Trichomoniasis
From Poultry Hub
Need a quick disease diagnosis? Call the Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health on +61 3 9731 2275 for cost-effective rapid tests for a range of poultry diseases, including Trichomoniasis.
Trichomoniasis is a parasitic protozoan disease that affects domestic fowl, pigeons, doves, and hawks. It occurs in the digestive tract in two forms. The lower form is characterised by depression, weight loss and watery yellow diarrhoea. The upper form is characterised by depression, drooling and repeated swallowing movements, sunken and empty crop, open-mouth breathing and bad odour. The upper form is rare in turkeys and chickens. Most caged, domestic and game birds (except waterfowl) are susceptible but the disease is more serious in young birds. Recovered birds remain carriers.
Contents |
What causes trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis is caused by infection with the parasitic protozoa Trichomonas gallinae. This protozoa has variable pathogenicity (ability to cause disease). Transmission of the protozoa is by bird to bird contact or by contact with infected litter, feed or water. The protozoa is shed in the faeces of infected birds and can be regurgitated in crop milk.
Treatment and prevention of Trichomoniasis
Drugs have been produced that will control the disease but there may be restrictions on their use in commercial flocks. Prevention requires good biosecurity and management practices to eliminate the sources of infection. Drain water pools on ranges, screen out wild birds, separate young birds from adults as well as susceptible birds from recovered (carrier) birds.
Further information
- Poultry Health Handbook 4th Ed, 1994. L. D. Schwartz, Pennsylvania State University.
See also
- List of avian diseases
- Types of disease
- Disease prevention
- Immune system
- Digestive system
- Rapid tests for poultry diseases
External links
- The Merck Veterinary Manual has a section dedicated to Poultry
- ThePoultrySite.com's Poultry Disease GuideA site dedicated to poultryproduction, bird-health and industry events.
