Vet and your birds

23/09/2024

.Black head disease or black gill

, also known as black spot disease or black death, is a disease affecting various species of marine animals, including shellfish and crustaceans, across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The disease is characterized by the visibly noticeable black melanated gills, speculated to be caused by a fungus called Fusarium solani or a similarly shaped ciliate. Human consumption of fish affected by black gill disease is harmless


- Blackening of the head and gills
- White or pale patches on the body
- Peeling or sloughing of the skin
- Mortality

Possible causes:

- Poor water quality
- Low oxygen levels
- High ammonia or nitrite levels
- Bacterial or fungal infections
- Parasites
- Nutritional deficiencies

To address the issue, I would suggest the following:

1. Water quality check: Ensure proper water circulation, aeration, and filtration.
2. Water changes: Perform regular water changes (20-30% every week) to maintain optimal water quality.
3. Monitor water parameters: Regularly test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.
4. Improve oxygen levels: Increase aeration and water circulation to ensure sufficient oxygen.
5. Treat for infections: Use appropriate antibiotics or antifungals under the guidance of a veterinarian or aquaculture expert.
6. Nutritional support: Ensure a balanced diet and consider adding supplements if necessary.
7. Quarantine and treatment: Isolate affected fish and provide appropriate treatment.

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20/09/2024

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Lamine Faye, Ahmed Mukhtiar, Narayan Shrestha, DrJaved Panhwer, Basiljohn Sebial, Sonia Vicente Balaogan, Bn Ibn Muh'd-Ballo, Muhammad Fahim, A Khaliq, Justin Dale Loreto Beldua, Opeyemi Ajadi, Abdulrahaman Fasasi Adegoke, Joe Wanyeki, Noor Hassan Dawar, Malebo Legodi, Qal Fiker, Tayyab Malick Malick, Prîñçë Ñôsh, Abdul Majeed Nasar, Usman Adamu IG, Wabii Simboo, Amani Nader

19/09/2024

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my weekly engagement list! 🎉 Skylight Kibet Rono, Mukesh Kumar Joshi, Chala Chalish Ka, Muhd Hussein Sa'eed, Isah Nuraddeen

19/09/2024

Infectious bronchitis is a highly contagious, acute infection of chickens characterized by nasal discharge, coughing, and rales. In layers, it causes a marked reduction in egg production and quality.
Infectious bronchitis is caused by an avian coronavirus, an enveloped single-stranded RNA virus with characteristic spike-like projections on the surface of its envelope. Variation in the viral spike protein gives rise to multiple strains of the virus, which may vary regionally. The virus transmits rapidly through the flock, causing respiratory distress. Mortality is usually low in uncomplicated infections;

CLINICAL SIGNS

Conjunctivitis and nasal discharge are commonly observed. After a few days post-infection, most of the flock will show coughing and respiratory distress due to increased mucus in the trachea. In uncomplicated cases, clinical signs subside after one week. However, coinfection with opportunistic bacteria can complicate the disease.
Infected chicks can appear listless and huddle together for warmth. Feed consumption and weight gain are decreased. Infection with nephropathogenic strains can lead initially to respiratory signs, then later to lethargy, ruffled feathers, wet droppings, polydipsia, and death
In layers, a significant drop in egg production is often observed, and there may be an increase in the production of thin, wrinkled egg shells for several weeks.
And also layers with infectious bronchitis, egg production can drop by up to 70%, and eggs are often misshapen, with thin, soft, , rough, and/or pale shells. Eggs can also be smaller and have watery albumen.
TRANSMISSIONS
The virus is transmitted to the upper respiratory tract by either direct bird-to-bird contact or exposure to fomites. Once an animal is infected, viral replication occurs in the respiratory tract and digestive tract.
The virus is not transmitted through the egg. Clinical signs can be observed after a short incubation period (~24-48 hrs). Infected birds shed virus in their respiratory secretions and droppings.

PREVENTION
Vaccines are available commercially. The vaccine must be of the same serotype as the field strain to generate protective immunity. In general, live vaccines are used in young animals either by spray or drinking water applications.

Because many backyard flocks are unvaccinated, biosecurity plays a fundamental role in the prevention of infectious bronchitis. Stringent biosecurity practices, covering all aspects of the operation, are needed to keep flocks healthy. Before the arrival of new birds, the poultry house and equipment must be disinfected.

