Have Mareks or Newcastle Disease- Now What?

[ChelsisChooks]

I spoke with a veterinarian today and he confirmed the symptoms of 3 hens in my flock are consistent with being infected with Mareks or Newcastle disease. Now what? I have 13 Hens, 1 Rooster, 3 cockerels and 4 Pullets 2 months old and 15 chicks under lights 2-4 weeks old.

Obviously at this point I’m closing my flock. From what I have read it stays in my pens/coops so even if I culled my whole flock I can’t have birds again here for 6m-2years? Or can I if they are vaccinated?

Some of my birds would likely be vaccinated but most are not.

 

[Kiki]

He confirmed how?
Did he necropsy one?
What state are you in?

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

He confirmed how?
Did he necropsy one?
What state are you in?

X2

 

[Eggcessive]

Where are you located? What symptoms are you seeing in your sick chickens? Newcastles is unlikely unless you are located in southern California or in another country. Mareks is very common unfortunately, and can have various different symptoms in each chicken. It affects young chickens under a year old more commonly, or if one has added a new bird to the flock recently that might be a non-symptomatic carrier. Many things including injuries, vitamin deficiency, or wry neck, can look like Mareks, so giving all symptoms could be helpful.

 

[MROO]

I confirmed the symptoms of 3 hens in my flock are consistent with being infected with Mareks or Newcastle disease.

"Consistent with" does NOT necessarily mean "infected with." By all means, close the flock until you know for sure, just to be safe. But the only way to "know for sure" is to send a bird away for necropsy. Don't do anything drastic - or give up on the future - until you know.
While you're waiting, be sure to take all biosecurity measures. If it is a virulent "nasty," you'll be glad you didn't spread it ... and if it's not, there's no harm done in using universal safety practices.
Remember to breathe ... and please keep us posted!

 

[Folly's place]

I agree 100%!!! Get at least one necropsy done, preferably at your state veterinary lab, before doing anything. Meanwhile, biosecurity!
Mary

 

[Eggcessive]

Are you in Australia? Has your vet seen or heard of any cases of Newcastles recently? Mareks may cause lameness or weakness in one leg progressing to paralysis. Wry neck or torticolis can be a sign of either, but also can be a result of vitamin E and B1 deficiency or a head injury. If you can describe symptoms, it would be helpful. Newcastles symptoms can be very severe with a twisted neck, labored breathing, and neurological signs.

 

[Kiki]

I think OP is in Canada...by skimming older posts.

 

[Kiki]

In a flock of 12 mixed breeds.
Located in BC Canada
Two 9-10 month old Gold Laced Wyandottes (Anne ans GeeGee) Purchased 3 months ago from a friend No previous health issues
Every day layers since started laying early May until about a week ago.
A week ago started finding them all day in their boxes and in the evening/overnight brooding (or so it seems they are moving new eggs under them)
When up and about they seemed completely normal.
3 days ago I noticed some foamy bubbles in one eye of GeeGee. But was gone a mintue later. I had sprayed the coop with Pyrethrin a day earlier and changed all the bedding so I figured perhaps irritated
I sprayed because 2 other birds in the flock appear to have some mites and lice eggs (not bad at all but a small amount).
I found no bugs or signs on these birds. The next day I noticed GeeGee had a goopy eye (only on one side) and crusty coop on nostrols. Noticed Anne (they roost side by side) also had goopy also only in one eye. But both have snotty nostrils.
I have isolated them.
I will be calling a vet today but there is only one vet who treats chickens in my area and he is mainly a commercial (broiler/egg) vet and will likely not attend.
I have seen them sneeze.
They are not mouth breathing heavily. I assume must be at times as nostrols are pretty plugged. Eating and drinking. I haven’t seen poop.

Here in B.C. we can not buy many drugs in stores they must come from vet.

Everything I have read and googled sounds pretty bad!

It seems the major issues I’ve read suggest more common in young birds.

Pictures to come

 

[alexisrambles]

From those symptoms I'd go with an upper respiratory infection before the two diseases mentioned. BUT I don't know squat about Newcastle's besides it's currently causing a lot of panic. If you end up thinking it's definitely Marek's or Newcastle's, I'd say you may have to sacrifice one symptomatic hen to a necropsy.