Older Hen with possible Meraks. Is there a chance of recovery?

[woogies]

About a month ago our 2 year old hen started limping on one foot.

We took her to the vet 3 weeks ago. She had high bacteria count, and swollen GI tract. (Vet thought this was the reason for limping) The next 2 weeks we gave her antibiotics and some other drugs.

1 week ago, she still doesn't use the one leg (holds it forward). And over the last few days she has been moved inside as she has started loosing function in the second leg. Swelling still present in GI tract. She is more or less unable to move or stand correctly. She tends to fall over and can't balance right. she's been spending her time in a chicken sling or wrapped up in a towel donut.

X-rays were clear (no tumors). Blood work looked normal. She will still enthusically eat, drink, talks back to us, and poops normally. Although she has lost some weight. She's still on antibiotics and painkiller/anti-inflammatory. We keep her clean and comfortable.

We don't have experience with Meraks, but the symptoms sure seem like it. And our vet has mentioned it could be that or some other neralogical issue Although I was under the impression that meraks mostly a problem for chicks.

Are we prolonging the inevitable? If this is Meraks, at what point is it safe to assume its more humane to euthanize? Is there realistically any chance of survival with symptoms like this?

 

[C_621]

I have a little over 2 years old hen with similar symptoms I'm pretty certain is Marek's (I have two threads about it if you want to compare). It can happen to older hens, but is much more common before 4 months of age or so. There are some similar illnesses but most are untreatable too, except Vitamin B12 deficiency which is relatively simple to correct.

Normally Marek's is considered untreatable with extremely slim to nonexistent chance of recovery, so culling them humanely is a reasonable decision to prevent needless suffering, especially if they can no longer reach food and water by themselves.

If you want to try to treat her I'd check out this thread (in short, Chinese Skullcap daily for the rest of her life, stronger dose initially). It's not guaranteed to work but they've had some success with the treatment, takes a while for it to start working though. My bird can still move around somewhat, but I'm committed to keep trying with this treatment as long as possible. I've already spent a lot of time and money on vet fees, so continuing with medication for as long as it takes oe she has left seems worth it to me. It's your decision in the end, but untreated Marek's is unlikely to heal, and the potential treatment is fairly new and not guaranteed to help

 

[Eggcessive]

Does she lay eggs? Has she been molting recently? Is her tail position up or down?

 

[woogies]

Her condition has continued to deteriorate rapidly. We are now noticing unusal panting despite being in a mild, well ventilated room.

She hasn't laid for weeks, and our vet put in a hormone blocker, due to some very inflamed overies.

Unfortunately, barring a miracle recovery, we are likely going to the vet tommorow to let her pass in peace; even if it kills us a little inside. I fear if the illness is affecting her respiratory system/throat, it won't be long until she can't eat and suffers even more

 

[C_621]

Her condition has continued to deteriorate rapidly. We are now noticing unusal panting despite being in a mild, well ventilated room.

She hasn't laid for weeks, and our vet put in a hormone blocker, due to some very inflamed overies.

Unfortunately, barring a miracle recovery, we are likely going to the vet tommorow to let her pass in peace; even if it kills us a little inside. I fear if the illness is affecting her respiratory system/throat, it won't be long until she can't eat and suffers even more

My hen started breathing heavily with rattling breath a few days ago too, she breathes normally now after being given a small amount of human cough syrup 2-3 times a day (nothing fancy, mainly contains Bromhexine and used for kids 6+). I don't know what products you have available, but it's worked to fend off milder respiratory conditions in several hens for over a year for me

 

[kbroom]

About a month ago our 2 year old hen started limping on one foot.

We took her to the vet 3 weeks ago. She had high bacteria count, and swollen GI tract. (Vet thought this was the reason for limping) The next 2 weeks we gave her antibiotics and some other drugs.

1 week ago, she still doesn't use the one leg (holds it forward). And over the last few days she has been moved inside as she has started loosing function in the second leg. Swelling still present in GI tract. She is more or less unable to move or stand correctly. She tends to fall over and can't balance right. she's been spending her time in a chicken sling or wrapped up in a towel donut.

X-rays were clear (no tumors). Blood work looked normal. She will still enthusically eat, drink, talks back to us, and poops normally. Although she has lost some weight. She's still on antibiotics and painkiller/anti-inflammatory. We keep her clean and comfortable.

We don't have experience with Meraks, but the symptoms sure seem like it. And our vet has mentioned it could be that or some other neralogical issue Although I was under the impression that meraks mostly a problem for chicks.

Are we prolonging the inevitable? If this is Meraks, at what point is it safe to assume its more humane to euthanize? Is there realistically any chance of survival with symptoms like this?

This may sound a little crazy to you, but have you prayed? I've found that it can work in the strangest cases. Just a thought. I'm so sorry. I know your birds are like your babies. So are mine.

 

[Eggcessive]

Her condition has continued to deteriorate rapidly. We are now noticing unusal panting despite being in a mild, well ventilated room.

She hasn't laid for weeks, and our vet put in a hormone blocker, due to some very inflamed overies.

Unfortunately, barring a miracle recovery, we are likely going to the vet tommorow to let her pass in peace; even if it kills us a little inside. I fear if the illness is affecting her respiratory system/throat, it won't be long until she can't eat and suffers even more

I am sorry that she is worse. It sounds like it has to do with a reproductive disorder. You are fortunate to have a vet who will help. Let us know if she makes it.