Written by: Dr. Jacquie Jacob, University of Kentucky
There are multiple diseases and conditions that can cause lameness in poultry.
VIRAL INFECTIONS
Viral arthritis
Lameness with swollen hocks is one clinical signs of viral arthritis.
Marek’s disease
Marek’s disease affects chickens. Clinical signs of this disease include the following:
- Unilateral paralysis of the wing or leg
- Lameness
- Unthriftiness
- Gray eyes and foot pads
BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
Staphylococcus
Staphylococcus infection is also known as bumblefoot. Clinical signs of this disease include the following:
- Lameness
- Swollen joints and foot pads
Pasteurella
Clinical signs of Pasteurella infection include the following:
- Darkened head
- Swelling of the head and wattles
- Paralysis
- Reduced egg production
- Retarded growth
NUTRITIONAL CONDITIONS
Nutritional deficits can lead to diseases that cause lameness.
Rickets
Clinical signs of rickets include the following:
- Lameness
- Softness of the bones and beak
- Reduced egg production or production of thin-shelled eggs
Cage layer fatigue
Birds with cage layer fatigue are alert but paralyzed and can die from dehydration.
MYCOPLASMAL INFECTIONS
Mycoplasmas are bacteria that lack a cell wall.
Mycoplasma gallisepticum
Clinical signs of infection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum include the following:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Shaking of the head
- Rales
- Gasping
- Discharge from the eyes
- Discharge from the nose
- Swelling of the face and/or wattles
- Retarded growth
- General diarrhea
- Prostration
Mycoplasma synoviae
Clinical signs of infection by Mycoplasma synoviae include the following:
- Sneezing
- Shaking of the head
- Rales
- Discharge from the eyes
- Discharge from the nose
- Swelling of the face and/or wattles
- Retarded growth
- Lameness
- Green, watery diarrhea
- Swollen joints
Mycoplasma meleagridis
Clinical signs for Mycoplasma meleagridis include the following:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Rales
- Retarded growth
- Twisting of the head and neck (torticollis)