Wednesday, 14 November 2012

Marek's


Hattie has it.  I am devastated.

One of her wings is paralysed and the toes on her left legs have lost movement and that same leg is noticeably weaker than the other.

The combined effect of these two things has changed her stance. To counterbalance her weight she stands, as my vet described it, like a peacock, with her bottom in the air.

She walks slowly, and on a slight angle.  When she sits, her left leg sticks out in front of her.  She has good days and not so good days, but she is feisty and fighting, interested in life and not in pain.

She is allowed out to free range still, but only when my other girls are put in their run, otherwise she is in the house.

She is being given a steroid injection weekly, to lessen the effects of the disease whilst I am giving her Hypericum.  She has one tablet, twice a day in a tablespoon amount of distilled water.  I have read that it has been used successfully against Marek's.  I will try anything that could possibly help.

I KNOW that it is possible to survive Marek's, so we will keep on going.  
She is not in pain and as long as she is not, we will keep going.

I just want my little hen to get better x




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8 comments:

  1. sorry to read about that, poor chicken, but so lucky that she has a kind owner who is willing to look after her through all of this. I hope that she does recover and will be interested to read about your treatment. I don't think Marecks is a major problem in Aus, but you never know when this info will be useful.

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    1. Thank you Liz x
      Apparently Marek's is really common, so much so that most chickens have been exposed to it, but it doesn't take hold on most. Sadly it is giving Hattie a hard time. I will keep you updated, I hope we can get through this xxx

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  2. So sorry about Hattie. You are being a great mom nursing her back to health and still allowing her the freedom she loves. Fingers crossed and my hopes fot the best for you both. Take care.

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    1. Thank you Joan, I have everything crossed too! xxxx

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  3. I'm so sorry to hear Hattie's sick. Hugs to both you and her and best wishes for a full recovery

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    1. Thank you Lynn, your kind words are very much appreciated xxxx

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  4. I wish you all the best.

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