Introduction

A complex condition of chickens associated with drug toxicities, mycotoxins and viral infections and usually following a course of approximately 3 weeks. Morbidity varies, mortality is 5-50%.

Signs

• Dejection.
• Loss of appetite.
• Poor growth.
• Pale comb and wattles.
• Blood in droppings.

Post-mortem lesions

• Haemorrhages in one or more sites: skin, muscles, liver, heart, serosa and mucosae.
• Liver yellow.
• Carcase anaemia.
• Bone marrow pale with fatty change.

Diagnosis

History, signs, lesions.

Treatment

Vitamin K, remove sulphonamides, add liver solubles to feed.

Prevention

Avoid causative factors.