, but I have to wonder.
I'm hoping to put the last one down today - a woman down the road said she would help me later this evening. Though first she suggested several things from a book she has that has holistic treatments for paralysis. Garlic, ginger, hot mustard compresses... but I think I'm at the end of my rope for these "cures". She's only getting worse and now seems sad without her sister.

I wish there was a quick and easy and painless way to do this.
Thanks to all of you for the support - it really helps!

 

[ranchokelly]

oh wow... I just noticed some paper whites (daffodils) had started to come up right where my chicken who died like to sit. It looks like it might have been nibbled on, so I looked it up - sure enough, they're poisonous! Poor thing, I wonder if that was what did it.
One more thing to add to the vaccine mystery.

 

[CeeJ]

Si

...

Jennifer - I kind of got to thinking of that.  You are basically injecting them with more disease.  But, the doctor said it can help.  I don't know what to think.

I decided to have my silkie put down today.  Her legs were front out and back out and with the weird neck thing yesterday I didn't want to risk her having that happen again at a time when I couldn't get a vet.  I hated to do it, but I think she was suffering.  Its heart wrenching.  It sucks and that's all I can say about it now.  I am still going to vaccinate my others.  
[/quote

So sorry! It is still hard. Good luck with the vaccinations. I may try that too.

 

[schnebbles]

Thanks. I think I did the right thing.

rancho, that is weird. DId you have more sick birds? I can't remember. I guess you better dig those up to be safe.

 

[Nambroth]

Jennifer - I kind of got to thinking of that. You are basically injecting them with more disease. But, the doctor said it can help. I don't know what to think.

I decided to have my silkie put down today. Her legs were front out and back out and with the weird neck thing yesterday I didn't want to risk her having that happen again at a time when I couldn't get a vet. I hated to do it, but I think she was suffering. Its heart wrenching. It sucks and that's all I can say about it now. I am still going to vaccinate my others.

I'm so sorry about your silkie. I had to have my roo put down and it truly broke our hearts. He was really suffering.

And, you should always listen to a vet before you listen to me. I do a lot of self-education on this stuff but I am in no way formally trained. I'd love to know why the vet thinks it may help. If you find out please let us know.

oh wow... I just noticed some paper whites (daffodils) had started to come up right where my chicken who died like to sit. It looks like it might have been nibbled on, so I looked it up - sure enough, they're poisonous! Poor thing, I wonder if that was what did it.
One more thing to add to the vaccine mystery.

Oh my goodness, yes those suckers can be a strong poison to smaller animals. They can make humans quite sick too, as some people have somehow mistaken the bulbs for onions.
Was it nibbled or definitely some was consumed? Was she in respiratory distress? Poor girl. It could have been a number of things all conspiring at once.

Amaranthaceae (Amaranth Family) - Amaranthus sp. and Narcissus sp.

• Narcissus sp. (Narcissus) - Bulbs contain high levels of calcium oxalate, causing death from respiratory failure.

From: http://www.tgpa.com/Plants.html

 

[schnebbles]

this is the 2nd one I've lost now

I have messaged the doctor a couple times and haven't heard back, I'm wondering if he's away. I might ask him about that.