Poultry Disease Flashcards

Flashcards covering various poultry diseases, their causes, symptoms, and prevention methods.

Hemorrhagic Enteritis

Adenovirus; Fecal-oral route, contaminated water/feed/equipment; Bloody droppings, depression, anemia, enlarged spleen, sudden death (mainly in turkeys); Vaccination, biosecurity, all-in-all-out management.

Avian Influenza

Influenza A virus; Direct contact, contaminated feed/water/equipment, airborne; Respiratory distress, decreased egg production, swollen combs/wattles, nasal discharge, lethargy, sudden death; Strict biosecurity, surveillance, culling, some vaccines (virus can mutate).

Marek’s Disease

Herpesvirus; Airborne, inhalation of infected dust/dander; Paralysis, tumors, gray/irregular pupils, weight loss; Effective vaccines, vaccinate chicks, sanitation, resistant breeds.

Newcastle Disease

Paramyxovirus; Airborne, direct contact, contaminated feed/water/equipment; Respiratory distress, nervous symptoms, diarrhea, decreased egg production, sudden death; Effective vaccines, biosecurity, quarantine.

Infectious Bronchitis

Coronavirus; Airborne, direct contact, contaminated equipment; Respiratory signs, decreased egg production, misshapen eggs, kidney damage; Vaccination, biosecurity, controlled exposure in breeders.

Infectious Laryngotracheitis

Herpesvirus; Respiratory route, direct contact, contaminated equipment; Bloody mucus in trachea, gasping, coughing, extended neck, decreased egg production; Vaccination, biosecurity, proper disposal, cleaning and disinfection.

Necrotic Enteritis

Clostridium perfringens; Fecal-oral, ingestion of spores from litter; Severe intestinal damage, foul-smelling diarrhea, depression, decreased appetite, sudden death; Feed additives, proper nutrition, coccidiosis control, good litter management.

Salmonellosis

Salmonella bacteria; Fecal-oral, contaminated feed/water, rodent vectors; Diarrhea, weakness, poor growth, decreased egg production, arthritis; Good sanitation, rodent control, feed acidification, probiotics, some vaccines.

E. coli Infection

Escherichia coli; Fecal contamination, dust, respiratory route; Respiratory distress, swollen joints, peritonitis, decreased egg production, septicemia; Good ventilation, litter management, water sanitation, stress reduction, some vaccines.

Botulism

Clostridium botulinum; Ingestion of toxin from decaying organic matter, maggots; Flaccid paralysis, weakness, inability to stand, drooping wings, death; Remove dead birds, control maggots, prevent access to decaying organic matter.

Pasteurellosis (Fowl Cholera)

Pasteurella multocida; Direct contact, contaminated water, rodent/wild bird vectors; Fever, mucous discharge, respiratory distress, joint swelling, sudden death; Biosecurity, rodent control, vaccines, antibiotic treatment.

Bacterial Encephalitis

Various bacteria; Often follows other infections/injuries; Neurological signs, twisted neck, incoordination, paralysis; Treat primary conditions, good hygiene, proper nutrition.

Infectious Coryza

Avibacterium paragallinarum; Airborne droplets, direct contact, contaminated water/equipment; Facial swelling, nasal discharge, decreased egg production, reduced feed intake; Biosecurity, all-in-all-out management, vaccines, avoid mixing birds of different ages.

Bordetellosis

Bordetella avium; Airborne, direct contact, water contamination; Respiratory signs, tracheal lesions, sneezing, decreased growth; Good ventilation, reduced stocking density, vaccines for turkeys.

Mycoplasmosis

Mycoplasma gallisepticum/synoviae; Vertical transmission, direct contact, airborne; Chronic respiratory disease, nasal discharge, swollen sinuses, decreased egg production; Maintain mycoplasma-free flocks, testing, medication, biosecurity.

Candidiasis

Candida albicans fungus; Ingestion of fungus, often secondary to other conditions; Crop infections, white plaques, poor growth, regurgitation; Good sanitation, proper water management, appropriate antibiotic use, antifungal treatment.

Aspergillosis

Aspergillus fumigatus fungus; Inhalation of spores from moldy litter/feed; Respiratory distress, gasping, reduced growth, pneumonia, airsacculitis; Good ventilation, dry litter, mold-free feed, proper hatchery sanitation.

Coccidiosis

Eimeria species protozoa; Fecal-oral, ingestion of oocysts; Bloody diarrhea, decreased growth, lethargy, huddling, death; Anticoccidial drugs, vaccines, good litter management, biosecurity.

Parasitic Worms

Various nematodes, cestodes, etc.; Ingestion of eggs or intermediate hosts; Weight loss, decreased egg production, diarrhea, anemia; Regular deworming, litter management, control of intermediate hosts, pasture rotation.

Histomoniasis (Blackhead)

Histomonas meleagridis protozoa; Ingestion of infected cecal worm eggs, direct contact; Sulfur-colored droppings, lethargy, drooping wings, head discoloration, liver/cecal lesions; Strict biosecurity, control of cecal worms, separate turkeys from chickens, some preventative medications.

Encephalomalacia (Crazy Chick Disease)

Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency; Nutritional deficiency; Neurological signs, incoordination, head retraction, circling, leg weakness; Proper feed formulation with adequate vitamin E/selenium, fresh feed.

Ammonia Poisoning

Environmental ammonia from litter; Inhalation; Eye irritation, respiratory distress, blindness, increased susceptibility to respiratory disease; Good ventilation, proper litter management, stocking density, litter amendments.

Dust Pneumonia

Environmental dust; Inhalation; Respiratory distress, reduced growth, increased mortality; Dust control, proper ventilation, avoid dry, dusty conditions.