A Complete Analysis of the Clinical Symptoms and Prevention and Control Techniques of Avian Staphylococcosis in Chickens

1. Clinical symptoms

Avian staphylococcosis in chickens In acute cases, sudden death often occurs without visible symptoms. In cases with a longer course, the main signs are listlessness, ruffled feathers, closed eyes and drowsiness, drooping wings, reduced or no feed intake, and frequent squatting or standing still in one spot. White or green watery droppings are passed. In the later stage, affected chickens often stand unsteadily and fall to the ground unable to rise, generally dying within 2 to 3 days. In the late stage of the outbreak, a small number of affected chickens in the flock also show swelling of the metatarsal and toe joints and lameness; if not treated promptly, they ultimately die from emaciation.

2. Necropsy changes

The characteristic changes are loss of feathers on the skin of the ventral and dorsal sides of the wings and the wing tips, with the subcutaneous tissue appearing dark purple and necrotic, and the skin swollen; in severe cases the skin ruptures and discharges serous exudate that soils the surrounding feathers, with local ulceration and a foul odor. The skin of the chest and abdomen often loses feathers over large areas, and the subcutaneous tissue appears reddish brown. Patchy hemorrhages often appear in the muscles of the chest, abdomen and inner thighs. The liver and spleen are enlarged, and the duodenum and rectum show congestion and hemorrhage. The joints contain inflammatory exudate.

3. Treatment

Gentamicin, 15,000 units per chicken per dose by intramuscular injection, twice a day for 3 consecutive days. In addition to drug treatment, disinfect the chicken house with Baidusha once a day for 3 consecutive days.

4. Summary

Staphylococci are widely present in nature; for example, they can be isolated from the air, drinking water and feces in chicken houses, as well as from the skin, feathers and oral mucosa of healthy chickens. Therefore, the occurrence of this disease is closely related to the rearing environment, nutrition and body condition of the chickens. In particular, 40 to 60 days of age is the age at which this disease occurs most frequently, so rearing management should be strengthened even more.

While treating the disease, the chicken house and equipment must be disinfected to reduce the bacterial load in the environment and relatively reduce the chance of infection in the body, which is of great significance for preventing the occurrence of this disease.

High flock density, abundant rain and high temperatures are triggering causes of outbreaks and epidemics of avian staphylococcosis in chickens.

This disease is mainly transmitted through damaged skin and mucous membranes. Before outbreaks of avian staphylococcosis on chicken farms, severe fowlpox was present in the flocks; therefore, when preventing this disease, attention must also be paid to the prevention and control of fowlpox at the same time.