Nugget's necropsy results

[gritsar]

Just a dummy newbie still, but don't they have to be vaccinated in the first day of life for Mareks?

Sorry for your loss and the awful results of the necropsy.

 

[Wildsky]

You really need to check wiht your vet. Giving them a vaccine now might be kinda like giving a kid a chicken pox shot when they have it already - not much good.

Are there treatments for it?

 

[CarriBrown]

Quote:
They can be vaccinated, yes. I've heard you can vaccinate older birds that you are bringing in, but once a bird has it, they have it. So, I'm assuming that I'll have to vaccinate birds before I bring them home?

 

[CarriBrown]

Quote:
No treatments, according to some of the things I'm reading online now. I hope the vet calls me back soon!!! I think they close around 6.

 

[speckledhen]

I read up some and you are correct, there are no treatments for it. Here's one short blurb on it:

MD) is caused by a herpes virus that may result in death or severe production loss in both layer and meat chickens. Vaccination will reduce the losses. However, in recent years there has been an increase in Marek’s disease, due to new strains of virus and faster growing, more susceptible birds.

Marek’s disease is a problem in many household flocks, especially those which are not vaccinated at day old. It causes changes in many of the nerves and may cause tumours in the major internal organs (ovary, liver, kidney, heart and spleen).

Methods of spread - The virus remains alive in the environment for as long as eight months. It is shed from the feather follicles and spread in fluff. The virus gains entry when the bird breathes infected dust particles. Marek’s disease is not spread through eggs. The virus is highly infectious and, once it is present in a flock, it spreads rapidly to unvaccinated poultry. Healthy birds can be carriers and infect others.

What a terrible stress and worry for you, Carrie!​

 

[seminolewind]

Oh no. I am so sorry. I hope your other birds are okay. I thought they could develop their own immunity.

 

[TheOLDNewChick]

:aww I'm sorry Carri! That is strange, though.. I kinda hope is was a misdiagnoses.. Just nothing worse spreading. I wish there was something I could do for you.. Prayers the rest of your flock is okay.

 

[tazcat70]

Carri,

I am sorry to hear about the results. Hopefully your vet will contact you ASAP, to help you with the rest of your flock.

 

[speckledhen]

Carrie, did Nugget have any paralysis at all? I wonder if they diagnosed it as Mareks and its really a similar one-check this out:

Mareks usually hits between 5 and 25 weeks of age, but can appear even later if the bird had 'latent' MD and is substantially stressed. However, if the bird is a few years old, I would suspect a similar disease called Lymphoid Leukosis (which does pass to the egg). Both diseases will produce internal lesions (or tumors), detectable upon post mortem examination, but LL does not produce paralysis.

Im sure you'll let us know what the vet says. I'm so sorry about Nugget, no matter how you lost her, but now I hate that you have to worry about the rest of your flock. Dang.​

 

[JaciesCoop]

Oh MY! Carri, I'm so sorry about the results. But one thing is there are a lot of people on here that can direct you in the right way.
Take care of yourself while you're handling all this.

Jacie