Coccidiosis
It is caused by a protozoan parasite known as Eimeria that invades the cells of the poultry intestine. The disease is considered one of the most severe health and economical problems in poultry that causes an enormous loss to poultry producers worldwide.
Symptoms
- Birds become weak.
- Blood in droppings.
- Feathers are ruffled.
- Some birds will die (mortality).
- Enteritis – inflammation of the small intestine.
- Weight loss due to reduced ability to absorb nutrients.
Prevention
Coccidiosis can be prevented and/or controlled in the following ways:
- Young birds should always have bedding/litter that is clean and dry.
- Isolate infected birds.
- Keep equipment clean.
- Observe hygiene and sanitation.
Treatment
Affected birds can be treated with:
- Sulphamezathine – an antibacterial, i.e., a substance that prevents the growth or spread of bacteria.
- Amprolium – a coccidiostat, i.e., a substance administered to poultry or cattle to retard the growth and reproduction of coccidian parasites.
- ESB 3 – is a water-soluble powder that can be used for the treatment of coccidiosis and infectious coryza in poultry.
- Embazin-Forte – a broad spectrum anticoccidial agent indicated for the fast and effective control of coccidiosis in chickens and rabbits.
Helminthiasis
Helminthiasis is an infection by members of the phylum Nematoda (roundworms) or the class Cestoda (tapeworms, flatworms).
Symptoms
Infected birds develop symptoms such as:
- General unthriftiness or lethargy (a lack of energy).
- Depressed appetite.
- Suppressed growth.
- In severe cases, death may result.
Small intestines of a broiler chicken impacted with Ascaridia galli, the most common roundworm infecting poultry
Prevention
- Improvement of management and sanitation in confined operations will generally lower the parasite levels in birds.
- Application of approved insecticides to soil and litter when premises are unoccupied may interrupt the life cycle of the parasite by destroying its intermediate host.
- When the premises are restocked, groups of birds of different species or ages should be separated to avoid the spread of parasites.
- Yard rotation.
Treatment
- Few drugs are available for the treatment of chickens and other poultry.
- Piperazine – an anthelmintic (a type of medicine that kills helminths/worms)
- Phenothiazine – is a synthetic compound which is used in veterinary medicine to treat parasitic infestations of animals.
- Birds should only be treated in cases of severe infection that show clinical signs.
Histomoniasis
(Also called Blackhead, Infectious enterohepatitis)
Histomoniasis is a protozoal disease of turkeys, chickens and game birds. It often occurs in turkeys reared with or after chickens. It is caused by Histomonas meleagridis which is transmitted in the ova of caecal worms (Heterakis gallinarum) and by earthworms. Transmission of H meleagridis occurs by direct cloacal contact with infected birds or via fresh droppings.
Traditionally, histomoniasis has been thought of as doing little damage to chickens. However, outbreaks in chickens may cause morbidity and moderate mortality. Liver lesions tend to be absent or less severe in chickens but can involve secondary bacterial infections. In most cases, chickens recover from symptoms but remain carriers, whereas turkeys succumb to the infection.
Symptoms
- listlessness
- reduced appetite
- drooping wings
- unkempt feathers
- yellow faecal droppings in the later stages of the disease
The origin of the name “blackhead” is obscure and misleading; birds do not display cyanotic heads.
Prevention and Treatment
- Chickens should not be raised with other Galliformes (i.e., other land fowl).
- Frequent worming of chickens with benzimidazole anthelmintics helps reduce exposure to H gallinarum worms that carry the infection.
- No treatments are available. Historically, nitroimidazoles such as ronidazole, ipronidazole, and dimetridazole were used for prevention and treatment and were highly effective. Some of these products can be used by veterinary prescription in non-food-producing birds.