Swollen feet and ankles

[cheep cheep]

But why now and why her after all these years?

 

[Eggcessive]

MS is one of the infectious diseases in chickens that makes carriers of the whole flock. If a chicken ever has had it, if the the chickens are not culled and the area disinfected and cleaned, then it will just keep making carriers of all flock members over the years. It could be that she has become stressed and finally has become symptomatic. Tylan 50 injectable may help her symptoms, but it is a chronic disease that doesn't go away.

 

[cheep cheep]

So why did my vet not tell me it was infectious. I knew it was an illness that would last a life time but not that it was infectious. Oh dear. So if this is what she has I have to cull them all? I can't bear to do that. Better surely that they just live out their lives and that I don't get any more hens in the meantime.

 

[mightymax]

My flock has all been exposed to Marek's and while the 'no new chickens' policy is a noble endeavor, it's a very difficult one to ad hear to, IMHO.
As for the mite problem, might (pun intended) I suggest just trying to manage them for awhile, laying off most of the chemicals. You don't want to create a Monster Mite that is
impervious to all caustic agents. It may even do your hens some good to get a rest from the toxins! Of course those are just my opinions. And remember, they were free, so take
them for what they're worth...lol !!!

-kim-

 

[cheep cheep]

Hi Kim aka mightymax? Are you in England? So have you extended your flock since vetting Mareks?

 

[mightymax]

Hi there Cheap Cheap!

No, I'm not in England, although I have vacationed there before. It's delightful !!!
I'm currently located on the Western Coast of the USA. In California, to be exact. The middle of California, very near the coastline, to be even more specific.

And No, I haven't added any new birds since I discovered they were all exposed to it this past March. (well I did add a couple of geese, but they don't get MD, thank goodness) .
That being said, lately I'm finding it very difficult to abstain from purchasing some serama chickens. I think they're just so pretty with all their different colors and patterns!
They (whoever 'They' are) say that MD is ubiquitous and that except for some chickens that are maintained under super strict pathogen-free conditions, all chickens should
be considered infected. IDK. What I do know is that I sure don't want to be the one that believes that statement and buys (or sells) more chickens only to find out 5 years later that 'They' were wrong. That's a lynching I'd rather not attend

!!!

Take Care !!!

-kim-
aka
mightymax

 

[cheep cheep]

Hello again both of you.

So Lottie has been to the vet who says it could be kidney disease or it could be MS. Taking a blood test would only confirm that her kidneys are compromised and wouldn't say the reason. Taking anti inflamatories will make the situation worse if it is kidney disease but help if it is MS. If it is Kidney disease then there is nothing to be done to save her so its worth taking the risk and giving her anti inflamatories because they will help if it is MS. She has also been prescribed the antibiotics you said but in England it is in the form of powder that is added to water. If it is MS she should start to improve within the next 3 to 4 days. She is extremely dehydrated so I have given her 10ml of medicated water already and will give her 10 more before I turn in for the night. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it is MS. In the meantime she is to be nursed indoors and bedded down on a pile of soft towels to make her feet more comfortable.

I'll keep you posted. Thanks for your support.

ps Kim I wondered if you were from England because you said 'lol'. I thought that was an English phrase! Obs not. lol! Where did you visit in England. I have been to America once, the Rocky Mountains for skiing. It was sooooooooooooo cold. My husband has been many, many times with work and wants us to go touring for a few months when he retires in a year's time. I can't bring myself to leave my animals so I don't think that will happen.

 

[Eggcessive]

So why did my vet not tell me it was infectious. I knew it was an illness that would last a life time but not that it was infectious. Oh dear. So if this is what she has I have to cull them all? I can't bear to do that. Better surely that they just live out their lives and that I don't get any more hens in the meantime.

Many people have MS or MG in their flocks, and just close them to any new birds, while never selling or giving away chickens or hatching eggs, since it can pass through the egg. Denagard or tiamulin is a drug your vet could prescribe that is used to treat outbreaks of mycoplasma, but also can be used once a month half strength as a preventative. This may be something you would want to try. When all of your chickens someday have gone, since mycoplasma only lasts in the environment a few days, you could re-populate with baby chicks, and start over.

 

[cheep cheep]

Well I guess that's what we will have to do then but my vet said it stays in the environment for years and years. ???

 

[Eggcessive]

Read this article on MG--it also applies to MS: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps034

Your vet may be thinking of the Mareks disease virus??