Ulcerative enteritis occurs worldwide in quail, broilers, chicken pullets, turkeys, between 6-14 weeks of age. It is a gram positive, spore-forming, aerobic, non-motile bacterium- Clostridium colinum.
- Causes of Ulcerative enteritis >
- Effects of Ulcerative enteritis >
- Diagnosis of Ulcerative enteritis >
- Treatment & Control of Ulcerative enteritis >
Causes of Ulcerative enteritis
Young, quail, broilers, chicken pullets and turkeys of 6-14 weeks are susceptible to this acute to chronic disease. The agent involved in the aetiology of this disease is clostridium colinum, which is spore-forming, gram-positive, aerobic and non-motile.
Mode of transmission
Vectors are faeces, soil and litter containing the bacteria.
Special note
It often accompanies coccidiosis in broilers.
Effects of Ulcerative enteritis
High mortality in quail, watery diarrhoea, ruffled feathers, dull, listlessness, increased thirst, emaciation and atrophy of pectoral muscles can occur.
Postmortem lesions
Yellow irregular ulcers on small intestine and caeca, hemorrhagic enteritis are seen. Congested lungs, enlarged haemorrhagic necrotic spleen, light yellow mottling of liver and crop filled with water may occur.
Diagnosis of Ulcerative enteritis
Gross lesions (ulcers on intestine and caeca) and bacterial isolation on tryptose – phosphate agar with yeast extract are a definitive diagnosis. Fluorescent antibody test will detect bacteria in organs.
It simulates coccidiosis, necrotic enteritis and histomoniasis.
Treatment & Control of Ulcerative enteritis
Prevention
Improved sanitation. Adding salt to the soil (500 lbs of salt/house) may kill spores. Raising birds on wire and/or feeding bacitracin at 50-100 g/t will prevent the disease.
Treatment
NF-180 (50-100 g/t), strephomycin (60 g/t) and chlortetracycline, vitamins and minerals in water and/or lincomycin 2 g/t will reduce the signs. Remove dead birds and feed bacitracin (200 g/t)
Note
Bacitracin is not allowed in most countries
