![]() ![]() Use a suitable disinfectant for both huts and equipment such as Virkon or F10.There are several useful products on the market which contain probiotics and/or vitamins, administered in the water. Keep stressors to a minimum or if a known stressor such as a show is imminent, give vitamin supplementation.(Denagard is sometimes prescribed for chickens: this drug combined with the coccidiostat in a grower ration becomes fatal, so only use it in adults on a layer ration). If still showing signs after treatment the bird must be culled as the organism will be too deeply entrenched within the airsacs and hollow bones to be removed, the bird remaining a carrier which will infect others. Tylan Soluble is effective in young stock but seems to be less effective in older stock unless given at the acute (early) stage of the disease. Baytril Oral should not be used in laying hens as it will take them out of the food chain. Tylan Soluble is licensed for the treatment of mycoplasma and is probably the best treatment. Diagnosisĭiagnosis is on clinical signs, see above.įig 5 Swollen hock (Fig 4) and Apical eggshell deformities (Fig 5) both due to Mycoplasma synoviaeįig 6 White Orpington with severely swollen sinuses and nasal discharge TreatmentĪntibiotic treatment will not completely cure the disease but will reduce the incidence to a tolerably low level. Reduced egg production and reduced weight gain in chickens, turkeys, waterfowl and pheasants. Transmission is also through the egg, plus carried on the clothes and hands of people tending the birds. Nasal discharge and cool temperatures are protective of the organism so any sneezing will deposit droplets which will remain infective for several days. Note swollen sinus (arrowed) Transmission There is a particular sweet smell associated with this discharge which to the sensitive nose is immediately apparent when entering a hen house.įig 3: Nebraskan Spotted Turkey with Mycoplasma. When nasal discharge is evident, feathers become stained with this as the bird tries to clean its eyes and nostrils. Mycoplasma iowae: signs included reduced hatchability in turkey breeders, twisted legs in turkey poults. Mycoplasma meleagridis: signs include poor growth in turkey poults and lowered hatchability in turkey breeders. Mycoplasma synoviae: signs include swollen and hot joints in chickens and turkeys and/or respiratory signs as above, or thin, deformed shells at the broad (apical) end of the egg. This one is the main culprit in backyard flocks. Mycoplasma gallisepticum: signs can include foamy eyes, sneezing, nasal discharge, swollen eyelids and sinuses, reduced egg production and gasping in chickens, turkeys and pheasants, swollen sinuses in waterfowl. Four out of the known 17 species of mycoplasma are pathogenic in poultry: ![]() ![]() ![]() The organism is neither a bacterium nor a virus in size, but part way between, having no cell wall but with a plasma membrane. Debilitating factors include nutritional deficiency, excessive environmental ammonia and dust and stressors such as changes in the pecking order or exhibitions.įig 1: Normal turkey head (note quite sunken appearance): Bourbon Red femaleįig 2: Normal chicken head: Australorp female Causes and clinical signs coli or infectious bronchitis (IB is certainly now more common in free-range flocks) or if the birds are stressed or debilitated. It appears to thrive in the bird when other pathogens are present, such as E. The incubation period before clinical signs appear can be as little as a few days - it is very infectious. Mainly the respiratory system in poultry is affected and the disease may be becoming more common, spreading with increased travelling of stock, more people keeping chickens and mixing them from different sources. The disease acquired the name mycoplasma once the causative organism had been discovered. There is mention in the old books of similar symptoms from about 100 years ago but it has generally been called roup or a common cold. Mycoplasma in poultry is not a new disease. ![]()
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