According to the histology, your bird had cancer of the lymphoid type. Part of the tumors were necrotis. The digestive system's tough layer (in the gizzard, the tough inner lining) was eroded and no longer tough and there was too much bile in there indicating the digestive system was shutting down. Cocci were present, but I'm betting they were secondary to the cancer and the degenerative issues in the digestive tract. Once a digestive tract and immunity is compromised, a bird's immune system will no longer function normally and things like this will effect it.
Looks like he's saying your bird died of cancer (Marek's, thank God rather than Leukosis) and that the other issues were secondary.
I wouldn't long-term treat for coccidiosis with medicated feeds. The problem was the cancer, not cocci. Instead I would do it once (Corrid), and then make a habit of boosting their immune system and digestive system health with probiotics. You can use plain yogurt for this if your birds like it. It contains the only bacteria proven to colonize from an external source, L. acidophilus. You could alternately use Probios or another probiotic product. I would make good and sure that your birds always have appropriately sized granite grit to supply their gizzards to prevent overwear of the kaolin layer and erosion. Once a month, I would use a pH adjuster like 2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar in their water to make sure the pH of their gut is beneficial both to the lining of their digestive tracts as well as beneficial to the good bacteria that you want to be strong in their guts.
I would work on environmental issues rather than medicating. I'm always confused why vets choose to say to medicate instead of attacking the problem at hand: environment. Coccidiosis is an environmental issue - they bloom in soils (they hate sand), they are more frequent in hay/straw (they hate dry pine shavings), and if you keep an area very dry, airy, and clean and boost their gut bacteria with yogurt, you won't have cocci issues - period. The few they encounter, they'll develop a healthy immunity that will function as long as the bird isn't immune-compromised (as it would be by cancer).
On that, I would also consider feeding turmeric once a week at least. You can get it bulk inexpensively. I bought mine from First State. Turmeric is being looked at as an aid against cancers and is good against inflammation. The precursor to cancer is often inflammatory cells, you see. So if you had a marek's bird, I'd consider a twice-monthly at least treatment with probiotics, vitamin E (anti-oxidant), turmeric, and OACV.
Then you just have to keep your eyes open. Watch for any birds with ocular changes (color changes, pupil shape and responsiveness, etc) and any signs of neurological problems (dragging leg, etc - Marek's is a "flaccid" paralysis meaning feet won't clutch, etc).
As for disinfection, you can't. Marek's is spread by feather dander and you simply cannot get it all. If you'd like to hedge your bets, I believe that Virkon-S (the one specifically with the S) is the only product that lists Marek's virus on its label. Oxine does not, so don't let people tell you that it does - because it doesn't.
Lice also can lower immunities - so yes, keep doing the 7 day treatment on that twice.
On the cocci, again I'd go with environmental changes because you can treat for cocci, but they'll only remain a problem if the environment isn't dried up.
As for a completely closed flock, honestly there are more cases of Marek's out there that never get diagnosed. I would quarantine, yes - 30 days. The most important thing for Marek's, however, is this:
First, vaccinate all one-day-old babies and then booster them. However, a vaccine won't give you even the slightest protection if young birds are put in with old ones. Their immune systems are too challenged to allow the vaccines to work. So for new birds, keep ages separate.
I group them like this here: Broodies, young feathered birds under 2 months, young feathered birds under 4 months, birds over 4 months. I had Marek's here, active (twice) and I found sticking to this routine disallowed its spread rather effectively with vaccinated birds.
If you keep babies apart from adults, off the same ground, they aren't as challenged and their initial and booster vaccinations will stick and disallow the bird from developing most of the problematic issues of Marek's: neurological damage, tumors, ocular changes. I keep broodies completely apart from adults, 2-4 months share the same air but not the same ground ever ever ever, and four months old get introduced to the same ground. It just takes a little planning.
