Rumen Health Two things are vital to good rumen function: a healthy microbial population and a suitable pH (ideally above 6.5). Without these, the rumen becomes less and less efficient at digestion of feed. This leaves cows susceptible to health complications such as acidosis and laminitis. The rumen plays an essential role in a cow’s…
Antimicrobials – Cattle For almost century, antimicrobials have played a vital role in treating bacterial infections in humans and animals and, in doing so, have saved many lives. While there are many different groups of antimicrobials available to use e.g. penicillin, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, etc. the ability of bacteria to develop resistance to them is a…
Bloat Control Bloat is an overdistention of the rumenoreticulum with the gases of fermentation, either in the form of a persistent foam mixed with the ruminal contents, called primary or frothy bloat, or in the form of free gas separated from the ingesta, called secondary or free-gas bloat. It is predominantly a disorder of cattle…
Antimicrobials For almost century, antimicrobials have played a vital role in treating bacterial infections in humans and animals and, in doing so, have saved many lives. While there are many different groups of antimicrobials available to use e.g. penicillin, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, etc. the ability of bacteria to develop resistance to them is a very relevant…
Intestinal Health Intestinal health is an intricate and complex area combining nutrition, gut microbiota, immunology, and physiology. When intestinal health is compromised for whatever reason, digestion and nutrient absorption are affected which, in turn, can have a detrimental effect on feed intake and conversion leading to economic loss and a greater susceptibility to diseases. In…
Coccidiosis Control Coccidiosis is one of the most important diseases in poultry today, leading to significant financial losses if not properly controlled. Coccidiosis is a disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria, developing within the intestine of most domestic and wild animals and birds. In chicken there are seven different species, each species…
Salmonella Salmonella enterica is a facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen of worldwide importance. It is the most common zoonotic foodborne pathogen causing gastroenteritis in humans with an estimated 93 million cases of this foodborne disease reported globally per year. Most infections are due to ingestion of food contaminated by animal faeces, or by human faeces in…
Newcastle Disease Newcastle disease is highly contagious viral disease of chickens, turkeys, and most other birds. The most severe form of the disease is characterized in chickens by high mortality, nervous signs and haemorrhagic and necrotic lesions in the gut mucosa. The severity of the symptoms depends on the virulence of the infecting virus and…
Gumboro Disease Infectious bursal disease, or Gumboro disease (IBD), is seen in young domestic chickens worldwide and is caused by infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). The target organ for the virus is the Bursa of Fabricius where the virus replicates in the B lymphocytes, thereby destroying them. The degree of destruction can vary depending on…
Infectious Bronchitis Infectious bronchitis is an acute, highly contagious upper respiratory tract disease in chickens. In addition to respiratory signs, decreased egg production and egg quality are common, and nephritis can be caused by some strains. Attenuated live and killed vaccines are available, but different antigenic types of the avian coronavirus causing the disease do…
