Paralyzed 4 month old pullets

[Eggcessive]

I am so sorry for your loss, and really hope it is not Mareks. So glad that you could get them to euthanize and do a necropsy. Please post your final results here.

 

[Ohio Duck]

I am so sorry for your loss, and really hope it is not Mareks. So glad that you could get them to euthanize and do a necropsy. Please post your final results here.

Thank you very much. I am going to call on Monday to see if they have results yet.

I will update when I find out. It looks like I am not able to edit my original post anymore, so it will be in the replies.

 

[Eggcessive]

Are they supposed to give you the results or send them to your local vet? Usually, you may get a preliminary report, and later, a final report. When I checked with the Ohio state lab a couple of years ago, they would only send results to a local vet, not directly to me. They don’t routinely test for Mareks, but may if it is requested or the preliminary necropsy is suspicious for Mareks. If you have any info on current prices, that would also be helpful.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry to hear about Blondie

Please do let us know what you find out.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm so sorry. I've been following.

 

[Ohio Duck]

Are they supposed to give you the results or send them to your local vet? Usually, you may get a preliminary report, and later, a final report. When I checked with the Ohio state lab a couple of years ago, they would only send results to a local vet, not directly to me. They don’t routinely test for Mareks, but may if it is requested or the preliminary necropsy is suspicious for Mareks. If you have any info on current prices, that would also be helpful.

Hi Eggcessive, I went to Michigan State University in Lansing. (Despite my handle I am not actually in Ohio right now.) The cost was $215 for the necropsy, and a bunch of tests, including Marek's, avian leukosis, and botulism. They also have a process for ordering a mailing container from them and adding it to the bill. I was close enough to drive, but someone else might be able to use that.

I can call the lab to ask for preliminary results, and if they are available they will email them to me. Otherwise it will be about a week until I get the official report through US mail.

The MSU lab does not require a veterinary referral for livestock. They do require one for pets. MSU seems to have the largest agricultural program in the entire state. They're the only one with a veterinary lab, and we drove past a bunch of cattle pastures with MSU signs in front on our way.

They also told me that I can call the lab and speak to the avian specialist about any flock issues that arise, even stuff that's not related to my current crisis. I will gladly be using this resource in the future. Everyone I spoke to was very professional and kind.

 

[Ohio Duck]

Hi all, we received the necropsy report today. We also spoke with a vet who does video appointments, since MSU cannot give veterinary advice or prescribe medication.

Here's what we learned. It is NOT Marek's disease. They had an infection caused by histomonas meleagridis, a single-celled parasite. The parasite infects and destroys the ceca and then the liver. It is uncommon for chickens to be infected by this parasite. Usually it is a problem for turkeys. Basically, we just got really unlucky.

Unfortunately, there is no medication approved in the US for treating it. Histomonas meleagridis is spread by worms - it's a parasite that infects other parasites. So the vet recommended treating them for worms, and hopefully that will minimize the spread. He said to use Safeguard and add diatomaceous earth to their food. We're also going to continue supplementing their water with electrolytes and vitamins to help their immune systems.

We swept out the coop and bagged all the straw for burning later. If anyone has advice for deep cleaning a coop, I would love to know. I'll check around some of the threads on here too.

For now, we swept out all the straw and poop and put a layer of clean straw in. The vet recommends changing it every week or two for a couple of months.

We culled poor Aang today. We figured there's no coming back from a necrotizing infection in her intestines, and the vet confirmed our assessment. Hopefully she will be the last one we lose to this.

 

[Slothinc]

Hi all, we received the necropsy report today. We also spoke with a vet who does video appointments, since MSU cannot give veterinary advice or prescribe medication.

Here's what we learned. It is NOT Marek's disease. They had an infection caused by histomonas meleagridis, a single-celled parasite. The parasite infects and destroys the ceca and then the liver. It is uncommon for chickens to be infected by this parasite. Usually it is a problem for turkeys. Basically, we just got really unlucky.

Unfortunately, there is no medication approved in the US for treating it. Histomonas meleagridis is spread by worms - it's a parasite that infects other parasites. So the vet recommended treating them for worms, and hopefully that will minimize the spread. He said to use Safeguard and add diatomaceous earth to their food. We're also going to continue supplementing their water with electrolytes and vitamins to help their immune systems.

We swept out the coop and bagged all the straw for burning later. If anyone has advice for deep cleaning a coop, I would love to know. I'll check around some of the threads on here too.

For now, we swept out all the straw and poop and put a layer of clean straw in. The vet recommends changing it every week or two for a couple of months.

We culled poor Aang today. We figured there's no coming back from a necrotizing infection in her intestines, and the vet confirmed our assessment. Hopefully she will be the last one we lose to this.

Hugs, that is so hard. Im so glad you were able to get results though, and have a plan going forward. It sounds like you are doing all the right things for the rest of your flock.