backyard poultry health: what every veterinarian (large ... vvc notes/walters- backyard...
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J E S S I C A W A L T E R S , D V M , P H D
V I R G I N I A D E P A R T M E N T O F A G R I C U L T U R E A N D C O N S U M E R S E R V I C E S
F E B R U A R Y 1 7 T H , 2 0 1 7
Backyard Poultry Health: What Every Veterinarian
(Large & Small) Should Know
Outline
Background and Poultry Production Basics
Examination of a Backyard Bird
Samples and Diagnostics
Important Diseases of Backyard Poultry
Biosecurity Tips
Treatment and the Veterinary Feed Directive
Useful Resources
What’s involved in backyard poultry production?
Managing the environment Housing
Lights
Protection from
predators/weather
Manure/Waste
Mitigating disease risk Vaccination
Monitoring
Biosecurity
Nutrition
Genetics/Breed
http://www.extension.umn.edu/food/small-farms/livestock/poultry/backyard-chicken-basics/
Most Common Complaints:
My birds stopped laying!
One of my birds died!
My bird is lame!
I got new birds in and now mine are sick!
But they looked healthy when I got them!
My birds have diarrhea!
My hens are eating their shells!
But I’ve had that before and it doesn’t look the same!
But they were fine yesterday!
My chicken is losing feathers!
Handling Poultry
Stressed out easily
Likely will be in box or small carrier
Remove with both hands around the entire body with wings held folded against the body
Control points: wings and legs
Support abdomen
Make sure if on an exam table that they have a towel to stand on for traction
May need to use a towel to restrain smaller species
Anatomical and Physiological Differences
Integument: Feathers, Scales, Beak
Respiratory: Complete tracheal rings, air sacs, non-expansive lungs, no diaphragm
Gastrointestinal: No teeth, crop, gizzard (grinding stomach), cloaca (common outflow), cecal tonsils
Circulatory: Two portal systems (hepatic, renal)
Hematological: nRBCs, no liquefactive enzymes
Renal: Uric acid, no bladder
Immunological: Bursa, no lymph nodes
Anatomical and Physiological Differences
Reproductive: Only left side develops, internal testes, different parts develop the egg
Musculoskeletal: Bones adapted for flight, many fused, airsacs extend into some bones
CNS/Special Senses: Few gyri and sulci, bone in eye, large optic lobes
Physical Exam
Eyes: look for conjunctivitis, swelling, cloudiness
Nares: look for discharge, note color and consistency
Mouth: look for abnormal masses/plaques
Combs/Wattles: abnormal coloration, masses
Feathers/Wings: abnormal feather loss/patterns, feather breakage, mites
Body: prominent keel bone, poor body conditioning
Cloaca: evidence of mites, diarrhea
Feet: discoloration, missing scales, burns, swelling
Physical Exam
Normal TPR:
Temperature (daylight):
105.0-109.4 F
Pulse:
Adult: 250-300 bpm
Chick: 350-450 bpm
Respiration:
12-37 bpm
Highly situational and weight dependent
Life Span:
Breed Dependent
Approximately 8-15 years
In Lay?
Pubic bones should be flexible, width 3-4 fingers
Common Signs of Illness in Poultry
Respiratory
Sneezing
“Snick”
Oculo-nasal discharge
Swollen sinuses
Open-mouth breathing
Harsh respiratory sounds
Head shaking
“Vulture” stance
Gastro-Intestinal
Loose stools
“Pasty” vents (white)
Bloody diarrhea
Weight loss
“Vulture” stance
http://keep-hens-raise-chickens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Infectious-Bronchitis.bmp
Common Signs of Illness in Poultry
Neurologic
Lameness
Abnormal head position
Falling over
Abnormal gait
Inability to stand
Cardiovascular
Sudden death
“Water-belly”
Reproductive
Egg production loss
Abnormal shape/texture
Straining
https://www.vettimes.co.uk/archives/vt14/VT4402902601F002.jpg
Samples
Blood Sites for collection: Jugular, Wing Vein, Saphenous, Heart
Primary sample needed is Serum
Swabs Oro-pharyngeal, Tracheal, Choanal, Cloacal
BHI broth for PCR testing, Polyester Swabs
Fecal
Tissues
If suspecting an “abscess”,
do not lance it! Remember birds
do not form pus.
