mullethunter Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 What is going on?? Margot seems fine now, and so was everyone else at lunch time. But I came home to find Barbara almost unable to walk - really very wobbly, wings almost dragging on the ground, tail down. She looks like she's dying. She was the most difficult to shut in at lunch time because she was running around like a lunatic as usual but now she's sitting on her own in a corner with her beak open occasionally making a little noise Does mareks come on that fast? She looks like she's had a stroke to be honest. Obviously I'll take her to the vets tomorrow if she's still like it but what should I do now? Should I separate her? She hates being on her own but I'll be heartbroken if it is mareks and they all get it. Or will it be too late by now anyway? Very worried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 I haven't got the answers, sorry, but I didn't want to just leave you. My experience of mareks is that it comes on gradually, so I don't necessarily think that is your problem, tho it could be. If it was, then yes you should separate her, and given she really sounds quite ill, then I would do that anyway. Pop her in a box with bedding, plenty of air holes, cool, calm and quiet, to prevent the others picking on her and to give her a fighting chance. Then, all things being equal, I would take her to the vet tomoz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted April 6, 2017 Author Share Posted April 6, 2017 It was VERY sudden. Absolutely fine at 13:15 then like this at 16:15. I've got her in chicken hospital (cat box in the utility room). Never seen anything like this. It's horrible. Thankyou for reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 The other two things I could think of are Botulism or Avian Influenza. Although the latter doesn't sound likely, as there is no mention anywere on chickens not able to walk. Hope she gets better soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted April 6, 2017 Author Share Posted April 6, 2017 No I don't think there's any reason it would be AI. I'll look up botulism but can't imagine where she would've got that from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 Do you think she could have banged her head on the roof of the run somehow ? She could be wobbly from that maybe ? I don't have any other answers, sorry. I hope she is OK. How is she right now ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 Sorry to hear about this - what's the latest? Marek's has two versions - the fast one, which can paralyse and kill in a couple of hours, and the slow one, which causes them to go off their feet - but without the characteristic paralysis, and they just seem generally off before you decided to despatch them as they aren't recovering. Neither is easy to diagnose for certain, except by PM, when the lesions can be seen clearly. I hope that she has recovered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted April 6, 2017 Author Share Posted April 6, 2017 Thanks Luvachicken and DM. Luvachicken it's not impossible that she somehow injured herself - OH was at home this afternoon and said they were making an exceptional amount of noise at one point. DM Thankyou for the info. I didn't realise there was a form of marks that was THAT quick. So it could be that. She's not dead though. She's taken herself to the back of the cat box (I feel bad for her because I know she prefers to perch) and is asleep. She stirred when I checked on her an hour or so ago so I know she's still with us. I'll check her again now before I go to bed and them it's just fingers crossed for the morning. For some reason it's all the harder to take because she's usually SO active. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 6, 2017 Share Posted April 6, 2017 Could it be that they were scared by an animal attacking the run, and she flew at the mesh, stunning herself? She may just have shock, in which case treat as for humans; dim lighting, keep warm and quiet, make sure thay she eats and drinks - syringing if necessary. Marek's is related to the herpes virus, it remains dormant in the background, taking hold in times of stress or illness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted April 7, 2017 Author Share Posted April 7, 2017 The same or maybe slightly worse this morning. I've made her a little 1m square run outside in sight of the others but can't put her out there yet because it's frosty this morning! She's done one normal poo overnight, but won't eat or drink anything. I've given her some nutri-drops and will strings in some water if she hasn't eaten or drunk before I have to go to work. Have a long day out in the field today. Not sure what to do about vets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 Keep up the water and Nutridrops, if she is still alive later today, then try a little wet mash made with pellets and hot water. If she doesn't improve, then (personally) I'd consider PTS. I hope this is just temporary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted April 7, 2017 Author Share Posted April 7, 2017 Thankyou. I'm not too hopeful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 If she's not too good, then it's probably best to do it sooner rather than later - sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted April 7, 2017 Author Share Posted April 7, 2017 PTS. Post mortem ordered for the sake of the others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 I'm sorry to hear that, but you did all you could in the circs, although if it was mareks you would have been powerless to help in any case let us know the outcome of the PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 7, 2017 Share Posted April 7, 2017 That's the best you could have done. If it is Marek's, then you will have learned what to look for in future (TBH, some vets struggle) It's not an easy one to prevent as it's something that's always lurking in the background (like the human herpes virus) and it sets off at periods of stress or low immunity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 How horrible, I am so sorry to read this Fly free Margot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 I'm so sorry to read that she had to be put to sleep Sweet dreams little one xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted April 11, 2017 Author Share Posted April 11, 2017 Thank you all for your kind words. To be honest it was so sudden I still can't quite get my head around the fact that she isn't here any more. Anyway - spoke to the vet today - unfortunately the post mortem was inconclusive. No obvious sign of mareks, or really anything else. Suggested that it could have been meningitis?! If there were no signs of mareks does that mean it wasn't mareks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 Yes, usually there are lesions on the nerve endings, and various tumours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted April 11, 2017 Author Share Posted April 11, 2017 Thanks DM - hopefully I can rule that out then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeramaSilly Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 Only just read this, so sorry to hear about poor Margot - it's just so horrible when we lose them. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