TREATMENT AND CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS n BRONCHITIS IN CHICKEN
Antimicrobials for secondary infections

Supportive care (eg, adjusting ambient temperature, decreasing protein content in feed, adding electrolytes to water)

Attenuated live or killed (inactivated) vaccines

No medication alters the course of IBV infection; however, antimicrobial treatment can lower the mortality rate exacerbated by complicating bacterial infections. In cold weather, increasing the ambient temperature also can decrease the mortality rate. In addition, decreasing the protein concentrations in feed and providing electrolytes in drinking water can assist in outbreaks that are due to nephropathogenic strains.

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16/09/2024

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my weekly engagement list! 🎉 Skylight Kibet Rono, Mukesh Kumar Joshi, Chala Chalish Ka

15/09/2024

15/09/2024

Heartwater is an infectious, noncontagious, tickborne rickettsial disease of ruminants. It occurs only in areas infested by ticks of the genus Amblyomma, including regions of sub-Saharan countries and the islands of Madagascar and Réunion, as well as the Caribbean, where it has been formally detected in Guadeloupe and Antigua. In the Caribbean, heartwater is transmitted by Amblyomma variegatum, and possible transmission to the mainland threatens the production animal industry of regions from northern South America to Central America and the southern US.

In endemic areas of southern Africa, the mortality rate due to heartwater can be as much as 90% in susceptible ruminants.

All domestic ruminants (cattle, sheep, and goats) and wild ruminants (deer, springbok, giraffes) are susceptible to heartwater, and European species (Bos ta**us) are generally more susceptible than indigenous African breeds (Bos indicus). Wild animals seem susceptible to infection and play a reservoir role in the disease

CLINICAL SIGN

The clinical signs of heartwater are dramatic in the peracute and acute forms. In peracute cases, animals can die within a few hours after developing a fever, and sometimes animals die without any apparent clinical signs. Some affected animals display exaggerated respiratory distress or paroxysmal seizures. In the acute form, animals often show anorexia and listlessness, along with congested and friable mucous membranes.

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

Antimicrobials

Vaccination

Tick control

Heartwater can be treated with antimicrobials; however, they are effective only if administered at the onset of clinical signs. It is sometimes suggested to treat the entire herd if clinical cases occur in several animals.

Oxytetracycline (10–20 mg/kg, IV slowly or IM, every 24 hours for a minimum of 3 days or until fever abates) is usually curative if administered early in the course of heartwater infection. The higher dosage of oxytetracycline (20 mg/kg, IV slowly) can be successful if initiated late during the febrile reaction or when clinical signs are evident.

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11/09/2024

COLIBACILLOSIS (E. coli)

Colibacillosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli (also known simply as E. coli), and is seen in poultry flocks worldwide. E. coli can cause an infection under the skin, known as cellulitis, and is commonly associated with respiratory disease in birds, which in severe cases leads to septicaemia and death. Avian colibacillosis primarily affects broiler chickens between the ages of 4 and 6 weeks and is responsible for a significant proportion of the mortality found in poultry flocks. This mortality, treatment of the disease and decreased feed conversion efficiency result in significant costs to the poultry industry.

CLINICAL SIGNS
colibacillosis are nonspecific and vary with age, organs involved, and concurrent disease.

Young birds dying of acute septicemia may have few lesions on necropsy except for an enlarged, hyperemic liver and spleen with increased fluid in body cavities. Birds that survive septicemia can develop subacute fibrinopurulent airsacculitis, pericarditis, perihepatitis, and lymphocytic depletion of the bursa and thymus (see airsacculitis and perihepatitis images). Unusually pathogenic salmonellae produce similar lesions in chicks.
Symptoms. Signs of colibacillosis are respiratory distress, reduced appetite and poor growth. Lesions seen at post mortem are airsacculitis, pericarditis, perihepatitis and peritonitis, whitish diarrhoea

TREATMENT AND CONTROL
Good management practices

Antimicrobials contraindicated

Prevention of colibacillosis relies on good management to decrease exposure of birds to APEC and lessen the impact of stress and predisposing infections on the susceptibility of birds to APEC infection. Best management practices include the following:

sanitation of water lines and closed water systems

adequate ventilation to decrease ammonia and dust buildup

moisture control of litter

pest control (rodents, flies, beetles, etc)

In addition, experimental and commercial vaccines of various types have been used to prevent colibacillosis, to mixed effect. Often the vaccines may protect against specific serogroups; however, cross-protection against different serogroups of E coli is not always possible due to the diversity of APEC isolates causing disease.

