Heat Stress Heat is produced by essential bodily processes (metabolism) which include maintenance, growth and egg production. Heat production is affected by body weight, species and breed, level of production, level of feed intake, feed quality and, to a lesser extent, by the amount of activity and exercise. If the stocking density is too high…
Coryza Infections Coryza is usually acute and sometimes chronic, highly infectious disease of chickens, occasionally pheasants and guinea-fowl. Infectious Coryza is characterised by catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, especially nasal and sinus mucosae. Infectious Coryza is caused by the bacterium Haemophilus paragallinarum and is seen in many countries especially in multi-age farms that are never…
Coli Septicemia Coli septicemia is characterized by invasion of the blood stream by coliform bacteria and is primarily observed in neonates and immune-compromised animals. Affected animals show pronounced signs of systemic disease and tend to deteriorate rapidly. A presumptive diagnosis is made based on clinical signs in combination with hematologic and blood biochemical results. Blood…
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…
