Written by: Dr. Jacquie Jacob, University of Kentucky
The intestinal system includes the small and large intestines.
VIRAL INFECTIONS
Hemorrhagic Enteritis
Clinical signs of Hemorrhagic Enteritis, a disease affecting turkeys, including the following:
-
- Unthriftiness
- Blood droppings
- Death
BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
Salmonella
Clinical signs of Colibacillosis include the following:
-
- Unthriftiness
- Diarrhea
- Respiratory signs
- Lameness
Ulcerative or Necrotic Enteritis
Clinical signs of Ulcerative or Necrotic Enteritis include the following:
-
- Unthriftiness
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Death
- Additional bacterial infections
Other bacterial infections that can affect the intestinal system can include the following:
PARASITES
Coccidia
Coccidia are internal parasites. Clinical signs of coccidiosis include the following:
-
- Bloody droppings
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Unthriftiness
- Ruffled feathers
- Chills
- Huddling behavior
- Increased likelihood of death
Use of anticoccidial medications and vaccines in poultry production
Worms
Worms are internal parasites. Clinical signs of worm infestation include the following:
-
- Unthriftiness
- Gasping (a symptom of gapeworms)
Blackhead
Blackhead is caused by infestation with internal parasites. Clinical signs or blackhead include the following:
-
- Ruffled feathers
- Huddling behaviors
- Yellow droppings
- Death