Strange symptoms, please help! Bruising? Even vet is stumped

[ChickieChick04]

One week ago today, my 4 month old speckled Sussex pullet presented with periorbital swelling and her wattles and comb were swollen. I wasn’t shocked, my flock was hit with Coryza and mycoplasma synoviae from chickens that didn’t show signs during quarantine.

I took her to my vet, and her fecal float was positive for coccidia so we did a 5 day course of liquid Sulfatramin/Bactrim to cure the coccidia and remedy any secondary respiratory infections. My vet also had me do 3 days of dexamethasone orally for the swelling.

Important note — her comb had developed a purple hue by day 3 from the swelling, I assumed bruising from pressure.

fast-forward to last night when I went to do my second check of the day and change her water, I noticed the tips of her comb had gone from purple to black. I immediately picked her up for further examination and noticed her legs are now mottled looking, I’m unsure if this is bruising or pooling blood. The centers of the purple splotches on her legs are grey. I called my vets on call line because I was concerned It was an emergency, and I was told if it is something like internal bleeding there is nothing that we can do and this is kind of a wait-and-see type thing.

When my flock first got sick, the sickest bird was swabbed and that’s how we knew we had mycoplasma and coryza, The PCR came back negative for avian influenza.

Has anyone seen this before?
The vet did suggest I give her subcutaneous fluids, which I have been giving her 10ML lactated ringers once a day, I will be bumping that to 2x a day. Other than her strange appearance, she is acting completely normal, eating drinking and fully alert.

I am so perplexed by this. If she ends up passing, I will do a necropsy, but I would like to get her through this. She’s a sweet girl.

The first photo I will attach is her one week ago before he comb began changing. The rest of the photos are from last night.

 

[coach723]

It all may be related to the MS infection. Depending on the test done originally, there is the possibility that MG is also present. A few resources, the first is an AI repsonse followed by some more academic links:

The systemic effects of Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) in chickens include inflammation and damage to multiple organs, which can lead to infectious synovitis (swollen joints), airsacculitis, and in severe cases, affect the spleen, liver, heart, and brain.

https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/case-studies/mycoplasmosis-in-backyard-chicken-flocks/

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03079450500058646

https://www.msdvetmanual.com/poultry/mycoplasmosis/mycoplasma-synoviae-infection-in-poultry

I have no personal experience (at least so far) with MS or MG, but have read a fair amount since it's so common. It also really weakens their immune systems, leaving them vulnerable to other things much easier.

 

[FunClucks]

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. Whenever I see a comb like that I think circulatory issues, meaning there's usually something wrong with their heart. Combined with what's going on with her legs, definitely something affecting the circulatory system, among other things. It looks like internal bleeding is probable. Coach723 and your vet have given you some great information.

If you haven't already, you may want to prepare yourself for her to pass.

If you're able to post autopsy results on here, it could help someone else with a MS affected flock.

Seems like it's always the sweetest ones that we lose. I'm sorry.

 

[ChickieChick04]

It all may be related to the MS infection. Depending on the test done originally, there is the possibility that MG is also present. A few resources, the first is an AI repsonse followed by some more academic links:

The systemic effects of Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) in chickens include inflammation and damage to multiple organs, which can lead to infectious synovitis (swollen joints), airsacculitis, and in severe cases, affect the spleen, liver, heart, and brain.

https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/case-studies/mycoplasmosis-in-backyard-chicken-flocks/

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03079450500058646

https://www.msdvetmanual.com/poultry/mycoplasmosis/mycoplasma-synoviae-infection-in-poultry

I have no personal experience (at least so far) with MS or MG, but have read a fair amount since it's so common. It also really weakens their immune systems, leaving them vulnerable to other things much easier.

We did have MS and MG tested for, MG was negative only MS positive. I’ll attach results. Thank you so much for the resources!

I’m just so surprised to see the necrosis. Do you think her legs will become necrotic as well at the mottled locations? I’m not sure if im going to have to cull or not.

Such a disappointment, I rescued a cross beak bird from the Amish and quarantined for a month but she showed no symptoms in that time and then my whole flock exploded in sickness when they were introduced

 

[ChickieChick04]

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. Whenever I see a comb like that I think circulatory issues, meaning there's usually something wrong with their heart. Combined with what's going on with her legs, definitely something affecting the circulatory system, among other things. It looks like internal bleeding is probable. Coach723 and your vet have given you some great information.

If you haven't already, you may want to prepare yourself for her to pass.

If you're able to post autopsy results on here, it could help someone else with a MS affected flock.

Seems like it's always the sweetest ones that we lose. I'm sorry.

Thank you so so much.

I’m very prepared for her passing, and so sad about it but I’m figuring it’s inevitable. Our vet doesn’t think she’s internally bleeding but I’m having a hard time agreeing with her with the onset of symptoms. I’m going to do comfort care and just hope for the best but am very much prepared for the worst. She seems so happy still though, so as long as her spirits are up I’ll keep letting her do her thing in isolation.

I posted our respiratory panel results above, and if she passes or we end up humanely euthanizing I will absolutely return with necropsy results as well.