Help - think we have a case of Mareks :-(

[OverWyreGrower]

Vet never called yesterday despite 3 phone calls
Waiting until they open, then I'm going to call again...

Poorly Hen is still perky, eat, drinking and toileting; however is showing no signs of being able to stand or walk.

Her feet seem limp, and splay out when put on the floor, as if she has no control over where her toes are. She still lists to one side slightly. At this stage, if it's not Marek's, I honestly don't know what it could be....

[Suechooks]

OWG - seems unbelievable but I have a Cream Legbar with almost identical symptoms! She can walk but isn't fussed about doing so. I'm about to phone my vet in the hope the girl who does poultry is there this morning. I've isolated her and started Baytril and Nutridrops, but I'd like the vets opinion.
PS I've got an appointment with vet at noon so will post then.

[Glutton4...]

I've had one or two Batties go like that. They had Ascites. Plenty of info around on that, but doesn't sound promising, I'm sorry to say. Good luck, both of you.

[Suechooks]

I've had one or two Batties go like that. They had Ascites. Plenty of info around on that, but doesn't sound promising, I'm sorry to say. Good luck, both of you.

Definitely not Ascites - have had lots of batts with that. This is something entirely different - can't convince myself it's not Mareks . She looks really well, red comb, normal poo and her tail is up this morning, eating well and has had a couple of walks about but as you say G4 it doesn't look good, especially as she is 22 weeks and looks on the verge of laying. Textbook Mareks age group

[Suechooks]

Update
My vet didn't think my Legbar has Mareks. Might be some sort of infection or stress of coming into lay. She's going to research if there's any definitive test for Mareks (only one she's familiar with is at Post Mortem) and let me know.
She also mentioned that a heavy parasite burden can result in lameness in hens. I don't think its that but will worm them all again as soon as this girl is back with them and then move them into the other run which has rested for a good few months now.
Any news on your girl OWG?

[OverWyreGrower]

Vet thinks its a definite case of Mareks... Poorly Hen is still eating, drinking and toileting fine, but is severely unbalanced and can't stand up at all.

Luckily, no other hens/growers are showing any signs as yet, so we may be in the clear with everyone else.

Vet suggested that we put our girl out of her misery this weekend at some point. He said that we could leave her a few more days if she is eating and is is alert; but she is in a little box in the garage and her food/water etc are within pecking reach.

He and a local poultry person (who I called for advice) have stressed that there is nothing I could have done. Apparantly birds contract the illness between 3 and 6 weeks old, and it takes 13-16 weeks to show any symptoms, and by then, it's too late.

A small silver lining is that I have been given the offer of having all my future hatchers vaccinated, at no cost. I appreciate that very much!

[its hilly]

Oh b****r. Sorry to hear that OWG. I'd hoped it would be something else.

[Suechooks]

Sorry to hear that OWG
To be honest I'm not convinced my girl hasn't got it but am happy to keep her here till I'm sure one way or the other. I'm going to phone her breeder tomorrow just to see if she's had any problems with the batch.

[RichmondHens]

Sorry to hear it OWG.

[petal]

What is ascites? sounds scary. We lost a white star that we got from thornes with mareks symptoms. We went to see them but they told us it could not be mareks as she had been vaccinated against it? She became paralysed on one side after laying her one and only white egg.

[Suechooks]

What is ascites? sounds scary. We lost a white star that we got from thornes with mareks symptoms. We went to see them but they told us it could not be mareks as she had been vaccinated against it? She became paralysed on one side after laying her one and only white egg.

Ascites is abdominal swelling caused usually by heart disease or tumours. Ex-batts get it quite often especially if they've stopped laying - probably because they get tumours. Hens can get Mareks even if they've been vaccinated as its a herpes virus and it can mutate and not be affected by the vaccine and there are different strains. It does give some protection but not total. Your bird sounds quite classic Petal.
My Legbar is deteriorating and starting to get stressed I think. Will cull her if necessary as I don't want her suffering. Still looks the picture of health and eating really well. I do think its Mareks despite the fact she can move her legs and wings. She just seems unable/unwilling to stand now whereas yesterday she walked around a few times.
Its a b"&&£r as she's nearly ready to lay and a really nice bird.

[RichmondHens]

What will you do with the others Sue, if you really think it's Mareks?

My vet said with Mareks they usually show some sign of stiffness or paralysis and he was certain my injured Welsummer (in Jan) didn't have it, as although she couldn't walk, she was otherwise bright and cheerful, rather like the sound of your hen.

[Suechooks]

What will you do with the others Sue, if you really think it's Mareks?

My vet said with Mareks they usually show some sign of stiffness or paralysis and he was certain my injured Welsummer (in Jan) didn't have it, as although she couldn't walk, she was otherwise bright and cheerful, rather like the sound of your hen.

I'll have to see what my vet says though she's not really that experienced unfortunately. I have all my youngsters in the same pen so its a really horrible thing to have happened. If they all have to be culled I doubt if I'll have any more. I think you can only take so much and its supposed to be a hobby I enjoy but at the moment it seems like one crisis after another. I don't really know what the outcome is likely to be - maybe just as well for now! I'd been really hopeful for the Legbar but ...........

[RichmondHens]

It might not be Marek's so don't despair just yet.

[Glutton4...]

How is she doing OWG - any improvement?