Older hen with paralyzed leg - Marek's or ??

[keesmom]

I have a 4 1/2 year old black sex link hen who suddenly cannot walk. It seems one leg is paralyzed.

I cannot say 100% that she was vaccinated as a chick for Marek's. It's been a while.

She's in with a group of 20 other layers and one old roo. They're allowed to free range at least part of the day. She seemed fine yesterday morning. She has no other obvious symptoms - no coughing, sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, wheezing, lesions or anything else I can think of. Her weight seems fine and she has been laying up until now. None of the others in the flock are affected and no one else is showing symptoms of anything either.

There was no improvement in her condition overnight.

Could this be Marek's in an older bird (over 4 years old)? An injury? Any other illnesses I haven't thought of? In the more than 4 years we've had them we've never had an illness of any sort so I'm at a loss.

-Cindy in MA

 

[dlhunicorn]

I doubt very much if it Mareks at this age... Many things can cause pressure on the sciatic nerve altho an injury to a bird that may have osteporosis might also be the culprit...
Separate her to limit movement and to monitor further symptoms.

 

[keesmom]

I put her outside for a while to see how she was doing. She hasn't improved much but still manages to get around. It doesn't really seem to be paralysis after all - she just can't put weight on that leg. She can still move her leg and the toes. She was also happy to soak up the sun and roll around in their latest favorite dirt hole. I can't find any indications of an injury. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

-Cindy