Coccidosis?

[Samanthab88]

For the last two weeks I have had a sick flock. The first bird I noticed looking sick appeared to be lethargic. Quarantined indoors, the next day she started to act paralyzed and display splayed leg. Second bird got sick, quarantined separately indoors- she had same symptoms but also wry neck. Started treating for vitamin deficiency. Then though perhaps botulism or they ate something. Third bird got sick a couple days later with same symptoms except no wry neck (only one bird out of the bunch displayed this). Was worried it could be mareks. Started monitoring the birds heavily. The first couple stopped eating so I syringe fed them. They lived for about a week. Third bird ended up passing away as well. This one I decided to do a diy necropsy. No tumors were prevalent however significant amounts of yellowish fluid surrounded the organs. I’m thinking coccidosis. So I got Corid and started treatment. It’s been 5 days and I now have two other birds under quarantine that are starting with same symptoms. After the first batch died I removed everything from the coop and sanitized and gave new bedding before letting them return. I’m continuing chorid treatment. Photo attached of internals. These birds are about 3 weeks away from laying. Called the hatchery and they said no one else reported anything but they think it’s mereks and swore up and down I wouldn’t be able to see the tumors on the organs. Looking for suggestions.

 

[Notaneggspurt]

The fluid sounds a bit like ascites. I need to get my glasses to look at the picture again. Age of your flock?
ETA: are they all the same breed?

 

[Samanthab88]

Around 18 weeks old.

 

[Notaneggspurt]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...sease-testing-lab-info.1236884/#post-19849025

There might be another list available as well. I think for a definite answer that would be the route to go. They'd be able to find out what strain as well.

 

[Samanthab88]

The fluid sounds a bit like ascites. I need to get my glasses to look at the picture again. Age of your flock?
ETA: are they all the same breed?

The chicken was also located near the water dish and could have become too weak and drowned. Though the fluid was very yellow and mucusey stuck to the liver area mostly. I did not look at the internals of the first two birds thinking I had ruled everything else out. The two I have under quarantine now same symptoms as the rest, one is still on two feet and the other is favoring her left side laying down legs both stretched out.

 

[Notaneggspurt]

I am so sorry! It does seem you have an epidemic in your flock. Are they all the same breed?

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Sorry for your loss. Can you try to get a necropsy by your state vet if you lose another bird? Tumors with Mareks can be very tiny, and sometimes you may see them on organs or along the psiatic nerves or intestines. Kudos for doing the necropsy. I can’t tell much myself because I am not that experienced with necropsies, and the pictures are a little blurry. Yellow fluid in the abdomen may be from heart or liver failure. Mareks can affect the liver and heart as well as other organs. Here is a link to contacting your state vet:
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

Necropsies for backyard chickens may be fairly inexpensive, but each state is different. In OH, it is 23 dollars, but any further testing may be not included. My state vet said that they usually can spot Mareks on the necropsy, but if they have to send off a specimen to another lab to confirm it, it is more expensive. Delivering or overnight shipping the body should be done ASAP while keeping it refrigerated.

Here is a good link where you can read about Mareks disease, and includes many pictures of organs—click on both clinical signs and gross lesions:
https://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/#/disease/Marek's_Disease

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is another link with some necropsy photos of Mareks:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publi...usinduced-neoplastic-diseases-mareks-disease/

 

[Samanthab88]

I am so sorry! It does seem you have an epidemic in your flock. Are they all the same breed?

Yes all Rhode Island Red from cackle hatchery all from same hatch.

 

[Eggcessive]

What is your location (state?) Do you know if your chicks were vaccinated? Although Mareks could be the reason, so many falling ill with those symptoms in a period of two weeks is suspicious. There has been a virulant Newcastles Disease outbreak in southern California for the last 6 months. I would also check the feed for any off odor or greenish mold. If you contact your state vet, they may even do a free necropsy if you are concerned about Newcastles. In this article on Mareks, there is a section on diseases that can look like Mareks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

I would also suggest that you change the name of your thread to “possible mareks?” or something similar, just so more people have a look at it