Vet suspects Marek’s - what to do??

[uisceros]

Hi all,

I have a ten month old Serama rooster that has been acting odd. It seems like one of his wings is paralyzed, and he’s off balance. He still eats and drinks, but has lost weight. I bought him from a local breeder, so I don’t believe he was vaccinated (though most of my flock is)

I brought him to my vet today and after some x-rays, they suspect Marek’s.

Is there anything I can do? He is currently living with three Serama hens (all probably not vaccinated). None of them are showing symptoms.

I have 12 standard chickens in a separate coop. 10 of them are definitely vaccinated, but I don’t think two of them are.

How should I handle this? I’m new to keeping chickens, so I have no clue what to do.

My plan right now is to separate him from the hens, but should I even worry about cross contamination since he obviously has had it for awhile meaning all the other chickens have probably been exposed.

Is there anything I can do for him? I love this little guy, so obviously I am quite upset.

Thanks!

 

[azygous]

Yes, your flock has all been exposed if, in fact, this is Marek's, so separating the roo won't accomplish anything. But the only certain method for diagnosing it would be a necropsy to identify sciatic nerve inflammation, the classic indicator of the virus.

There are other reasons for his symptoms, though, and you can try treating them to see if he improves. Vitamin E and B-complex can correct deficiencies responsible for such symptoms. It's easy enough to give these each day for a month and watch to see if it helps the symptoms. If it doesn't, then the case for Marek's is stronger.

 

[uisceros]

Yes, your flock has all been exposed if, in fact, this is Marek's, so separating the roo won't accomplish anything. But the only certain method for diagnosing it would be a necropsy to identify sciatic nerve inflammation, the classic indicator of the virus.

There are other reasons for his symptoms, though, and you can try treating them to see if he improves. Vitamin E and B-complex can correct deficiencies responsible for such symptoms. It's easy enough to give these each day for a month and watch to see if it helps the symptoms. If it doesn't, then the case for Marek's is stronger.

Thanks for confirming I don’t need to separate him - it would have broken my heart to take him away from his girls. I figure even the other flock is exposed since I definitely haven’t been disinfecting my hands going between them (they used to be a mixed flock too, but the Seramas were being picked on too much, thus the separation).

I’m going to try nutridrench. I added vitamins and electrolytes to his water a few days ago, but I can try boosting him with some extra stuff too.

If he does have Marek’s I’ll give him the best life I can during his time. He’s a good little roo!

Thanks!

 

[bhawk-23]

Hopefully it is a deficiency as @azygous has said. I have used the vitamin E and b-complex as she suggested with good results.

We just lost our two Serama girls a couple weeks ago to Mareks. If it is Mareks then keeping everyone happy, stress free and feeding a well balanced diet is a good place to start. Then treat for any symptoms you see the best you can. Stress, poor nutrition or cramped conditions all lower immune systems and that is when the mareks disease can really get a hold.
If you do lose a chicken, definitely bring them in for a necropsy.

Can I ask what the X-ray showed that made the dr suspicious of Mareks? Just out of curiosity tbo.

 

[uisceros]

Hopefully it is a deficiency as @azygous has said. I have used the vitamin E and b-complex as she suggested with good results.

We just lost our two Serama girls a couple weeks ago to Mareks. If it is Mareks then keeping everyone happy, stress free and feeding a well balanced diet is a good place to start. Then treat for any symptoms you see the best you can. Stress, poor nutrition or cramped conditions all lower immune systems and that is when the mareks disease can really get a hold.
If you do lose a chicken, definitely bring them in for a necropsy.

Can I ask what the X-ray showed that made the dr suspicious of Mareks? Just out of curiosity tbo.

Right now my little rooster is still hanging on. I’ve been supplementing with nutridrench (administered directly based on his weight), vitamin B12 and multivitamin in his water, and crushed up vitamin B complex tablets. I also just bought some rooster booster vitamin and mineral supplement.

I haven’t seen any improvement as of yet. I assume this is just going to be his life from now on. Luckily he still eats happily, drinks, and while his right wing and side are paralyzed, he still has use of his leg which helps him get around a bit. I am looking into getting him a chair to use, as other than being paralyzed, he is acting okay.

I think it might have been the stress of moving them from their outside enclosure to indoors for the winter that caused the flare up. Luckily none of my other chickens are showing signs of illness. I did just have two baby Seramas hatch (the broody girls started incubating them before I knew my rooster was sick), so of course I’m worried about them, but what can you do.

The reason the vet suspected Marek’s after the x-ray was that she saw no obvious issues of why he would be lame (no breaks, tears, etc). That was why we assumed Marek’s. She did say she is not a chicken expert (I live in New England suburbs, so not a lot of livestock/poultry vets around), so who knows at this point!

 

[bhawk-23]

I had two inside over the weekend. One’s motor ability started declining fast late afternoon yesterday. We made the decision to euthanize her because she was struggling to walk well and laying on her side more and more. Unfortunately, her sister is now heading down that same path. She is inside in warmth and good company so that always helps, at least me.

I’m sorry you do not have specific answers or diagnosis. If your girls just hatched chicks I wonder if that will help figure things out.

Interesting about the X-ray, thank you.