Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[Vikki56]

Hello,

 

I'm new to this forum so I hope you won't think this a silly question. We've just found out that one of our 5 ex batts Trelawney has Marek's disease, I noticed it a couple of days ago when she was wobbly coming out of her run and she was flapping a lot to keep balance, but as she was an ex batt I was sure she would have been vaccinated. A trip to the vet and he agrees with my diagnosis & that it is Marek's. Having read up about the disease it sounds awful & my immediate impulse was to take Trelawney straight back but she is still alert, coming out of the coop & lying on the grass eating her dandelions as per usual. I know she won't get better & I know I will have to take her to the vet but I don't like the thought of cutting her time short (she has only been with us 6 months having been rescued at Christmas) equally though I definitely don't want her suffering. Has anyone got any advice?

 

Many thanks,

 

Vikki

[Tweety]

Hi,

 

I'm sorry to hear about your hen. Marek's is infectious, so the first thing I would do is separate her from your other hens, and thoroughly clean out their housing and run.

 

As far as I am aware. Marek's usually affects young birds and your ex batt will have been vaccinated against it, although some may slip through the net. Is your vet sure about the diagnosis?

 

I had a Pekin with similar symptoms, and immediately assumed Marek's, but my avian specialist vet ruled it out because of her age (18 months) and thought that it was more likely to have been a stroke or brain tumour. I believe that these symptoms can also be the result of an egg pressing on a nerve too.

 

Either way, you will just have to see how it goes and make your decision based on her quality of life. If she were mine, I would keep her isolated, watch her carefully and give her a couple of days to see if she improves - just in case it isn't Marek's. If not, or she deteriorates or appears to be suffering, I would go back to the vet.

 

Good luck.