SmiYa0126
Crowing
Ugh I'm sorry, does lymphoma always mean Marek's?
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First off, apologies for quoting the wrong member last night. That will teach me to try to use my tablet while in bed to reply.So the final report came back, it is the dreaded Marek’s. What do I do for my remaining flock now? Everyone appears to be acting normal. I also saw that they found a roundworm in the intestine. I’m getting safeguard paste tomorrow.
Thank you so much. You have no idea how much your article and your words meant to me. I was shocked for a couple of days trying to figure out my next move. Having something I can’t control and can’t cure is debilitating to me on top of the several virus outbreaks that cost so many lives in the small vet practice I work at. My goal now is to keep them as happy and well fed as much as I can. It’s devastating having this happen to me after researching for 2 years and only getting my first flock of 9 (now down to 7). Thank you so very much. @Wyorp Rock Thank you so much for all your help throughout this whole ordeal too. I feel like I’ve found some real friends in this site.First off, apologies for quoting the wrong member last night. That will teach me to try to use my tablet while in bed to reply.
Secondly, I'm so sorry to hear that your final diagnosis is Marek's. Makes sense though given the age of your flock and a diagnosis of reproductive cancer along with the symptoms.
My flock developed symptoms when they were just a year old and the next three years were hell on earth so I know what you are feeling right now and what you are going through.
I won't mislead you. It will get worse, then it will get better. Just don' t give up. Your surviving birds will be resistant to Marek's disease and you can breed resistant birds from your survivors.
First off, close your flock. No unvaccinated birds in and no birds out. Your entire flock has been exposed and are now carriers, meaning they can spread the disease through their dander and bodily fluids.
I won't repeat my experiences. I pretty much covered everything in my article but I will say this. Marek's isn't the end of keeping chickens. The disease is everywhere and you did nothing to endanger your flock or make them sick. The virus is air born in bird dander and even wild birds can carry it so unless you can put your property under a dome, there is no escaping it other than to raise resistant birds or vaccinated birds.
I know a lot of people here frown on vaccination but in all honesty, until you have walked in the shoes of a flock owner who is having to cull one or two birds a week due to this horrible disease and feel the heartbreak and sorrow they are feeling, you truly do not understand how devastating this disease is. Sometimes, vaccinating is the only way you will be able to add birds to your flock if you so desire. That or adding genetically resistant birds like Egyptian Fayoumis (which I did) or birds like Naked Necks. At least that is what I discovered personally
Unfortunately birds like Silkies, Orpingtons, Welsummers to name a few along with Sebrights are all at the top of the list when it comes to susceptibility. All popular back yard flock birds.
What should you do with your flock now? Wait. Hang on, keep them as healthy and well fed as you can and see what happens next. You will lose more birds. How many? I don't know. I lost 2/3rds of my flock before the purge stopped and it's been 4 years since I've lost a bird that I could point a finger at and say 'Marek's Disease'. But I know it's out there. I know my flock is exposed and carriers but that isn't stopping me from keeping birds and it shouldn't stop anyone.
As @Wyorp Rock said, I am glad to answer any questions you might have, now or in the future. Just tag me, quote me or PM me. I may not be on every day but I am on the forum fairly regularly so I will check my alerts and pm box.
Just hang in there and know you are not alone in this. There is a big club of folks with MD here on BYC. It's one that nobody wants to belong to but we are all here to help one another.
Blessings.
Becky
Thank you so much. You have no idea how much your article and your words meant to me. I was shocked for a couple of days trying to figure out my next move. Having something I can’t control and can’t cure is debilitating to me on top of the several virus outbreaks that cost so many lives in the small vet practice I work at. My goal now is to keep them as happy and well fed as much as I can. It’s devastating having this happen to me after researching for 2 years and only getting my first flock of 9 (now down to 7). Thank you so very much. @Wyorp Rock Thank you so much for all your help throughout this whole ordeal too. I feel like I’ve found some real friends in this site.
No problem. That is what it is all about, helping one another.Thank you so much. You have no idea how much your article and your words meant to me. I was shocked for a couple of days trying to figure out my next move. Having something I can’t control and can’t cure is debilitating to me on top of the several virus outbreaks that cost so many lives in the small vet practice I work at. My goal now is to keep them as happy and well fed as much as I can. It’s devastating having this happen to me after researching for 2 years and only getting my first flock of 9 (now down to 7). Thank you so very much. @Wyorp Rock Thank you so much for all your help throughout this whole ordeal too. I feel like I’ve found some real friends in this site.