loumabel Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 I recently had one of my pekins PTS and had a Post mortem done as the vet wasnt sure what was wrong with her. The results show she had Avian tuberculosis!! I have four more bantams that have been living in the same cube and run as her and are highly likely to be infected too. There is no cure or treatment for this disease and I am absolutley devastated. I would really like to hear from you all as I have a dilema. Do I have all my remaining bantams PTS or do I wait and see if they develop the symptoms and deal with it then. My chickens are pets and I am very attached to them all, the poor little things have had one illness after another, we had a Mycoplasma outbreak in the summer and I have a horrible feeling they are from a very irresponsible breeder who has raised sickly birds. It breaks my heart to think they need to be PTS what would you do?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 Tricky, I'm very sorry to hear about this. If it were me I would keep them, but if you plan on getting more I would check if you'd need to rest the ground etc or find out if it could be passed on. As you say they are pets, it might be possible that the remaining don't develop symptoms. I don't know anything about Avian TB really, but would be inclined to keep them as long as they are happy and enjoying life. I'm sure someone else will be able to help you more soon. Chin up, you have had rotten luck, but do enjoy your girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 Very sorry to hear it. I take the opposite view, given their history of other illnesses. I'd have them pts and do a deep clean before starting again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 I'm very sorry to hear that. I would ask the vet for his advice tbh. It's a difficult one, and I can see where Egluntyne is coming from, but my inclination would be to give them a chance and wait and see. Poor things have had a tough time, but as long as you give everything a good clean and keep them well away from any other birds you may have, I wouldn't have them PTS unless they show any symptoms. In the meantime, give them the maximum dose of Lifeguard or a similar tonic, in the hope that it may give them a boost. I hope they will be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 what do the vets recommend? are there early signs that you will now recognise and therefore be able to have any pts before they suffer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted November 11, 2011 Author Share Posted November 11, 2011 please keep your thoughts coming as I need to make a decision and it really helps to have other opinions. The vet really said I need to decide for myself what to do but did say that as long as I don't intoduce new birds (which I def wouldnt!!) I could wait and see. The symptoms don't really show until the disease is pretty advanced, massive weight loss and loss of balance are the things to watch out for. My problem is that i have 5 ex batts too, they are kept about a quater of an acre away from my bantams but there is still a chance of cross contamination from my shoes etc having said that this could already have happened when we didnt know we had the problem. My head and heart are telling me different things!! Can I also ask a Moderator a question?? I have done a internet search on the breeder I purchased the bantams from and found some posts on other forums from people saying that their birds from the same place have also died from TB and I wondered if I am allowed to name them on this forum to stop others from buying from them and suffering the heartache. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 oh geez...poor you.. there have been named ones before but will be interested to read what the answer is... Me? I couldn't bear to pts unless it is proving necessary.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 I'm very sorry to hear your news, it must be devastating . I can't advise you I'm afraid as I'm not familiar with avian TB. In your position I would read up everything I can. I might even ask my vet for a referral to a specialist avian vet to ask for their advice as its such an unusual disease - there is an excellent one based near Gatwick/Horsham if thats any use, but unfortunately I can't remember the practice name, I will try to look them up. Regarding your question to mods - I'd be grateful if you could pm the name to me as I may not be far from you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted November 12, 2011 Author Share Posted November 12, 2011 If anyone would like me to PM them the breeders name, just let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 loumabel - why not contact DEFRA? Any farm has to be registered with them, surely they would be able to take steps to investigate this? Sorry to hear you are going through this, it must be heart beaking Edited to add: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/contacts/ Worth giving them a call for advice if nothing else! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 I am so sorry you are in this awful situation. If they were mine I would keep a very close eye on them (regular weighing etc.) and do everything possible to boost their mine system and only have them pts if they start to show signs of TB. I'd also wear separate shoes and clothes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted November 20, 2011 Share Posted November 20, 2011 Might want to give this a read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
