I am in need of first hand experience information. I have had a few sick looking doves land in my yard a few months back, but nothing happened to my fowl till now. One of my Broodcocks has grown ill. I noticed that he was limping the other day, but when I inspected this foot and leg, there was nothing wrong. One of his toes seems sprained, and it bothers him when bent. Next, I noticed he has Yellowish white soupy droppings. I gave him a shot of Pennicillin, and added some Neomycin in his water and went to work. There I found that Lameness to one or both limbs can occur with Cholera, as well as the yellow runs. He has since stopped dropping liquid, and is dropping green dry droppings. His appetite is down, but he still eats. He doesn't drink large amounts of water either. Could this be Cholera? If not that, then what?
Thank you for the help,
Edwin

[Edward Catahay]

According to The Chicken Health Book, cholera can be acute or chronic. The leg joints are usually swollen and there is nasal discharge (cheesy). Even with medication, a recurrence will take place once medication is discontinued. You need to disinfect the ground, as it is present in the droppings. Sorry about your birds, but if it is really cholera, then they will continue to be carriers for the duration of their lives. Take care.
Ed

[Edward Catahay]

Your fowl could also have the "greens". Give two tetracycline capsules in the morning and evening for seven days. Don't forget to disinfect the ground where the infected fowl were. Use a 50/50 chlorox and water solution.
FIS
Ed

Ed,
Thank you so much for the info. I have already disposed of this cock. This was an especially painful cull, as this Broodcock was a gift from a friend. I am deeply saddened by this loss, but feel that the cull was nessesary to ensure the health of my flock.
I did an autopsy, and found no signs of Cholera (hemorages, enlarged liver etc.) But in any case, my records show that I have treated this particular cock 3 times for the greens, which in itself should be reason enough to cull, as he was very suseptable to the disease. Many will say I was to quick to cull, but I did treat him with anti-biotics for two days, and he had shown little improvement. Yes, I may have been to hastey, but then again, I may have culled just in the nick of time.

[arteez2003]

brother,

I have the same symptom in my johhny jumper kelso hen... i went to the provincial animal section for a possible analysis...to my surprise my lame hen (which was open up) has only a mucos in the nasal cavity... the vets found no discrepancy in the cystic tissue, which could be a sign of a marek disease...can this be cured by mandatory discharged of mucos as exhibited from famous cockfighting magazines?

[orientaldelight]

You can also use
NEOMYCIN 325 mixed with SOLUTRACIN 200 half and half. Put 1/2 TSP per gallon of H20 and using a nozzle of your syringe, put about 4 Oz directly into his throat. He should feel better the next day if you do it soon.

[unico]

The best antibiotic for fowl cholera are the sulfas-specifically sulfaquinoxaline.

Fowl will usually sulk in oine cool corner for the first day developing high fever w/c makes them drink a lot. You will notice their crop is full of water if yoiu give them free access tom it- a ntural rersponse for them to keep their fever doen. Then they will dump very wet green and white droppings. Prior to death most will go to convulsions (violent ones) once they stop they're usually dead by then.

Neck twisting will also occur w/c is confused with NCD.

Sulfaquinoxaline in the water is best due to their tendency to drink. Another potenmt mix is Chloramphenicol-Sulfa injectable but I beleive Chlorampenicol has been banned for animal use.

[victor]

Edwin,
I agree with unico.
I believe the best drug for Fowl Cholera or Coccidiosis is Sulfa Base drug.
You should have used Stuff like Sulmet, etc. Or other Sulfa based products.
Cant imagine tetracycline to be effective with this symptom.
tetra is good usually for respiratory problems.

Best,
Victor

[linoj]

Edwin,

How are you ?

We have experienced in Fowl Cholera as well, we use matured coconut water for fowls affected and it works for us. Sulfa drugs is another option, but we prefer the coconut water in our own experience.

[unico]

Nothing really wrong with coconut water but it really works only as an excellent electrolyte source. A good support or adjunct to antibiotic treatment. Just like pedialyte.In fact this could be given during vaccination time or any stress period in place of commercial electrolytes.

Fowl cholera is a potentially deadly and highly transmissible disease w/c should be dealt with using medication.The one caution you must keep is not to overdo sulfa treatment since it forms crystals in the kidney.

Use for two-3 days. Skip one day with just plain water or coco water and use another 2 to three days.

[fring]

Fowl Cholera
This disease occurs throughout the country wherever poultry is produced and in recent years has become the most hazardous infectious disease of turkeys. Host range is extensive and includes chickens, turkeys, pheasants, pigeons, waterfowl, sparrows and other free-flying birds.
The causative organism of fowl cholera is Pasteurella multocida. The organism can survive at least one month in droppings, three months in decaying carcasses and two to three months in soil. Pasteurella apparently enters tissues of the mouth and upper respiratory tract. The disease is not transmitted through the egg.

Major sources of infection include:


Body excreta of diseased birds that contaminate soil, water, feed, etc.,
Carcasses of birds that have died of the disease,
Contaminated water supplies such as surface tanks, ponds, lakes and streams,
Mechanical transmission by contaminated shoes or equipment.
Studies indicate that animals other than birds may serve as reservoirs of infection and actively spread the disease. These animals include raccoons, opossums, dogs, cats, pigs, and vermin.
The disease is seldom seen in chickens under four months of age, but is commonly seen in turkeys under this age. In the peracute form, symptoms may be absent; in the acute form some birds may die without showing symptoms, but many others are visibly ill before death. Characteristic symptoms include stupor, loss of appetite, rapid weight loss, lameness resulting from joint infection, swollen wattles, difficult breathing, watery yellowish or green diarrhea and cyanosis or darkening of the head and wattles.

Lesions may be lacking in birds dying during peracute outbreaks. When present, lesions may resemble those associated with any acute septicemic bacterial infection, often those of fowl typhoid. Typical lesions may include pinpoint hemorrhages in the mucous and serous membranes and/or abdominal fat; inflammation of the upper third of the small intestine; light, firm "parboiled" appearance of the liver; enlarged and congested spleen; creamy or solid collection of material in joints; and cheesy material in the internal ear and air spaces of the cranium of birds having twisted necks. Turkeys may have pneumonia with solidification of one or both lungs.

A tentative diagnosis may be made on flock history, symptoms and postmortem lesions. A definite diagnosis depends upon isolation and identification of the organism.

Properly administered bacterins are helpful in preventing fowl cholera, particularly in turkeys. Their use must be combined with a rigid program of sanitation. In general, as it applies to the use of bacterins in turkeys, complete protection is unrealistic. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for use of the bacterin. Vaccination in conjunction with treatment is not recommended.

Sanitation practices that aid in preventing the disease are:


Complete depopulation each year with definite breaks between older birds and their replacements,
Implement a rodent control program,
Dispose of dead birds properly,
Provide safe, sanitary water,
Clean and disinfect all houses and equipment after disposing of flock,
Keep birds confined to the house and away from wild feral birds and animals,
Allow contaminated ranges or yards to remain vacant for at least three months.

Although drugs usually alter the course of a fowl cholera outbreak, affected birds remain carriers and the disease has a tendency to recur when treatment is discontinued. This may necessitate prolonged treatment with drugs added to the feed and water. Sulfa drugs and broad spectrum antibiotics (Penicillin) usually control losses.