Difference between revisions of "Coccidiosis - Game Birds"
| (3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| + | {{OpenPagesTop}} | ||
== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
| − | There are three main species of coccidia in pheasants, all three of which fall into the Eimeria genus. In the guinea fowl there are two species described which cause severe disease. Partridges and Quail also are known to be | + | There are three main species of [[:Category:Coccidia|coccidia]] in pheasants, all three of which fall into the [[Eimeria spp.|''Eimeria'']] genus. In the guinea fowl there are two species described which cause severe disease. Partridges and Quail also are known to be susceptible to coccidia which will cause acute and severe enteritis. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| + | Poults succumb to the disease much more readily than older birds, with severe enteritis causing mortality in some cases. In game birds however, in comparison to other farmed birds, the disease is less prevalent as game birds are usually kept in outdoor pens in a less intensive environment. | ||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
General malaise and depression such as a reluctance to eat and weight loss is seen in more chronic forms of the disease. In acute types, sudden death may be the only sign noticed. Mucoid or haemorrhagic diarrhoea is usually seen with most coccidia species. | General malaise and depression such as a reluctance to eat and weight loss is seen in more chronic forms of the disease. In acute types, sudden death may be the only sign noticed. Mucoid or haemorrhagic diarrhoea is usually seen with most coccidia species. | ||
| − | |||
== Diagnosis == | == Diagnosis == | ||
| − | History and clinical signs, along with a post mortem of a sick bird that is unlikely to recover (the bird will be | + | History and clinical signs, along with a post mortem of a sick bird that is unlikely to recover (the bird will be sacrificed because of this for the purpose of the post mortem). Gross lesions that may be seen on post mortem include caseous core lesion in the caecum, along with a build up of reddish- brown fluid in the intestines. |
A sample of mucosa should be taken for examination under the microscope in order to identify oocysts, which will confirm the diagnosis. Specific identification of genus of coccidia is not required as treatment is the same for all. | A sample of mucosa should be taken for examination under the microscope in order to identify oocysts, which will confirm the diagnosis. Specific identification of genus of coccidia is not required as treatment is the same for all. | ||
| − | |||
== Treatment and Control == | == Treatment and Control == | ||
| − | + | Hygiene measures are important in controlling the disease. With game birds it is especially important to try to prevent wild birds entering the enclosure or defecating in the area as wild birds tend to have high levels of coccidia but are usually resistant to it. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| + | If an outbreak does occur, treatment should be given in the form of sulphonamides. Other anticoccidial treatments should not be used as their safety in game birds is not known. | ||
| Line 34: | Line 31: | ||
| + | {{review}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{OpenPages}} | ||
| − | + | [[Category:Alimentary_Diseases_-_Birds]] [[Category:Expert_Review - Bird]] | |
Latest revision as of 14:21, 20 July 2012
Introduction
There are three main species of coccidia in pheasants, all three of which fall into the Eimeria genus. In the guinea fowl there are two species described which cause severe disease. Partridges and Quail also are known to be susceptible to coccidia which will cause acute and severe enteritis.
Poults succumb to the disease much more readily than older birds, with severe enteritis causing mortality in some cases. In game birds however, in comparison to other farmed birds, the disease is less prevalent as game birds are usually kept in outdoor pens in a less intensive environment.
Clinical Signs
General malaise and depression such as a reluctance to eat and weight loss is seen in more chronic forms of the disease. In acute types, sudden death may be the only sign noticed. Mucoid or haemorrhagic diarrhoea is usually seen with most coccidia species.
Diagnosis
History and clinical signs, along with a post mortem of a sick bird that is unlikely to recover (the bird will be sacrificed because of this for the purpose of the post mortem). Gross lesions that may be seen on post mortem include caseous core lesion in the caecum, along with a build up of reddish- brown fluid in the intestines.
A sample of mucosa should be taken for examination under the microscope in order to identify oocysts, which will confirm the diagnosis. Specific identification of genus of coccidia is not required as treatment is the same for all.
Treatment and Control
Hygiene measures are important in controlling the disease. With game birds it is especially important to try to prevent wild birds entering the enclosure or defecating in the area as wild birds tend to have high levels of coccidia but are usually resistant to it.
If an outbreak does occur, treatment should be given in the form of sulphonamides. Other anticoccidial treatments should not be used as their safety in game birds is not known.
References
Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition) Merial
Jordan, F, Pattison, M, Alexander, D, Fargher, T (1999) Poultry Diseases (Fifth Edition) W.B. Saunders
Saif, Y.M (2008) Diseases of Poultry (Twelfth Edition) Blackwell Publishing
 |
This article has been peer reviewed but is awaiting expert review. If you would like to help with this, please see more information about expert reviewing. |
Error in widget FBRecommend: unable to write file /var/www/wikivet.net/extensions/Widgets/compiled_templates/wrt674335664db357_27185406 Error in widget google+: unable to write file /var/www/wikivet.net/extensions/Widgets/compiled_templates/wrt67433566559eb1_00405281 Error in widget TwitterTweet: unable to write file /var/www/wikivet.net/extensions/Widgets/compiled_templates/wrt674335665afdb8_12094155
|
| WikiVet® Introduction - Help WikiVet - Report a Problem |