Vitamin K deficiency occurs worldwide in poultry of all ages. It is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin K in the diet. High levels of sulphaquinoxaline may increase the incidence and severity of the condition.
- Causes of Vitamin K deficiency >
- Effects of Vitamin K deficiency >
- Diagnosis of Vitamin K deficiency >
- Treatment & Control of Vitamin K deficiency >
Causes of Vitamin K deficiency
Vitamin K is required for the synthesis of prothrombin. Deficiency in the diet can result in blood clotting difficulties. High levels of sulfaquinoxaline may increase the incidence and severity of the condition.
Effects of Vitamin K deficiency
Show 2-3 weeks after the deficiency occurs. Haemorrhaging and anaemia in young birds may be seen. It can cause increased embryonic mortality in breeders and dead embryos can be haemorrhagic.
Postmortem lesions
Lesions include haemorrhages on the breast, legs, wings and/or in the abdominal cavity and a hypoplastic bone marrow.
Diagnosis of Vitamin K deficiency
Signs, lesions and determination of the prothrombin time are useful.
Treatment & Control of Vitamin K deficiency
Correct the deficiency by restoring adequate vitamin K levels to the diet.
