poultry diseases affecting the digestive system

written by: dr. jacquie jacob, university of kentucky

the intestinal system includes the small and large intestines.

viral infections

hemorrhagic enteritis

clinical signs of hemorrhagic enteritis, a disease affecting turkeys, including the following:

    • unthriftiness
    • blood droppings
    • death

bacterial infections

salmonella

clinical signs of colibacillosis include the following:

    • unthriftiness
    • diarrhea
    • respiratory signs
    • lameness

ulcerative or necrotic enteritis

clinical signs of ulcerative or necrotic enteritis include the following:

    • unthriftiness
    • diarrhea
    • weight loss
    • death
    • additional bacterial infections

other bacterial infections that can affect the intestinal system can include the following:

parasites

coccidia

coccidia are internal parasites. clinical signs of coccidiosis include the following:

    • bloody droppings
    • diarrhea
    • weight loss
    • unthriftiness
    • ruffled feathers
    • chills
    • huddling behavior
    • increased likelihood of death

use of anticoccidial medications and vaccines in poultry production

worms

worms are internal parasites. clinical signs of worm infestation include the following:

    • unthriftiness
    • gasping (a symptom of gapeworms)

blackhead

blackhead is caused by infestation with internal parasites. clinical signs or blackhead include the following:

    • ruffled feathers
    • huddling behaviors
    • yellow droppings
    • death

back to common poultry diseases menu