Treatment of colibacillosis with antimicrobial agents is problematic due to widespread multidrug resistance among APEC isolates and restrictions on antimicrobial use in poultry imposed by regulation and public concern. If treatment is pursued, it should be based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Most isolates are resistant to tetracyclines, streptomycin, and sulfa drugs, although success can sometimes be achieved with tetracycline. However, the vast majority of clinical isolates are resistant to tetracycline, with most APEC isolates resistant to five or more antimicrobials. Extra-label use of fluoroquinolone in poultry is now banned in many countries, including the US.

Mostly Drugs of choice

Antimicrobials commonly used to treat enteric colibacillosis must be chosen for their ability to achieve therapeutic concentrations in the intestinal content. The most frequently used are enrofloxacin, apramycin, ceftiofur, neomycin, gentamicin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, trimethoprim/sulphonamide and colistin

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10/09/2024

POLYMELIA

Other Names: Four-legged Chicken Polymelia is a genetic birth defect and type of congenital malformation of the limbs that can sometimes occur in chickens, and is defined as the growth of additional limb(s) attached to various body regions. The additional limb or limbs are often shrunken in size and/or deformed. The exact cause of this congenital anomaly is unknown, however it is thought to be associated with genetic factors involving transgenes, chromosomes, and/or possible exposure to environmental toxins.

CLINICAL SIGN
Chicks has extra legs or limbs

DIAGNOSIS

History, Clinical signs, Physical exam and Radiography

TREATMENT

NAME SUMMARY No treatment necessary Most of the time, these birds can live normal healthy lives without negative implications resulting from the defect. Surgery When performed by a veterinarian, amputation of the extra limbs has been shown to be successful.

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09/09/2024

Fowl pox

27/07/2024

Full blown coccidiosis
Use any of the following...
Amprolium
Amprococ
Adacoc
Intracox
Kepcox
Sulpha mix
Center dicox
E.t.c
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Vet and your birds

28/05/2024

Don't allow others people behavior to disturb your inner peace

28/04/2024

Case of bloat
What did you think...
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26/04/2024

CANINE DISTEMPER
Canine distemper is a highly contagious virus caused by the paramyxovirus. It is seen in dogs, cats around the world, but it can also affect ferrets, racoons, skunks, grey foxes, and many other animals.

SYMPTOMS OF CANINE DISTEMPER

Canine distemper affects the gastrointestinal, respiratory, skin, immune, and central nervous systems. Symptoms can take up to 14 days to show up after exposure.

Healthy Dogs Guide
Canine Distemper
Medically Reviewed by Vanesa Farmer, DVM on September 05, 2023 Written by WebMD Editorial Contributor
3 min read
Canine distemper is a highly contagious virus caused by the paramyxovirus. It is seen in dogs around the world, but it can also affect ferrets, racoons, skunks, grey foxes, and many other animals.

Symptoms of Canine Distemper
Canine distemper affects the gastrointestinal, respiratory, skin, immune, and central nervous systems. Symptoms can take up to 14 days to show up after exposure.

Signs and symptoms of canine distemper include:

Fever
Nasal discharge
Eye discharge
Lethargy
Sneezing
Coughing
Difficulty breathing
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Thickening of nose and foot pads
Pneumonia
Skin sores
Pain
Canine distemper may also cause brain inflammation and neurological symptoms, which is often confused with rabies. Neurological symptoms of canine distemper include:

Muscle twitching
Chewing-gum fits
Excessive saliva
Head tilt
Circling
Involuntary eye movements
Paralysis or partial paralysis
Seizures
At first, you may not notice symptoms of canine distemper, and it can be mistaken for other viruses and infections.

CAUSES OF CANINE DISTEMPER
Canine distemper is caused by the paramyxovirus virus. Animals get infected from contact with infected urine, blood, saliva, or respiratory droplets. Of these, transmission usually happens through droplets. It can be spread through coughing and sneezing or contaminated food and water bowls.

Canine distemper can occur year round, but the virus is resistant to cold. The majority of cases in domestic dogs occur in the late fall and winter.

Healthy Dogs Guide
Canine Distemper
Medically Reviewed by Vanesa Farmer, DVM on September 05, 2023 Written by WebMD Editorial Contributor
3 min read
Canine distemper is a highly contagious virus caused by the paramyxovirus. It is seen in dogs around the world, but it can also affect ferrets, racoons, skunks, grey foxes, and many other animals.