Here are two articles on vaccination, and a good healthy dose of reality from ShagBarkBantams. I hope this helps alleviates some fears that you will naturally and normally have after the report. But honestly, you've dodged a severe bullet (Leukosis) and Marek's is easily dealth with, as is coccidiosis. So I have complete confidence that your flock will get through this!
http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/poultry-health/mareks-disease.html
http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/page9.htm
http://poultryone.com/articles/mareks.html
Looks like he's saying your bird died of cancer (Marek's, thank God rather than Leukosis) and that the other issues were secondary.
I wouldn't long-term treat for coccidiosis with medicated feeds. The problem was the cancer, not cocci. Instead I would do it once (Corrid), and then make a habit of boosting their immune system and digestive system health with probiotics. You can use plain yogurt for this if your birds like it. It contains the only bacteria proven to colonize from an external source, L. acidophilus. You could alternately use Probios or another probiotic product. I would make good and sure that your birds always have appropriately sized granite grit to supply their gizzards to prevent overwear of the kaolin layer and erosion. Once a month, I would use a pH adjuster like 2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar in their water to make sure the pH of their gut is beneficial both to the lining of their digestive tracts as well as beneficial to the good bacteria that you want to be strong in their guts.
I would work on environmental issues rather than medicating. I'm always confused why vets choose to say to medicate instead of attacking the problem at hand: environment. Coccidiosis is an environmental issue - they bloom in soils (they hate sand), they are more frequent in hay/straw (they hate dry pine shavings), and if you keep an area very dry, airy, and clean and boost their gut bacteria with yogurt, you won't have cocci issues - period. The few they encounter, they'll develop a healthy immunity that will function as long as the bird isn't immune-compromised (as it would be by cancer).
On that, I would also consider feeding turmeric once a week at least. You can get it bulk inexpensively. I bought mine from First State. Turmeric is being looked at as an aid against cancers and is good against inflammation. The precursor to cancer is often inflammatory cells, you see. So if you had a marek's bird, I'd consider a twice-monthly at least treatment with probiotics, vitamin E (anti-oxidant), turmeric, and OACV.
Then you just have to keep your eyes open. Watch for any birds with ocular changes (color changes, pupil shape and responsiveness, etc) and any signs of neurological problems (dragging leg, etc - Marek's is a "flaccid" paralysis meaning feet won't clutch, etc).
As for disinfection, you can't. Marek's is spread by feather dander and you simply cannot get it all. If you'd like to hedge your bets, I believe that Virkon-S (the one specifically with the S) is the only product that lists Marek's virus on its label. Oxine does not, so don't let people tell you that it does - because it doesn't.
Lice also can lower immunities - so yes, keep doing the 7 day treatment on that twice.
On the cocci, again I'd go with environmental changes because you can treat for cocci, but they'll only remain a problem if the environment isn't dried up.
As for a completely closed flock, honestly there are more cases of Marek's out there that never get diagnosed. I would quarantine, yes - 30 days. The most important thing for Marek's, however, is this:
First, vaccinate all one-day-old babies and then booster them. However, a vaccine won't give you even the slightest protection if young birds are put in with old ones. Their immune systems are too challenged to allow the vaccines to work. So for new birds, keep ages separate.
I group them like this here: Broodies, young feathered birds under 2 months, young feathered birds under 4 months, birds over 4 months. I had Marek's here, active (twice) and I found sticking to this routine disallowed its spread rather effectively with vaccinated birds.
If you keep babies apart from adults, off the same ground, they aren't as challenged and their initial and booster vaccinations will stick and disallow the bird from developing most of the problematic issues of Marek's: neurological damage, tumors, ocular changes. I keep broodies completely apart from adults, 2-4 months share the same air but not the same ground ever ever ever, and four months old get introduced to the same ground. It just takes a little planning.
Here are two articles on vaccination, and a good healthy dose of reality from ShagBarkBantams. I hope this helps alleviates some fears that you will naturally and normally have after the report. But honestly, you've dodged a severe bullet (Leukosis) and Marek's is easily dealth with, as is coccidiosis. So I have complete confidence that your flock will get through this!
http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/poultry-health/mareks-disease.html
http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/page9.htm
http://poultryone.com/articles/mareks.html
