update mareks: hungry 4 mo old rooster cant stand up

[lalaland]

I have a 4 mo old legbar rooster. Last night I thought he looked a bit fluffed up but it was getting cold. He was moving fine.

This morning I found him on the floor of the coop. He can't stand. He isn't moving his legs or wings, head is fine. eyes are bright, comb is red. He has a great appetite. Kind of rolls back on his hocks. He can move his head to get to the food, tries to move his body but can't. when I picked him up, his toes curled around my hand.

I lost his hatchling sibling about 5 weeks ago, was sick one day and gone the next, but she didn't have any appetite and was hunched up. Not sure if this is related or not.

I have given him polysci vitamins and he has eaten a whole egg.

Now what?

 

[Eggcessive]

Could botulism be a problem? It comes from botulinum toxin in animal or fish carcasses and rotting vegetation. Generally, it causes paralysis from feet to wings, then neck, causing the chicken to not be able to lift the head off the ground. Eventually, the breathing muscles can be paralyzed, and death can occur in 12-24 hours. Chickens living 48 hours will usually survive with good care, helping them eat and drink. Hopefully, it's not that, and only a vitamin or temporary problem. With neurological signs, Mareks disease may also be a possibility, as well as poisoning from mold in feed, lead or chemical poisoning. Coccidiosis can sometimes look like a neurological disease, just from the weakness of an electrolyte imbalance and dehydration.

 

[lalaland]

no animal /meat rotting, but it is fall, damp and there are weeds/leaves in the run that are starting to decay. About normal for this time of the year. Not standing rotting piles or anything, but...

Will have to read up on what to do for that....but what I've read so far seems to coincide with that. so do some other things.

 

[Eggcessive]

An epsom salt flush can be done if one is sure about it being botulism or poisoning, but I'm always very reluctant to recommend it when not sure, since it will cause diarrhea and dehydration which may further sicken a bird if that is not the problem. Below are some links to read about botulism, and a good one about Mareks which includes lookalike diseases: http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/poultry/botulism/overview_of_botulism_in_poultry.html
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/19/botulism
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq

 

[lalaland]

thank you.

He just started the classic marek's split - one leg in front, one leg in back. I've had chickens for more than 15 years without ever having mareks, and now I feel so awful.

This is a struggle. It sounds as if Mareks will be here for virtually forever - virus lives for years and years, and the whole flock has now been exposed.

the great big mareks page is very informative. I will try the hypericum but feel like throwing up.

 

[Eggcessive]

I'm so sorry to hear that. You can't diagnose Mareks for sure without a necropsy. I would contact your state vet or the MN Dept. of Agriculture to find out how to get one done. You also have to specify for Mareks testing.

University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
1333 Gortner Ave, 244 Vet D L
St. Paul, Minnesota 55108
Phone: 612-625-8787 Fax 612-624-8707

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are a couple of other links about Mareks. Nambroth, who wrote the Mareks Faq is pretty knowledgeable about the disease, and would probably be a good source for information if she sees this, or if you PM her. I know that a lot of people get blood testing done at Texas A & M for Mareks at about $30, but your local vet would probably need to draw the blood. Seminole Wind and Casportpony are also quite knowledgeable about the disease. Here are the links:
http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/#/disease/Marek's_Disease
http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource000791_Rep813.pdf
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/741957/not-an-emergency-mareks-in-the-flock

 

[lalaland]

thank you eggcessive -
i've started the long 2000 thread not an emergency mareks in flock. it is heartbreaking and useful at the same time.

the rest of the flock seems fine but includes pullets that are about the same age that hatched out in the flock...plus one remaining legbar.

 

[JensChickies]

thank you.

He just started the classic marek's split - one leg in front, one leg in back.  I've had chickens for more than 15 years without ever having mareks, and now I feel so awful.  

This is a struggle.  It sounds as if Mareks will be here for virtually forever - virus lives for years and years, and the whole flock has now been exposed.  

the great big mareks page is very informative.  I will try the hypericum but feel like throwing up.

Awwww I'm sorry. There are diseases that mimic Mereks. I'm sure sorry though.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...breeding-for-resistance-to-mareks-disease/240
This thread helped me. It gave me some support and you can see everyone's frustration with MD.

 

[casportpony]

Coccidiosis and worms can also cause paralysis, so if he were mine I would treat with Corid and Safeguard to rule them out.

The Safeguard dose I would use is 0.5ml per 2.2 pounds orally for five days
Corid dosing info in my sig.

-Kathy