Rooster sick...then better....then sick...then better...sick again! What the heck?

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Hi,if you haven't yet determined what the malady is causing issues with your Rooster,have u considered Avian Pasteuellosis?
Early symptoms are green diarrhea or stool,they often present with localised infections in foot pads,hock joints,sternal bursa,pneumatoic bones,peritoneal cavity,etc.The wattles can swell if chronic,its much more common in Roos. I m thinking
that Avian or Fowl Cholera IS the same as Avian Pasteurellosis, also called Avian Hemorrhagic Septicemia,correct me if I m wrong.It sounds as if it may be often mixed up with Avian Influenza.It can come with wet weather,and can be treated with ABX...
 
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I'm wondering if my guy rallies for a third time and returns to normal could I give him anti-viral supplements to prevent another relapse? I'm thinking of things like lysine, lemon balm, zinc, garlic - or is Merek's a death sentence, period (you can see that I'm still happily living in denial)?
As predicted he seems like he's slowly on the mend.

Also, in the future will I need to vaccinate any new birds coming onto the property if they're under a year-ish? Does this also mean my hens, who are at least 3 or 4 yrs old, are carriers? Could they end up getting the disease if they get run down, say, during molting? I understand this is a type of herpes virus and I'm just thinking of people getting cold sores or shingles when stressed.
 
Stress is the number one factor in bringing out Marek's in older birds and carriers. If this is Marek's, the only birds you will be able to bring onto your property safely are:

1. Older birds that were vaccinated as chicks.
2. Eggs to hatch yourself then vaccinate at day 1 and isolate until at least 2 weeks old or better yet, 6 -12 weeks.
3. Chicks that have been vaccinated prior to arrival then, follow isolation as in #2

If he rallies again, it certainly wouldn't hurt to hit him with everything you can...if it is safe to give to chickens! Marek's for the most part is a death sentence. You can keep them going but in the end, it will win :( Unless, you can get him to stay in remission and symptom free.
 
This is some good information. I've been battling Mareks in one pen of birds that has been vaccinated for Mareks. I've had to put down 7 birds with Mareks symptoms.

I hope you figure out what's going on with the lil guy.
 
Thanks so much for all of the advice and information - much appreciated.

I'm a little confused about the vaccination. Is it not effective past a certain point? I thought the rooster was over a year but after speaking to his original owner, he's about a year old now. I realise age isn't automatically some sort of magical protection, but most of what I read says it effects young birds.
 
Age is no protection against Marek's. I wish they would drop that age thing in the Marek's description. I've lost birds from 11 weeks to 14 months old. Age doesn't seem to matter. The vaccine is best when administered before the bird is exposed to Marek's. Most times, by day 1. I am going to revaccinate all my flock yearly since some European countries follow this schedule with some success. Vaccination isn't a sure fire prevention. At best, it is only 90% effective and only protects against the tumor formation. At this point, it is the best that we have to help put a halt to this deadly disease.
 
Well, he's almost completely back to normal AGAIN! I'm going to experiment a little and continue to give him supplements... Watch this space and thanks so much for all of the information.
 

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