EMERGENCY - TRYING TO HELP A FRIEND

[RememberTheWay]

If vitamin E and B complex do not help, it would be good to get a diagnosis. There are diseases and conditions that may mimic Mareks. Back in post 13 are links to a lab that does testing on live birds, and another is a list of state vet labs that do necropsies and testing.

On another note- I have another friend who has a rooster that was exhibiting symptoms of Marek's. They took him to the vet. That live Marek's test was quoted at $500 dollars!!!!!! What? Who has that kind of money for a test?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

WANTED TO UPDATE-
@Eggcessive @Bkaye @azygous

It's been a long slow journey. I have a facility that I use to rehab birds and follow strict bio-security (changing clothes, showering, special shoes, closed doors, separate "hospital" facility)

Anyways - I took on the bird after she quit eating. I began tube feeding and giving poultry cell, high dose Vitamin B complex Liquid (human), Chinese Skullcap, St
John's Wort, brewers yeast, and scrambled eggs. Up until two days ago, everything I thought I was seeing as "improvements" were so subtle they were easily dismissed with mental doubts that I was imagining them. For examples- it seemed like her toes were uncurling slightly, and that she was regaining use of her legs just slightly, she also was more alert, then her appetite returned, when I was tube feeding I also began to notice she was getting stronger and could fight me more. But all of these things were so subtle I was doubting they were real and continuesly thinking that any day she would be gone bc it was just wishful thinking on my part.

Then last night came- and when I came in to give meds and night feed/water I noticed she was halfway standing and her legs were almost right under her but not quite. I fed, medicated, and left. Then this morning, and when I came in she was standing and walking!!!! I am absolutely thrilled to tell her bird mom that she will be returning home soon! Will post videos later today of her progress!

Glad to hear she's improving!
Thank you for the update.

 

[Eggcessive]

I think RAL, a lab in TX, will do testing on a live chicken for less than $20, but they probably charge for shipping of the materials for collection. It could be closer to a hundred dollars, but that would be a lot less. Most state vets will do a necropsy after death, and they can then do testing. Here is a link for RAL:
https://www.vetdna.com/application/forms/aviansubmittalform.pdf

 

[Bkaye]

I think RAL, a lab in TX, will do testing on a live chicken for less than $20, but they probably charge for shipping of the materials for collection. It could be closer to a hundred dollars, but that would be a lot less. Most state vets will do a necropsy after death, and they can then do testing. Here is a link for RAL:
https://www.vetdna.com/application/forms/aviansubmittalform.pdf

Iirc when I did it, for them to send the testing materials out to me was around 20 bucks. Between the test kit, overnighting it to the company and the testing fee we were under 80 dollars.