Diagnostics
ELISA/AGID for antibodies
Submit to VDACS as serum for in-house or referral testing
PCR
Swabs/BHI broth can be used for PCR testing
In-house or referral
Culturettes
Culture and sensitivity if needed
Feces for Fecal Floatation
Submission of tissues for culture and histopathology
Necropsy
Necropsy through VDACS
Yearly Animal Health Umbrella Cooperative Agreement grant in place to allow free necropsies for backyard producers
Birds should ideally be live or fresh dead
If dead, DO NOT FREEZE
Birds will be tested for Avian Influenza
Surveillance mechanism
Necropsy includes all internal testing in VDACS laboratory system
If referrals are needed, producer will be billed separately
Important Diseases of Backyard Poultry
Viral
AVIAN INFLUENZA
ILT
NEWCASTLE DISEASE
PMV-1
Pox
Parasitic
Mites
Coccidia
Worms
Heterakis
Roundworms
Bacterial
Chlamydophila
Mycoplasma
E. coli
Salmonella
Bumblefoot
Neoplastic (viral)
Marek’s Disease
Leukosis (ALV)
Miscellaneous
Reproductive
Nutritional
Avian Influenza
LPAI
Variable morbidity/mortality rates
Respiratory signs possible
Production drop
HPAI
High morbidity/mortality
External hemorrhage/cyanosis
Respiratory signs and production drop probable
REPORTABLE
Diagnosis:
PCR
Oropharyngeal swabs
Cloacal swabs
Serum
http://lrd.spc.int/ext/Disease_Manual_Final/Avian_Influenza.jpg
Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT)
Chickens only (>4 weeks)
Clinical Signs: Difficulty breathing,
extending head and neck
Possible blood expectorate
May see conjunctivitis with swollen eyes
High morbidity, moderate mortality
Long course of disease
Chick Embryo Origin vaccine not allowed in mainland VA
REPORTABLE
Diagnosis: PCR
Oropharyngeal swabs
http://eshop.bellsouth.com.au/WebRoot/ecshared01/Shops/bellsouth/MediaGallery/Categories/tech_images/ilt-1,Medium.jpg
“Newcastle Disease”/ Avian PMV-1
Multiple forms Lentogenic
Mesogenic
Velogenic (VVND, NVND)
Clinical signs Mild respiratory signs
Respiratory signs with mild neurologic signs and low mortality
High mortality with respiratory/nervous signs or hemorrhagic intestinal lesions
VELOGENIC = REPORTABLE “Exotic Newcastle”
Vaccination available
Diagnosis: PCR
Oropharyngeal swabs
Cloacal swabs
Serum
http://www.nadis.org.uk/media/20841/060211_1415_DiseasesofF5.png
Avian Pox
Two forms:
Cutaneous: “Dry”
Mild clinical signs
Reddish-brown scabs
Diphtheritic: “Wet”
Upper respiratory/GI
Dyspnea & inappetance
Prevented by vaccination
Treatment: none
Diagnosis: lesions and histopathology
External Parasites
Mites
Multiple types
Red mites
Can cause anemia
Nest mites
Northern fowl mites
Birds often irritable, agitated, losing weight
Diagnosis: Look for mites around the vent and feather base
Treat bird and environment
Internal Parasites
Worms
Heterakis (cecal worm)
Pathogenic to turkeys
Associated with “Blackhead disease”
Warn against housing chickens and turkeys together
Ascarids (roundworms)
Large impactions detrimental
Diagnosis: Fecal floatation
Treatment: de-wormers
http://www.arcatapet.com/fullsize/15109.jpg
http://www.arkcountrystore.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Strike3PoultryDewormer.jpg
Internal Parasites
Coccidia Huge issue for poultry that
free range!
Different species affect chickens and turkeys
Specific to certain areas of the gut
Clinical signs:
Diarrhea (can be bloody)
Weight loss
Stunting
Diagnosis: Fecal float, gut scrape
Sometimes occurs with necrotic enteritis
Treatment: Anti-coccidial
Herbal supplements
Oregano
Cayenne
Black pepper oil
http://cdn.backyardchickens.com/8/8f/500x1000px-LL-8ffb100b_amprol.jpeg
Chlamydophila/Psittacosis
Significant public health concern flu-like symptoms in humans
Tell your doctor you have had contact with birds!