Symptoms of Canine Distemper
Canine distemper affects the gastrointestinal, respiratory, skin, immune, and central nervous systems. Symptoms can take up to 14 days to show up after exposure.

Signs and symptoms of canine distemper include:

Fever
Nasal discharge
Eye discharge
Lethargy
Sneezing
Coughing
Difficulty breathing
Vomiting
Diarrhea
FEATURED
Separation Anxiety in Dogs
OTC Meds That Are Safe for Dogs (and How Much to Give)
What Is Kennel Cough?

Loss of appetite
Thickening of nose and foot pads
Pneumonia
Skin sores
Pain
Canine distemper may also cause brain inflammation and neurological symptoms, which is often confused with rabies. Neurological symptoms of canine distemper include:

Muscle twitching

Chewing-gum fits
Excessive saliva
Head tilt
Circling
Involuntary eye movements
Paralysis or partial paralysis
Seizures
At first, you may not notice symptoms of canine distemper, and it can be mistaken for other viruses and infections. Your dog can get a mild or severe case and may have symptoms that only last 10 days. However, neurological symptoms may be delayed and show up months after infection.

Causes of Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is caused by the paramyxovirus virus. Animals get infected from contact with infected urine, blood, saliva, or respiratory droplets. Of these, transmission usually happens through droplets. It can be spread through coughing and sneezing or contaminated food and water bowls.

Canine distemper can occur year round, but the virus is resistant to cold. The majority of cases in domestic dogs occur in the late fall and winter.

TREATMENT FOR CANINE DISTEMPER

There is no cure for canine distemper, but your vet can recommend supportive care and symptom treatment.

Some treatments for canine distemper may include:

Broad-spectrum antibiotics
Pain relievers
Seizure medications
Electrolytes
IV nutrition
Fever reducers
Hospitalization
It’s important to visit your vet right away if you suspect your dog is sick. Immediate and aggressive treatment may help your dog recover completely, but sometimes neurological symptoms persist in some animals.

Healthy Dogs Guide
Canine Distemper
Medically Reviewed by Vanesa Farmer, DVM on September 05, 2023 Written by WebMD Editorial Contributor
3 min read
Canine distemper is a highly contagious virus caused by the paramyxovirus. It is seen in dogs around the world, but it can also affect ferrets, racoons, skunks, grey foxes, and many other animals.

Symptoms of Canine Distemper
Canine distemper affects the gastrointestinal, respiratory, skin, immune, and central nervous systems. Symptoms can take up to 14 days to show up after exposure.

Signs and symptoms of canine distemper include:

Fever
Nasal discharge
Eye discharge
Lethargy
Sneezing
Coughing
Difficulty breathing
Vomiting
Diarrhea
FEATURED
Separation Anxiety in Dogs
OTC Meds That Are Safe for Dogs (and How Much to Give)
What Is Kennel Cough?
Loss of appetite
Thickening of nose and foot pads
Pneumonia
Skin sores
Pain
Canine distemper may also cause brain inflammation and neurological symptoms, which is often confused with rabies. Neurological symptoms of canine distemper include:

Muscle twitching

Chewing-gum fits
Excessive saliva
Head tilt
Circling
Involuntary eye movements
Paralysis or partial paralysis
Seizures
At first, you may not notice symptoms of canine distemper, and it can be mistaken for other viruses and infections. Your dog can get a mild or severe case and may have symptoms that only last 10 days. However, neurological symptoms may be delayed and show up months after infection.

Causes of Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is caused by the paramyxovirus virus. Animals get infected from contact with infected urine, blood, saliva, or respiratory droplets. Of these, transmission usually happens through droplets. It can be spread through coughing and sneezing or contaminated food and water bowls.

Canine distemper can occur year round, but the virus is resistant to cold. The majority of cases in domestic dogs occur in the late fall and winter.

How Dogs Get Canine Distemper
Your dog can get canine distemper by being around other dogs or wild animals that have the virus. Puppies or older dogs that haven’t been vaccinated are most vulnerable. Dogs in shelters may also be vulnerable since their vaccinations may not be up to date.

When to See the Vet for Canine Distemper
You should visit your vet when your dog shows any signs of canine distemper or you’re concerned about your dog’s health. Canine distemper is highly contagious among animals and requires aggressive medical treatment.

