Common Diseases of Farm AnimalsCraig, Robert Alexander
Science
Common Diseases of Farm Animals
Craig, Robert Alexander
Veterinary medicine
WORMS OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT OF POULTRY.--Poultry are often seriously
infested with worms. A small number of the less injurious worms may not
cause any appreciable symptoms of disease; but the fowl that harbors them
is a source of infection to the other fowls. The infectious nature of
parasitic disease caused by worms should be recognized more fully than at
present by poultrymen.
The different species of poultry are hosts for many different species of
round-worms, thorn-headed worms and tapeworms. Dr. Kaupp states that
_Acaris inflexa_ or large round-worm, _Heterakis pipilosa_ or small
round-worm, and the _Spiroptera hamulosa_ or gizzard-worm are frequently
found in fowls. The common round-worm may be found in the first portion of
the intestine, and the small round-worm in the caecum. Neither of the
species are dangerous unless present in large numbers. They may then
obstruct the intestine, and irritate the intestinal mucous membrane. This
may cause constipation, catarrhal inflammation of the intestine and
diarrhoea. The gizzard-worm is the most dangerous of the parasites
mentioned. The gizzard has an important digestive function, and any
condition that may weaken its muscular walls may cause serious digestive
disorders. This parasite may encyst in the wall of the gizzard.
_The treatment_ of intestinal worms in poultry is both preventive and
curative. The preventive measures consist in keeping the houses and runs
clean. Air-slaked lime should be scattered over the runs every few weeks.
The drinking places should be cleaned and disinfected daily. All possible
precautions should be taken in order to prevent filth from getting into the
drinking water. Epsom salts, powdered areca nut and santonin are the
remedies commonly recommended for the treatment of intestinal worms. From
twenty to forty grains of Epsom salts may be given. Powdered areca nut is
recommended in from three to ten grain doses. Santonin may be given in from
one to two grain doses. Both the areca nut and santonin may be given with
the feed.
THE GAPES IN BIRDS.--The gape-worm, _Syngamus trachealis_, is from 0.2 to
0.8 inch (5 to 20 mm.) long. The male and female are permanently united.
The male is about one-third as long as the female, and when attached to the
anterior third of the female, gives the pair a forked appearance.
Fowls become infested with the gape-worm by eating the adult parasite that
has been expectorated, or an earth worm that is host for the immature
parasite. The embryo gape-worm is freed in the intestine, and from here
they are supposed to migrate into the abdominal air sacs and to the trachea
and bronchi.
_The symptom_ are most severe in very young fowls. The affected bird opens
its mouth and appears to gasp for breath, sneeze and attempt to swallow. In
the severe cases the appetite is interfered with, mucus accumulates in the
mouth and the bird is dull and listless. The death rate is quite high in
young-chickens and turkeys.
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