Sulphur (sulphonamide) toxicity occurs worldwide in poultry of all ages, however adults are highly susceptible. It is caused by ingestion of food or water with too high a level of sulphonamide drug. Sulphur drugs are widely used as growth promotants and/or anticoccidials. They are difficult to mix accurately in feed. In summer, birds can accidentally overdose on water-administered sulphonamides due to increased water consumption.
- Causes of Sulphur (sulphonamide) toxicity >
- Effects of Sulphur (sulphonamide) toxicity >
- Diagnosis of Sulphur (sulphonamide) toxicity >
- Treatment & Control of Sulphur (sulphonamide) toxicity >
Causes of Sulphur (sulphonamide) toxicity
All species of bird of all ages are susceptible to this acute to chronic disease. Adults in particular are highly susceptible, resulting in an acute drop in egg production.
Mode of transmission
Ingestion of food or water with too high a level of drug. Sulpha drugs are difficult to mix in feed accurately. Allowance should be made when adding sulphur to the water when temperatures are high. Birds may over consume water and the drug during hot weather.
Special note
It is a drug residue problem. There is a 4-week withdrawal period for broilers. Sulphonamides are widely used a growth promotants and/or anticoccidial or antibacterial compounds which can be added to the feed or water. Tri or ormetroprim compounds are commonly added to potentiate the sulphonamides by increasing their absorption in the blood. Immunosuppression may follow.
Effects of Sulphur (sulphonamide) toxicity
Signs include paleness, depression, weight loss and an acute drop in egg production and shell quality. Secondary bacterial infections may follow due to lymphoid necrosis.
Postmortem lesions
Haemorrhages in the skin (head, comb, face, wattles), muscles and internal organs can be seen.
Haemorrhagic enteritis, haemorrhages in the proventriculus and gizzard, pink to yellow bone marrow and a swollen pale liver may occur. The spleen is enlarge and haemorrhagic and there can be atrophy of the thymus and bursa.
Diagnosis of Sulphur (sulphonamide) toxicity
Sample feed and water for a definitive diagnosis. Clinical signs and lesions are helpful. Microscopically, areas of caseation necrosis surrounded by giant cells in the liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys can be seen.
It simulates Mycotoxicosis, Fowl plague, Fowl cholera and visceral-trophic velogenic Newcastle disease (VVND)
Treatment & Control of Sulphur (sulphonamide) toxicity
Prevention
Quality control of feed and water
Treatment
Fresh feed and water will reverse clinical signs
