Extracted From: A Pocket Guide to Poultry Health and Disease By Paul McMullin © 2004 Click Here to Order Your Copy

Introduction

A spectrum of diseases of chickens and turkeys, occasionally ducklings and other birds, seen worldwide, characterised by oxidation of various tissues and caused by Vitamin E deficiency. The problem is associated with feed rancidity typically in diets with high fat. Encephalomalacia and exudative diathesis tends to be seen in young birds of 1-5 weeks of age. Muscular dystrophy is seen more frequently in older and mature birds.

Signs

• Imbalance.
• Staggering.
• Uncontrolled movements.
• Falling over.
• Paralysis.
• Ventral oedema.
• Green wings.

Post-mortem lesions

• Swollen cerebellum with areas of congestion.
• Haemorrhage.
• Necrosis.
• Blood-stained or greenish subcutaneous oedema.
• Steatitis.
• White streaks in muscle.

Diagnosis

Signs, lesions, feed rancidity, histopathology, response to medication. Differentiate from Encephalomyelitis, toxicities, necrotic dermatitis.

Treatment

Vitamin E and/or selenium in feed and/or water. Broad-spectrum antibiotics where there are extensive skin lesions.

Prevention

Proper levels of vitamin E, selenium, antioxidant, good quality raw materials.