You should also see the vet if:

You don’t know your dog’s vaccination history
Your puppy is six weeks old and ready for a vaccination
Your dog has been exposed to other animals with distemper
Diagnosis for Canine Distemper
Your vet will need to examine your dog to diagnose canine distemper. Sometimes signs of canine distemper don’t always appear right away, and it may look like other diseases or infections.

Your vet may run different tests to rule out conditions like:

Rocky mountain spotted fever
Leptospirosis
Contagious viral hepatitis
Toxin poisoning
Your vet may take throat, nose, or eye swabs, or urine or bone marrow samples. Testing these samples will help look for viral infection. They may also test blood or spinal fluid for antibodies or take biopsies of the footpad to test for viral DNA.

Treatment for Canine Distemper
There is no cure for canine distemper, but your vet can recommend supportive care and symptom treatment.

Some treatments for canine distemper may include:

Broad-spectrum antibiotics
Pain relievers
Seizure medications
Electrolytes

IV nutrition
Fever reducers
Hospitalization
It’s important to visit your vet right away if you suspect your dog is sick. Immediate and aggressive treatment may help your dog recover completely, but sometimes neurological symptoms persist in some animals. In these cases, your vet may prescribe immune system medications, anti-inflammatories, or steroids, but they’re not always successful.

For some dogs, canine distemper can be serious and fatal.

PREVENTING CANINE DISTEMPER

You can prevent canine distemper in puppies and your adult dog through vaccination. Puppies can receive the distemper vaccine at six weeks old and then every three to four weeks until 16 weeks old. Immunity may last for three years or more, but your vet may recommend a specific vaccine schedule based on how common distemper is in your area.

If your dog can’t be vaccinated, avoid other dogs that are sick or that may have the virus. Maintain a healthy diet and exercise program and clean your dog’s living area regularly. While these may not directly prevent distemper, they will help keep your dog healthy.

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25/04/2024

Vaccination schedule for the Ruminate

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25/04/2024

ANTHRAX

Anthrax, a highly infectious and fatal disease of mammals and humans, is caused by a relatively large spore-forming rectangular shaped bacterium called Bacillus anthracis.

Anthrax occurs on all the continents, causes acute mortality in ruminants and is a zoonosis. The bacteria produce extremely potent toxins which are responsible for the ill effects, causing a high mortality rate. While most mammals are susceptible, anthrax is typically a disease of ruminants and humans.

It does not typically spread from animal to animal nor from person to person. The bacteria produce spores on contact with oxygen.

CLINICAL SIGNS

**Sudden death (often within 2 or 3 hours of being apparently normal) is by far the most common sign;

**Very occasionally some animals may show trembling, a high temperature, difficulty breathing, collapse and convulsions before death. This usually occurs over a period of 24 hours;

**After death blood may not clot, resulting in a small amount of bloody discharge from the nose, mouth and other openings/

**Cattle and sheep with anthrax generally die suddenly. Just before death, animals may show signs of high fever. Blood may be present around the nose, mouth and a**s of carcasses. In many cases you may not see this sign, so it should not be relied on to diagnose anthrax.

DIAGNOSIS

°°On the clinical signs described above;

°°Rod-shaped bacteria surrounded by a capsule are visible in blood smears made from surface blood vessels.

°°Post-mortem examinations should not be undertaken on suspected anthrax cases (including any cow that has died suddenly for no apparent reason) until a blood smear has proved negative);

°°If a carcass is opened accidentally, the spleen is usually swollen and there is bloodstained fluid in all body cavities.

TREATMENT

Due to the rapidity of the disease treatment is seldom possible, although high doses of penicillin have been effective in the later stages of some outbreaks.

PREVENTIONS

✓✓Infection is usually acquired through the ingestion of contaminated soil, fodder or compound feed. Anthrax spores in the soil are very resistant and can cause disease when ingested even years after an outbreak. The spores are brought to the surface by wet weather, or by deep tilling, and when ingested or inhaled by ruminants the disease reappears.

✓✓Where an outbreak has occurred, carcases must be disposed of properly, the carcase should not be open (exposure to oxygen will allow the bacteria to form spores) and premises should be quarantined until all susceptible animals are vaccinated.

✓✓Vaccination in endemic areas is very important. Although vaccination will prevent outbreaks veterinary services sometimes fail to vaccinate when the disease has not appeared for several years. But because the spores survive for such lengthy periods, the risk is always present..

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