Occurrence: Worldwide. Species affected: All. Age affected: 1-8 weeks.

Causes: Unknown, but is probably a metabolic disease due to genetic, environmental and nutritional factors affecting incidence and severity.

Effects: Greatest losses occur from 3-6 weeks of age. Birds squawk during a sudden attack, characterised by a loss of balance, convulsions and violent flapping. Most birds die on their backs with one or both legs extended or raised.

All species of bird of fast growing lines, from 1-8 weeks old are susceptible to this peracute disease. The cause of this disease is unknown, but probably a metabolic disease due to genetic, nutritional and environmental factors affecting the incidence and severity.

Occurs mostly during peak production. Acute death, often during feeding time. The cause probably related to K+ deficiency in feed.

Postmortem reveals haemorrhages on heart muscle, heart dilatation.

The greatest losses in birds occur from 3-6 weeks of age. Birds squawk during a sudden attack characterised by loss of balance, convulsions and violent flapping.

Most birds die on their backs with one or both legs extended or raised.

Birds are in good health and flesh. Livers are enlarged, pale and friable and gall bladder is empty. Kidneys may be pale and lungs are often congested and oedematous. The ventricles of the heart are generally contracted and the thyroid, thymus and spleen congested. There may be haemorrhages in the kidney.

There may be blood in the abdominal cavity.

Clinical signs, gross and microscopic pathology are characteristic. Microscopically there is congestion, oedema and lymphoid oedema in the lungs. Mild degeneration of and infiltration of lymphoid cells in the heart.

It simulates aortic rupture and ascites.

Reduced bird density and slow growth and move slowly and quietly through the house to reduce the disease.

Acclimatise flock to sounds using a radio placed in the house.

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