Vet says Mareks... 2 girls down... another sick. I am DEVASTATED.

[kattfink]

Back from a vet trip without my 2 girls.. They had to be euthanised. One had become lethargic, sleeping standing up, not perching. The other, a rescue from cage farm, always had a limp and very funny looking. Her limp had worsened so off to the vet with them both. The vet said more than likely Chewy (rescue girl) had mareks when we got her, and Crystal was in terrible condition with barely any meat on her. This shocked the crap out of me as she was totally fine a week ago. I blubbered my way through a goodbye to them both
I have cleaned the coop thoroughly and been watching my remaining 8 girls carefully. Another seems off since yesterday... Chungus (named by 9 yr old son) is starting to fluff up and sit with her eyes closed. Not eating as much, yellow diarrhoea. She is also one of the rescue hens we have had for 4 months. Her comb flops right over which I thought was enduring, but could this be also a mareks symptom?
I'm thinking of taking her to a bird specialist vet, which will cost a fortune. I just can't watch them all die one by one.
I need advice!!!
Sorry for rambling....
Thanks in advance.

 

[NNYchick]

Is the vet going to send them to lab to confirm the mareks diagnosis? If it was me I would want to know definitely.

 

[kattfink]

Damn.. They didn't mention that as an option and I was too hysterical to think that intelligently.

 

[kattfink]

Is the vet going to send them to lab to confirm the mareks diagnosis? If it was me I would want to know definitely.

She is booked in to see the vet this afternoon.
If it is the same scenario I will ask for her to be sent to the lab.

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

I would send one of the sadly passed birds to a testing site to determine for sure if it was Mareks. I would quarantine any birds showing symptoms instantly, though the whole flock is probably infected by now. I’m so sorry you had to deal with this. Hugs.