A presentation on Principles of diagnosis of
Poultry Disease
Course Title: VM- 603
Course Code: General Avian Medicine
Submitted to Submitted by
Dr. M. Ariful Islam Partho Sarker ; ID No : 23110828
Professor Angan Samadder ; ID No : 23110830
Dr. Mst. Sonia Parvin MS fellows
Associate professor Department of Medicine
Department of Medicine Bangladesh Agricultural University
Bangladesh Agricultural University
Content
Definition
Methods of diagnosis of poultry disease
Factors of diagnosis of poultry disease
Definition
The diagnosis of poultry diseases means identifying and determining the
nature of illnesses affecting poultry, such as chickens, ducks, turkeys, and
geese through a combination of clinical examination, laboratory tests, and
observation of clinical symptoms.
Methods of diagnosis of poultry disease
There are four methods are commonly used. They are :
History of disease management
External examination
Internal Examination
Laboratory Methods
History of Disease management
It commonly includes
Species, Breed, Strain of birds
Body weight of birds
Age of birds
Number of sick birds and healthy birds in the flock
Hatchery or flock origin
Hatching Date
Vaccination History
Nutritional History
Weight for age at various stages of growth
Information about morbidity and mortality rate
History of Disease management
Some common questions which should be asked during history taking are:
What age groups are affected (chicks, growers, adults) ?
When did the chickens become sick ?
What are the clinical sign ?
What is the duration of illness ?
Do birds in the neighboring flocks show the same signs ?
Did any new chickens were added to the existing flocks ?
Have the birds been vaccinated? When ? What vaccine was uses?
How often the fresh water and feed are provided?
External examination of live birds
Recognizing a healthy bird Recognizing a sick bird
External examination of live birds
Recognizing a healthy bird
• Be active and alert
• Be normal size according to strain and age
• Have no illness or paralysis
• Have no swellings
• Have no discharges
• Have no deformities
• Generally have good plumage
Fig: Healthy Birds
External examination of live birds
Recognizing a Sick bird
• Isolation- sick birds usually seek a quiet place out of the way of others
• Hunched stance present
• Anorexia may present
• Sneezing , coughing , nasal discharge may present
• Injury or pain present
• Diarrhea may present
• Drop in egg production
• Swelling of the joints
• Loss of body weight
Fig: Sick birds
Internal examination (Necropsy)
Necropsy may be defined as the systemic examination of an
animal or bird carcass aimed to search for lesions
It Includes
•Opening the Body : Opening the body by a sharp incision following a
systematic way
•Organ Inspection: Inspection of internal organs grossly and microspically
•Sample Collection : Sample are collected for further investigation
•Recording Findings : Detailed notes and photographs are taken to document
the findings
•Interpretation and Diagnosis : The findings are analyzed to determine the
cause of death or illness or disease
•Reporting: A comprehensive report summarizing the examination findings and
diagnosis is prepared and delivered to respected authority .
Fig: Necropsy examination
Laboratory Examination
Laboratory examination in poultry disease diagnosis means a series of tests
and analyses conducted in a laboratory setting to identify and confirm the
presence of diseases in poultry.
It includes
Microscopic Examination: Microscopic Examination to observe bacteria,
virus, fungus etc.
Molecular Techniques: PCR, Rt-PCR
Serological Tests: Elisa. HI, AGID etc.
Biochemical Tests: sugar fermentation tests, enzyme assays etc.
Histopathology Tests: examination of tissue samples under a microscope to
detect abnormalities or lesions associated with diseases.
Fig: Laboratory Examination
Important Factors to Diagnosis Poultry Disease
There are three important factors to diagnosis poultry Disease
Knowledge of disease symptoms and lesions
Identification of Vital organs and body structure
A systematic plan for examining the bird’s body
Knowledge of disease symptoms and lesions
A profound understanding of disease symptoms and lesions serves as
the cornerstone for effective diagnosis. Recognizing symptoms such as
respiratory distress, decreased feed intake, or abnormal behavior
provides crucial insights into the underlying pathogens. Moreover,
adeptness in discerning lesions, whether evident in the respiratory
tract, digestive system, or integumentary system, offers invaluable
diagnostic clues
Identification of Vital organs and body structure
Vital organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys are essential for
maintaining the bird's health and overall function. By closely examining
these organs during necropsy, veterinarians can pinpoint abnormalities
indicative of specific diseases Additionally, assessing body structures
like the gastrointestinal tract, reproductive organs, and skeletal system
provides valuable insights into the overall health or any types of injury
A systematic plan for examining the bird’s body
By methodically assessing various aspects of the bird's anatomy,
including its external appearance, and internal organs, veterinarians
and poultry professionals can indicate specific symptoms and any
abnormalities. In essence, a systematic plan for examining the bird's
body serves as a cornerstone in the comprehensive management of
poultry health, ensuring optimal welfare and productivity.
References
• Avian Medicine by Professor Dr. M.A Samad
• Google search
• Group discussion
• Undergraduate knowledge
