GAPEWORM Gapeworms (Syngamus trachea) are included under 'respiratory system' since the adult worms reside in the

trachea (or windpipe) and often produce a gurgling or 'tracheal rattle' that can be confused with respiratory problems. Gapeworm is common in pheasants but also affects chickens, guinea fowl and turkeys. Gapeworms can cause considerable losses in pheasants and turkeys. Gasping for breath or 'gaping' as it is known is the biggest sign of gape worm. Shaking of the head and neck stretching are also common. When birds are held, gurgling can often be heard. If a heavy infestation occurs, death by suffocation will occur. Other Names: Gapes, Red worms, forked worms, Y worms. Symptoms: Gasping (gaping), yawning, gurgling / respiratory distress, head shaking, loss of appetite, and eventually coughing and choking Area affected: Trachea (windpipe), bronchi and lungs. Causes: Environment Transmission: Via intermediate hosts such as earthworms or snails and directly by birds picking up eggs that have been coughed up, or passed out into faeces, Diagnosis: Laboratory identification of eggs in faeces, gapeworms found in trachea by postmortem, some / all of the symptoms above. Prevention: A good worming strategy, rotating grazing areas, avoiding contact with ground where wild pheasants have been. Treatment: Flubenvet 1% 60g is licensed for treating gapeworm. For heavy infestations (high epg or 'eggs per gram of faeces' determined by laboratory worm count) usually on heavily used ground or with high stocking density, it is usually necessary to worm again a little before the pre-patent period (the time it takes from

being laid as a worm egg to being a mature worm of egg laying age) to reduce high infection levels. Rotating the pasture really helps to break this cycle. Pre-patent Period: 18 to 20 days Risk to Human Health: None known. INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS Most backyard flocks these days are carrying Mycoplasma. There are many different kinds of Mycoplasma but Mycoplasma Gallisepticum is the most common. It causes respiratory disease and can weaken the birds immune system sufficiently for them to pick up any disease that they come into contact with. Small bubbles in the corners of eyes and swollen sinuses are is usually the first sign of Mycoplasma. Once birds have been infected, they become carriers and remain infectious for life. Some birds seem to have a good resistance to M.G. and out of an infected flock, a few may die, others may become ill and recover and some may not show any symptoms at all. The first time they are ill seems to be the worst and subsequent outbreaks seem to be milder. Bringing new, perfectly healthy younger birds into an established flock of carriers is typically a problem. New birds can be Myco free but with the stress of being moved and not having much resistance to M.G. will become sick after a week or two of arriving and the established flock appears to be healthy. Other Names: M.G, Chronic Respiratory Disease, CRD, Roup (in older poultry books), Stress Disease, Infectious Sinusitis (in Turkeys) Symptoms: In growers: Loss of appetite, slow growth, In Chickens & Turkeys: Ruffled feathers, fluid in eyes (small bubbles in the corners of eyes), coughing, sneezing, 'darth vader' breathing, gurgling / rattling, swollen face, strained crow in cockerels, drop in laying in hens, sometimes loss of appetite, sweet smelling breath. Area affected: Respiratory system (mainly) but can affect the Kidneys. Causes: Mycoplasma Gallisepticum Bacteria.

Transmission: Infection from other carrier birds (from their respiratory discharges), including wild birds. Through hatching eggs. From infected dust / bedding material. Chicken and Turkeys can cross infect one another, other species have their own type of Mycoplasma that cannot cross infect. Mycoplasma is highly contagious and can be carried in on shoes, clothing and feeders / drinkers etc. Mycoplasma can survive for several hours on these things. Diagnosis: Contact with wild birds or other carriers (poultry shows), bringing new birds in that are carriers, stress factors (change of food, house, worming, overcrowding, new birds in the flock, weather - snow covering the ground for example, shortage of food or water, ammonia from soiled bedding). Breathing difficulty, laboratory identification of bacteria in post mortem, identification by blood test. Prevention: Good biosecurity, minimize stress, vaccination is possible but is done via an inhaled mist and equipment to administer is expensive, keep birds immune systems strong with the right diet. Fresh crushed garlic in food or water is great for the immune system and Apple Cider Vinegar. After an infection, disinfect housing and leave for 2 weeks. Mycoplasmas cannot survive for long in the environment. Treatment: Antibiotics from your vet: Tylan, Baytril, or Gallimycin. Tylan 200 injected into the breast muscle is usually the most effective. Treatment needs to be early on for a greater chance of recovery. Risk to Human Health: None known. NEWCASTLE DISEASE Newcastle disease is fairly common around the world. The symptoms can be quite varied. Commercial flocks are vaccinated against Newcastle disease at the same time as they are vaccinated for infective bronchitis. The virus is quite tough, being able to survive in dead birds for many weeks afterwards. Species Affected: All but especially turkeys and chickens.

Other Names: Avian Distemper, Paramyxovirus, Fowl Pest Symptoms: Can be quite varied. In growers: Gasping, coughing and wheezing / chirping. After a couple of weeks, sometimes nervous system problems - twisted neck, droopy wings, dragging legs. In adults: Wheezing, green droppings, soft shelled eggs or drop in egg production and later on, nervous system symptoms twisted neck, droopy wings, dragging legs. Causes: Paramyxovirus. Transmission: By inhaling the virus via respiratory discharges from carriers or ingesting it via excretions e.g. contaminated feed. Diagnosis: Symptoms above and post mortem findings. Prevention: Vaccination (Intervet) if in a high risk area, good biosecurity. Treatment: Isolate infected birds in a warm location, provide them with a good diet and a vitamin supplement in their water. Risk to Human Health: Infection to the eyes / conjunctivits with flu like symptoms. Usually temporary and should clear after a couple of weeks.