4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[NicolaC]

Just got back from the vets with poor little Chicken Dipper- our bantam Wyandot. Dipper has been struggling to walk since Sunday, she is a great one for sitting on the nest, so I didn't spot that she had a problem earlier.

 

Vet was clearly good with chickens as well as people and very quickly diagonsed Marfan syndrom, not something I had heard of before, basically they pick it up when very young and it takes 2-3 years to fully develop when it then attacks the nervous system, there is no cure.

 

Dipper has had a steroid injection which may help allieviate the problem and gives me time to explain to my daughter who is rather attached to her.

 

I suppose I am posting this to give a you all a reminder that there are some nasties out there that can catch us unawares

 

Nic

[SAB]

Had not heard of this in chickens, but know of Marfan's in humans (not contagious, does have hereditary componant) - wonder if it is the same thing.

 

Your poor wee chook.

[quickcluck]

I only know of it in humans, as a syndrome, not familiar with chooks..

[Egluntyne]

Welcome to the forum NicolaC.

 

Very sorry to hear about your hen.

[Gamebird]

Welcome to the forum NicolaC.

 

So sorry your first post is a sad one but thank you for the warning.

[Groovychook]

Hi Nic,

so sorry to hear about Dipper x

[Guest]

someone PM'd me about this as they know I have Marfan Syndrome. I always thought it was a human thing, I had no idea animals could suffer from it too!

 

It's not contagious by the way. You said it's something she "picked up"?

 

In humans, at least, it's congenital. I've had it all my life but it was only diagnosed when I was 3 years old, as the symptoms were hard to pick up until then.

 

Joint problems are one of the symptoms associated with the syndrome, that and bones prone to break easier than normal. It's a problem with the connective tissue in the body so limbs and organs and joints and everyrthing actually is looser and floppier than it should be. I have a floppy mitral valve in my heart for example.

 

It's good to know you have such a good vet and he's managing her condition and she has such a lovely chookie mummy to keep an eye on her. Now it's been identified she'll have a much better quality of life with treatment. Give her a cuddle from me

 

xxxx

[feemcg]

Never heard of Marfans in chickens so went to look it up and can't find anything ......only reference is to Marfans type symptons being reproduced in chickens during research, such as connective tissue disorders and aortic aneurysms......and found this about copper deficiency in chicks -

 

'Interestingly, it has been noted that the symptoms of Marfan syndrome were similar to those of copper deficiency in chicks'

 

Are you sure he didn't say Mareks?

[Egluntyne]

I can't find anything about it either, other than the reference to copper deficiency.

 

If you go back to the vet, could you ask him a bit more about it?

[katieandnick]

I think it's probably Marek's syndrome (MDV), which is a neuropathic disease in chickens.

[The Dogmother]

I think it's probably Marek's syndrome (MDV), which is a neuropathic disease in chickens.

 

 

Me too, going on your descriptions.

 

Mareks is usually fatal and the end is quick - one of my girls died of it. Mareks is usually present in a low level in most flocks and will only be fatal in a chook who has other problems or is at a low ebb after moulting. It is part of the herpes virus family and lays dormant in a flock, with most chickens showing little or no signs at all. The main symptoms are paralysis starting with the legs and spreading rapidly throuhgh the rest of the body - the best thing to do is to have the hen PTS I'm afraid.

[Guest]

oh dear, poor little dipper, thinking of you all and sending you lots of hugs and wishing you strength xxxx

[Lewis]

I hope she gets better soon.

I've never heard of Marfans in chickens, but I have in humans as my cousin had it which wasn't picked up until it was too late.