Treatment: Doxycycline
Also a concern in Psittacines
Diagnosis: Histopathology
REPORTABLE
Clinical signs:
Conjunctivitis
Mild respiratory signs
Diarrhea
Marked yellow-green diarrhea in turkeys
Mycoplasma
Two main species of concern: M. gallisepticum
M. synoviae
Highly contagious
High prevalence in VA
Clinical signs: Asymptomatic
Drop in egg production
Respiratory signs
Clear oculo-nasal discharge
Swollen sinuses
Diagnosis: PCR
Oropharyngeal swabs
Serum
http://cdn.backyardchickens.com/c/c7/350x700px-LL-c7f5db7a_photo113.jpeg
Mycoplasma
Huge concern for owners with “open flocks” and those that frequent bird swaps
Treatment:
Treat clinical signs
Goes dormant, can relapse in times of stress
Re-test often via PCR
Close flock and maintain biosecurity
Best suggestion is to depopulate flock
E. coli
Environmental organism
Often a secondary disease-causing agent
Inadequate ventilation can contribute
Clinical signs:
Respiratory signs
Drop in egg production
Diarrhea
Diagnosis:
Ideally culture and sensitivity of recently deceased birds
Treatment: Depends on sensitivity
Salmonella
Multiple different species Some zoonotic
Issue especially when birds handled closely or by children
Clinical signs: No clinical disease
Diarrhea + high mortality
Continue to shed despite treatment Most backyard birds carry
the bacteria
Diagnosis: Environmental PCR
Salmonella culture
Serotyping
NPIP Testing to eradicate S. pullorum and S. gallinarum
http://media1.s-nbcnews.com/i/newscms/2014_18/408006/140429-chickens-jms-2330_24cb39eb25efac82eb9ef600e730d6bc.jpg
Bumblefoot
Multiple bacterial species implicated
Purulent arthritis, tenosynovitis
Environmental pathogen: Associated with a skin break
Clinical signs: Swollen, hot joint
White to yellow fibrinopurulent exudatecaseous
http://cdn.backyardchickens.com/7/7d/7d71fa9e_72944_bumble2.jpeg
Diagnosis: Culture and sensitivity
Treatment: Dependent on culture results
Marek’s Disease
Viral neoplasia in birds
Most common in young, sexually immature chickens (2-7 months)
Can occur at any age
Transmission through feather follicle dander
Clinical signs:
Depression, cachexia
Asymmetric partial paralysis
Dilation of the crop
Blindness
Vaccination from hatchery: $0.10/bird
Diagnosis: Histopathology
Treatment: None
http://kienyejichicken.co.ke/images/388_221_11aac9a41fbd9749d7f25a13a631bc26f377d5c7.jpg
Leukosis
Clinical signs can look identical to Marek’s
May see osteopetrosis of the long bones
Mortality most common in chickens >16 weeks
Cloacal palpation of Bursa may be useful
Nodular enlargement
Egg transmission important
No vaccine
Diagnosis: Histopathology
Treatment: None
Miscellaneous: Reproductive
Egg-Binding
Obesity, Ca+ deficiency
Treatment:
Digital lubrication,
Administer Calcium gluconate, oxytocin
Soft Shelled eggs
Calcium:Phosphorous imbalance (2:1 ideal)
Make sure complete diet
Vaginal Prolapse
Increased frequency with obese birds
Rupture of yolks can lead to peritonitis
May never heal enough to lay again
http://vitalfarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Strange-squishy-egg-.jpg
Talk to Your Clients About Disease Prevention
Biosecurity!
Keep separate clothing (coveralls, shoes) specific to working with your birds, change afterwards.
Wash your hands after handling birds or bird material
Quarantine new birds/flocks
Use appropriate disinfectants when transferring supplies or yourself between birds (i.e. footbaths)
Buy from reputable dealers/suppliers
Monitor your flock for signs of illness
Keep age groups separate-different disease risks
Ideal to enclose birds to prevent access to wild birds.
Disease Treatment
VCPR needed
Individual birds:
Oral, injectable antibiotics
Flock treatment:
Feed, water antibiotics
WILL REQUIRE VFD
Organic/”All natural” treatments are becoming increasingly popular
REMEMBER:
BACKYARD POULTRY ARE CONSIDERED FOOD ANIMAL SPECIES
Consider withdrawal times and if you plan on using anything extra-label
http://poultryhealthtoday.com/
Veterinary Feed Directive
“Starting January 1, 2017, medically important antimicrobials in medicated feed will become veterinary feed directive (VFD) drugs and the resulting VFD feed must be authorized by a licensed veterinarian and distributed and used in compliance with the VFD regulation.”
IF YOU SEE BIRDS, YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE NEW REGULATIONS
Useful Resources
Diseases of Poultry, 13th Ed.
Avian Disease Manual, 7th Ed.
American Association of Avian Pathologists
Virginia Department of Ag and Consumer Services
http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov//
FDA, Veterinary Feed Directive
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/default.htm
VDACS RAHL Contact Information
Warrenton
272 Academy Hill Road Warrenton, VA 20186
540-316-6543
Harrisonburg
261 Mount Clinton Pike Harrisonburg, VA 22802
540-209-9130
Lynchburg
4832 Tyreeanna Road Lynchburg, VA 24504
434-200-9988
Wytheville
250 Cassell Road Wytheville, VA 24382
276-228-5501
Questions?
Contact info: Jessica Walters, Poultry Diagnostician [email protected] 540-209-9130 261 Mount Clinton Pike Harrisonburg, VA 22802