suggested testing

[getreal]

I have a silkie roo that is dying. I have done everything I can for him. My husband will be doing the "deed" soon. I want to send in some blood samples for testing but not sure what to test for. I have been researching and quite frankly am getting a migraine trying to figure it out. So here are the symptoms, unable to stand or walk. sits with feet out in front of him. for awhile his wings would stiffen out. now wings drooping. shakes head. refuses water, now refuses food. poop is totally green now. it started out gradually, I noticed he was off balance, and would sit back on his hocks. I took him in right away and started him on vitamins, thinking it was the start of wry neck. I have had a few others die like this over the past few years. It's a mystery to me. I had one tested for mareks and was negative. I found this place RAL that does testing but you have to specify what to test for. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I'm at a total loss here. What about Equine Encephalitis?

 

[Eggcessive]

That sounds very much like Mareks to me. I would get a necropsy by your state vet who will be able to test for Mareks if you request it. They would also test for other diseases if anything appears suspicious. I have heard of others who have had negative Mareks, only to later have a positive. There is one lab in Texas that does a PCR test for Mareks on some blood serum for $20 on a live bird. You could apcontact them for more info:
http://www.vetdna.com/application/forms/aviansubmittalform.pdf
Your state vet would need to receive a body for necropsy M-F, so it would need to be shipped overnight via UPS or Fedex or delivered yourself. Here is the link for your state vet:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm
A local vet might be helpful if there are certain tests you would like. Another national lab in CA, Zoologix, will do a respiratory disease panel.

 

[Heatherella]

I have recently done a lot of research on Marek’s Disease because a friend has a few chickens that survived it and I was so worried I could have carried it home from her house. What you’re describing sounds very much like everything I’ve read about Marek’s. I’m sorry. I hope that isn’t the case. Marek’s is a terrible virus. Best of luck!

 

[getreal]

I’m thinking that myself but I can’t afford the $200 the state lab wants for a necropsy. Maybe I’ll try sending another sample in to this company. Last time I sent in a stool sample because she had died before I could get blood. This time I took blood. They charge $20 per sample.

 

[Heatherella]

I really feel for you and your flock. I hope this is the end of it and you don’t lose anymore chickens.