Testing for Marek's in CA

[Bree Tree]

Hello Chicken loving folks! I've been dealing with what seems to be Marek's disease spreading through my flock. I've spoken with a few vet's in the area and called UC Davis. One of my poor chickens has been paralyzed for over a week now, won't eat unless I syringe feed her, I feel euthanizing her is the best option for her.

At this point I'm just searching for somewhere in CA where I can send her body to get tested (necropsy) to know for sure what I'm dealing with. I would love a link or a phone number. I have been scouring the web to no avail as of yet. We lost one already, one had been quarantined due to paralysis and getting pecked by her sisters.

3 others are starting to show signs of stress, difficulty breathing and limping. HELP! I inherited them a couple months ago from the previous owners of the place we moved into. They are older, only 1 or 2 out of now 6(was 7), give me eggs still. But we have already grown to care for them, and as new chicken owners feel quite out of our element just starting up. I've already treated them for lice and gleet. They were sadly not taken care of before and I fear having to cull the whole flock. I really have come to care for them, and they have been so happy since we moved in and got them healthy again.

 

[Kiki]

@casportpony should have this info for u.

 

[casportpony]

Hello Chicken loving folks! I've been dealing with what seems to be Marek's disease spreading through my flock. I've spoken with a few vet's in the area and called UC Davis. One of my poor chickens has been paralyzed for over a week now, won't eat unless I syringe feed her, I feel euthanizing her is the best option for her.

At this point I'm just searching for somewhere in CA where I can send her body to get tested (necropsy) to know for sure what I'm dealing with. I would love a link or a phone number. I have been scouring the web to no avail as of yet. We lost one already, one had been quarantined due to paralysis and getting pecked by her sisters.

3 others are starting to show signs of stress, difficulty breathing and limping. HELP! I inherited them a couple months ago from the previous owners of the place we moved into. They are older, only 1 or 2 out of now 6(was 7), give me eggs still. But we have already grown to care for them, and as new chicken owners feel quite out of our element just starting up. I've already treated them for lice and gleet. They were sadly not taken care of before and I fear having to cull the whole flock. I really have come to care for them, and they have been so happy since we moved in and got them healthy again.

The two labs closest to you are Davis and Turlock.
http://cahfs.ucdavis.edu/

 

[casportpony]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures.799747/

 

[Bree Tree]

thank you for the links!! and the link for how to package my poor feathered friend when I send her off for testing.

I've already spoken with the Avian Specialist at UC Davis and she was unaware they tested for Marek's there, but maybe its a different department since she will be deceased when I send her off. I will look into all the links you offered. Thank you so much for your help and quick response!! so much appreciated!

 

[Kiki]

Please keep us updated here on this thread as to what the test results come with, if/when you do need to send her.

 

[casportpony]

thank you for the links!! and the link for how to package my poor feathered friend when I send her off for testing.

I've already spoken with the Avian Specialist at UC Davis and she was unaware they tested for Marek's there, but maybe its a different department since she will be deceased when I send her off. I will look into all the links you offered. Thank you so much for your help and quick response!! so much appreciated!

Sorry she is ill. If you are going to FedEx her may I suggest that you send her to the Tulare lab attn: Dr Shivaprasad?

 

[casportpony]

By Marek's testing, do you mean the Marek"s blood test? If so, I don't think Davis does that, but they doing other forms of testing for it.

 

[Bree Tree]

alright, so I called around and spoke with the lab in Davis. It was a different department since it will be a necropsy, thanks for the correct link so I could call the right department. This makes me sad to loose her, but will make me more at ease to have actual diagnosis, and that they will euthanize her with a shot, so I don't have to do it. I don't think I'm ready for that yet!

I have an appointment Monday to take her in myself to Davis and they will do the test for me. I'm feeling a little upset that I will have to kill her to find out, if it's not Marek's what could be causing these symptoms: paralysis, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, signs of stress(loss of feathers), not eating or drinking. The others are showing signs of difficulty breathing, loss of feathers/bald spots, one is limping.

I will check back to let you know results or if anything changes with my feathery friends. Thanks for your concerns and help! I am so appreciative of this forum! <3

 

[biophiliac]

alright, so I called around and spoke with the lab in Davis. It was a different department since it will be a necropsy, thanks for the correct link so I could call the right department. This makes me sad to loose her, but will make me more at ease to have actual diagnosis, and that they will euthanize her with a shot, so I don't have to do it. I don't think I'm ready for that yet!

I have an appointment Monday to take her in myself to Davis and they will do the test for me. I'm feeling a little upset that I will have to kill her to find out, if it's not Marek's what could be causing these symptoms: paralysis, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, signs of stress(loss of feathers), not eating or drinking. The others are showing signs of difficulty breathing, loss of feathers/bald spots, one is limping.

I will check back to let you know results or if anything changes with my feathery friends. Thanks for your concerns and help! I am so appreciative of this forum! <3

Sorry for your trouble. Stay strong.