Fowl Cholera Causes and Symptoms

Study Notes

Fowl cholera is a highly infectious and often fatal disease caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida.
The bacterium is commonly found in the environment and can be transmitted through:
- Contaminated water and food
- Direct contact with infected birds or carriers
- Indirect contact with contaminated feces, soil, or equipment
Stress, poor sanitation, and overcrowding can increase susceptibility to infection.

Acute form:
- Sudden death with no prior signs of illness
- High mortality rate
Subacute form:
- Depression, lethargy, and anorexia
- Ruffled feathers, pale comb, and wattle
- Diarrhea, sometimes bloody
- Labored breathing and coughing
- Swelling of the eyes, face, and legs
Chronic form:
- Weight loss, emaciation
- Chronic respiratory problems
- Poor egg production

Antibiotics: effective against P. multocida, but must be administered early in the course of the disease
Supportive care: fluids, oxygen therapy, and management of secondary infections
Vaccination: available, but not always effective; often used in combination with antibiotics

Pasteurella multocida: a gram-negative, non-motile, facultative anaerobe
Can survive for weeks outside the host, making environmental contamination a significant risk factor

Good sanitation and hygiene practices:
- Clean and disinfect food and water containers, as well as equipment
- Remove manure and debris regularly
- Implement proper waste disposal
Vaccination and antibiotic treatment: as part of a comprehensive flock health program
Quarantine and testing: for newly introduced birds to prevent introduction of the disease
Biosecurity measures: limit movement of people, vehicles, and equipment between farms or areas to reduce the risk of transmission

Fowl cholera is caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida, which is commonly found in the environment.
The bacterium can be transmitted through:
- Contaminated water and food
- Direct contact with infected birds or carriers
- Indirect contact with contaminated feces, soil, or equipment
Stress, poor sanitation, and overcrowding can increase susceptibility to infection.

Acute form:
- Sudden death with no prior signs of illness
- High mortality rate
Subacute form:
- Depression, lethargy, and anorexia
- Ruffled feathers, pale comb, and wattle
- Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
- Labored breathing and coughing
- Swelling of the eyes, face, and legs
Chronic form:
- Weight loss, emaciation
- Chronic respiratory problems
- Poor egg production

Antibiotics are effective against P. multocida, but must be administered early in the course of the disease.
Supportive care includes:
- Fluids
- Oxygen therapy
- Management of secondary infections
Vaccination is available, but not always effective; often used in combination with antibiotics.

Pasteurella multocida is a gram-negative, non-motile, facultative anaerobe.
It can survive for weeks outside the host, making environmental contamination a significant risk factor.

Good sanitation and hygiene practices:
- Clean and disinfect food and water containers, as well as equipment
- Remove manure and debris regularly
- Implement proper waste disposal
Vaccination and antibiotic treatment as part of a comprehensive flock health program.
Quarantine and testing for newly introduced birds to prevent introduction of the disease.
Biosecurity measures:
- Limit movement of people, vehicles, and equipment between farms or areas to reduce the risk of transmission.