memphisto Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 Brief history: Lottie is a white star, about 24 weeks ago. Settled fine with the other girls, came from a breeder and was vaccinated etc. She got badly feather pecked by the others nearly three weeks ago, exposing her bum! There was pus so I opted to go to the vet after treating myself for a few days. Gave an injection of Baytril and Baytril suspension for 5 days, she perked up fine. On Tuesday, I noticed her slowing down, being hunched up, not eating, just not herself so on Thursday (I think) went back to the vet, she was very unco-ordinated, kept falling over there. The vet said she was showing signs of infection, he could not put a cause on it specifically, though mentioned Mareks (although she has been vaccinated), egg peritionitis etc. Another injection of Baytril given and another course of 6 days of Baytril suspension. Unfortunately, she has gone more and more downhill since then, he comb has flopped over, she can only lie on her side now and cannot use her legs at all today. She still appears alert and not in any particular amount of pain, still not eating or drinking. She is inside and isolated from the flock and no-one else is displaying the same symptoms. I'm heading back to the vet tomorrow, I think I know what he will say though but any advice in the interim would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 Sorry to hear about Lottie. It doesn't sound as if there is much you can do for her other than you are already doing - keeping her comfortable and away from your other hens until you can get her to the vet. The fact that she has been vaccinated makes it unlikely, though not impossible, that it is Marek's. It might be worth contacting the breeder to see if any other of their birds have shown similar symptoms but, in view of the fact that she has already had a course of antibiotics, it may just be that the infection has not gone and is getting worse. Good luck tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimmyCustard Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 Poor Lottie and poor you! I think youre doing the best you can for her. Keep her warm and dark and good luck with the vet tomorrow x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 Oh poor Lottie & poor you. Sadly it does sound very much like Mareks or similar neurological disorder. You cannot test for Mareks , you can only judge from clinical symptoms. I would guess that from what you have described it would be kind to have her humanely euthanised. I am so sorry. It is a truly horrible disease, but from my limited knowledge of the condition, hybrids are not usually too susceptible to it. I lost two sablepoots to mareks and it was heartbreaking, esp when you believe they are have been vaccinated It is highly contagious and I'm not sure how long the virus can lurk about for before symptoms develop. It is possible that the breeder has it in their flock. Hopefully your other ladies are resistant Do let us know how you get on. Thinking of you. Alli x Edit. Silkies are esp. prone to mareks & have noticed from your signature that you have foster silkies. I might be tempted to separate them, if you can, just to be safe. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memphisto Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 Thankfully the silkies are well away from my girls, they have their right at the end of the garden and we've put a barrier up around them and our girls are staying away from it thus far. Lottie still in a bad way, my cat is guarding her in the loo atm (Lottie is in a box in downstairs WC room), he normally only does that with illness, when I was ill he guarded me, when his brother was ill, he guarded him too. Will see what the morning brings for us all x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Doesn't sound like Mareks to me, but (as was said earlier) I'd have her PTS as she's probably suffering by now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan08 Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Very sorry to hear about your Lottie, Vanilla our White Star, had similar problems, when she came home within days had a swollen eye, we took her to the vet and it cleared up very quickly, however within a couple of weeks se become very lethargic and wouldnt move and join in with the other girls, the next evening she died on my knee having a stroke and a cuddle. We never found out what the matter was, but it happened very suddenly, we become very attached to our girls and I am sorry to hear she is so poorly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memphisto Posted December 7, 2011 Author Share Posted December 7, 2011 She was PTS this evening, vet 99% certain it was Mareks RIP Little Lottie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 So sorry to hear this. I don't want to worry you but since MD is highly contagious you will have to think about your other hens. It's horrible I know but you will have to watch for symptoms & be prepared to separate your ladies at the first sign that anything is wrong. Fingers crossed for all your other ladies & hugs to you. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memphisto Posted December 7, 2011 Author Share Posted December 7, 2011 You're absolutely right there, close eyes being kept, thank god for having a spare coop too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
