The Poultry Keeper

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2299 Location: North Cornwall

Yesterday one of my bants was very wobbly, today she can't stand at all and one foot is curled. Is it Mareks, which I know nothing about? Ive done a search but there is so much stuff to go through that doesn't apply, but I get the gist that its pretty serious and Im worried for the rest.

The little bant looks fairly bright, no dull comb or eye just cant stand and is laying on her side.

My vets are less than useless when it comes to chickens and blame it on lack of training.

Help please

richard · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: somerset

Try this Jan,
http://www.msstate.edu/dept/poultry/disviral.htm#mar

fenwoman · Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 12:06 pm Post subject:

Hoping and praying that it isn't mareks. It's the one disease I'm most afraid of after AI.

Lisa · Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 12:12 pm Post subject:

Bummer

Not had to deal with it myself. I've had a quick look through the books I've got. Not sure if there would be anything a vets could do, other than confirm a diagnosis Confused

Marek's is a virus, so antibiotics won't help.

Not sure about the curled foot - books just say a typical posture is one leg out to the front, the other to the back.

Are there any other vets you could go to in your area? Have you tried the RCVS website "find a vet" feature:

http://www.rcvs.org.uk/Templates/system/Search.asp?NodeID=89660

The Bird Care Company website says you can ring them direct for advice, and they list 2 vets that they say will give your vet telephone advice. I've not tried the service myself, but I met someone on a stand from their company at a show a couple of years ago. Although they deal more with other types of birds, but they seemed very knowledgable and helpful when I spoke to them about chickens too.

edited to add the link, sorry just realised I forgot it: Embarassed

http://www.birdcareco.com/English/Avian_vets/No_vets/no_vets.html

Without any other symptoms (eg books mention eyes) is it still possible it could still be something else? Without a vets help, I would be tempted to isolate her with food and water, and see what happens - both to her and the others - provided she is not obviously suffering, of course.

Wish I could say something more useful for you Sad

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2299 Location: North Cornwall

Thank you every one. Ive looked at all the links and she doesn't have the symtoms they discribe, I dont think. No lesions - but not sure if you are supposed to be able to see those or if they are internal -labored respiration or diarrhea and she doesn't look anemic, her comb is bright red and her eye bright. Have any of you seen a bird with Mareks? Her legs are straight down and her foot has uncurled, shes laying on her side. Would it help if I posted a picture? Our nearest chicken friendly vet is 200 miles away so a round trip of 400, not good for a poorly chicken. Shes in the cat basket now and Im going to scrub out the house.
Is there any thing else it could be, all the rest look well at the moment Sad

Knobby · Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 2:37 pm Post subject:

Im sorry I cant help, the trouble with the chicken books ive got is that most illnesses seem to have the same symptoms Sad

Some of my chooks however do have "Off" days when they stand around on one leg, puffed out feathers and look like they just want to go to sleep. After a day or two they recover and get back to normal....... Confused

Best thing to do is bring her indoors and keep her comfortable !

Lisa · Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 3:15 pm Post subject:

No, I haven't seen a bird with Mareks. I'm only going on what I've read.

IIRC there are different sorts of Mareks, hence some of the different symptoms? The lesions (tumours?) are internal, and paralysis is a symptom because they grow on, or press on, the nerves of the spinal column. So if its that, then there's not much that can be done Sad

The other common reason for chickens having trouble getting up and/or walking seems to be some sort of bad injury, which often improves with time, TLC and some DIY chicken physio!

I suppose (bit of a long shot?) that it is possible she could have some other sort of virus and just not want to move because she feels so ill? Again, isolation and TLC would tell if her immune system could fight it off or not...

And make sure she is drinking enough fluid if you can - not drinking is more serious than not eating...

fenwoman · Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 3:21 pm Post subject:

Lisa · Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 3:24 pm Post subject:

Wouldn't you expect other symptoms if the chook was egg bound though?

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2299 Location: North Cornwall

I wish Knobby, but shes now almost completely paralysed, just able to move her head.
I have phoned my useless vet and he thinks from what he knows about Mareks that its not that. Hes getting some advice from someone else and I'm just waiting for him to phone back. I dont think there is much I can do now for this little bantie, but might be able to save the others from the same thing.
On all other animals our vets are wonderful, just seems they all have a blind spot when it comes to chickens.

Lisa · Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 3:31 pm Post subject:

Well at least that's good news that your vets are trying to do something now. Fingers firmly crossed that they come back with something useful for you.

Knobby · Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 3:32 pm Post subject:

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2299 Location: North Cornwall

After getting advice my vet now thinks there is a good chance it is Mareks. Poor little bant has to be at the lab in Exeter for 8.30 tomorrow morning, dead or alive.
The lab has said if possitive it will already be in most of the others and nothing can be done for them.

NannyP · Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 3:42 pm Post subject:

NannyP · Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 3:43 pm Post subject:

Sorry to hear that Sad