It's Marek's. How long does she have?

[krissyweso]

I'm not sure who, but someone on here has treated Mareks with acyclovir or valacyclovir, since it's similar to herpes viruses. Another thing that helps keep this type of virus at bay (in cats and humans at least), is lysine. Also, ivermectin comes to mind as having broad, general antiviral properties, but I don't know what form. Maybe talk to the avian vet about these possibilities?

Yes I read that thread recently. Idk how is get herpes meds, though. The person who said they used it, I remember, had some because they had shingles or something.

I actually have already tried ivermectin.

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

Yea I read both of those a few weeks ago. Still doesn't provide me the answers I'm looking for, unfortunately. I'm looking more for first hand experiences from people who really tried to rehab. It seems like most written experiences are from people with working farms or who are willing to cull entire flocks, which I am not.

I had a 2 chicken with markets once what do you want to know. P.s they hung around each other like nobody's business. One of them was my favorite one also

 

[krissyweso]

Yea I read both of those a few weeks ago. Still doesn't provide me the answers I'm looking for, unfortunately. I'm looking more for first hand experiences from people who really tried to rehab. It seems like most written experiences are from people with working farms or who are willing to cull entire flocks, which I am not.

Also, I've been giving her b vitamin every day since the day I noticed symptoms. Maybe that's what helping her from progression of paralysis.

 

[krissyweso]

I had a 2 chicken with markets once what do you want to know. P.s they hung around each other like nobody's business. One of them was my favorite one also

I'm sorry you had to go through that.

My questions are:

1. How long since first seeing signs of paralysis did you see it start to spread to other extremities (it has just been her right foot for three weeks)?

2. How long since first seeing signs of paralysis did Marek's usually kill the chicken?

3. If a chicken does survive Marek's, do they get their motor abilities back or will her foot be paralyzed forever?

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

I'm sorry you had to go through that.

My questions are:

1. How long since first seeing signs of paralysis did you see it start to spread to other extremities (it has just been her right foot for three weeks)?

2. How long since first seeing signs of paralysis did Marek's usually kill the chicken?

3. If a chicken does survive Marek's, do they get their motor abilities back or will her foot be paralyzed forever?

Ok so one survived and one did not she is still around 5 years later actually...I am going to guess that if you do the right things she will survive...if nothing is progressing. Every case is different. My can walk but her legs do occasionally give or or go limp for days. Are you ready to possibly have a special needs chicken? Is she eating and drinking? Empty crop normally?is she able to squeeze you finger at all? Pic might be helpfully hers my baby that survived in pic below...also if shes not fully grown it may stunt her growth that's what happen to mine

 

[raingarden]

I don't get it. How did the vet know it is Marek's? Did he have one of those ELISA antibody test kits?

 

[krissyweso]

I don't get it. How did the vet know it is Marek's? Did he have one of those ELISA antibody test kits?

He highly suspects it's Marek's because we've disproven other possibilities (fracture, joint issues, sprain, bumble foot, scaly leg mites, other mites, etc). Goose also seems pretty textbook to me. She's eating and drinking fine. She tries to get around. Otherwise normal behavior. It's just she can't move her foot.

I 100 percent understand we can't know for sure without a test, but given my research, the three trips to the vet, the x rays, and the other treatments I've tried, I'm comfortable moving ahead to treat for Marek's. And, yes, I know there's no treatment for Marek's.

I'm simply asking a few questions. Those being, how far does paralysis typically progress, how long before paralysis typically takes over and kills the birds, and if she does survive, can she regain her mobility?

 

[krissyweso]

Ok so one survived and one did not she is still around 5 years later actually...I am going to guess that if you do the right things she will survive...if nothing is progressing. Every case is different. My can walk but her legs do occasionally give or or go limp for days. Are you ready to possibly have a special needs chicken? Is she eating and drinking? Empty crop normally?is she able to squeeze you finger at all? Pic might be helpfully hers my baby that survived in pic below...also if shes not fully grown it may stunt her growth that's what happen to mine

Oh my gosh poor baby.

Thank you for that information.

She is still eating and drinking. She's totally normal aside from the paralysis. And, yes, I am totally ready for a special needs chicken. I know I can give her a happy, fulfilling life even if she doesn't regain the use of her leg. I hope, like any mom would, that she gets it back, but I'm prepared to help her stay mobile however I can

 

[Sahraschweiss]

I currently have Marek's in my flock. There's been birds with leg & wing paralysis, ocular, external tumors, wry neck, the works.

Each strain of Marek's is different...manifest differently... differences in severity...

In my flock, it can be 0 to 7 days from onset of symptoms to death. Most recently I had a girl that was just starting to show leg paralysis, I brought her in side and she seizured and passed while I was on the phone with the vet.

The one that presented with ocular also had tumors. He went through 7 days of antibiotics and vitamins before I gave in and had him euthanized.

I had a 17 week cockerel that developed wry neck. We tried vitamins, antibiotics, the works... Once he list interest in eating and drinking, I euthanized him.

I had birds that presented with pecking coordination problems. They will either have sudden death in 3-4 days or will develop paralysis and go for a little longer before I euthanize.

This is all from this year. I April I got six 3 week old cream Legbars and icebars from a local breeder. When they hit 17 weeks, symptoms started. I list all 6. During that time I had two broody hatches on 4 another with 7. I have lost 4 of those. From my previous year flock of 23, I have lost 2.

Once symptoms presented, I have had no survivors.

Denial teaches you a lot in observation, but it comes with the cost of suffering. Don't let your birds suffer.

 

[krissyweso]

I currently have Marek's in my flock. There's been birds with leg & wing paralysis, ocular, external tumors, wry neck, the works.

Each strain of Marek's is different...manifest differently... differences in severity...

In my flock, it can be 0 to 7 days from onset of symptoms to death. Most recently I had a girl that was just starting to show leg paralysis, I brought her in side and she seizured and passed while I was on the phone with the vet.

The one that presented with ocular also had tumors. He went through 7 days of antibiotics and vitamins before I gave in and had him euthanized.

I had a 17 week cockerel that developed wry neck. We tried vitamins, antibiotics, the works... Once he list interest in eating and drinking, I euthanized him.

I had birds that presented with pecking coordination problems. They will either have sudden death in 3-4 days or will develop paralysis and go for a little longer before I euthanize.

This is all from this year. I April I got six 3 week old cream Legbars and icebars from a local breeder. When they hit 17 weeks, symptoms started. I list all 6. During that time I had two broody hatches on 4 another with 7. I have lost 4 of those. From my previous year flock of 23, I have lost 2.

Once symptoms presented, I have had no survivors.

Denial teaches you a lot in observation, but it comes with the cost of suffering. Don't let your birds suffer.

Thank you for this information.

I'm asking these questions because my girl, Goose, had had leg paralysis that hasn't progressed much if at all for over three weeks. I've taken her to two different vets, and the specialist said he thinks she might survive it because chickens usually succumb much sooner than 3 weeks.

That's why I'm looking for first hand experience. And it seems like you've experienced that they passed much sooner than 3 weeks.

Thank you again for your POV.