Avian

Question 1

A dozen young chickens at a broiler-raising facility are found dead on their backs and sides with no premonitory signs. Necropsy of a dead bird shows good body condition and no particular pathology. What is the most likely clinical diagnosis?

A. Ascites syndrome

B. Newcastle

C. Flip-over disease

D. Highly pathogenic avian influenza

E. Dissecting aneurysm

Answer 1

C - flip-over disease

Flip-over disease has unknown cause but it related to high carbohydrate intake.

Lack of gross pathology is common

Cause of death may be due to ventricular fibrillation

Question 2

Which one of the following ectoparasites normally spends its entire life cycle on the chicken, causing feather damage, anemia, and irritation?

A. Neocnemidocoptes gallinae

B. Dermanyssus gallinae

C. Northern fowl mite

D. Trombicula alfreddugesi

E. Red chicken mite

Answer 2

C - Northern fowl mite

(Ornithonyssus sylvarium)

This is the most important parasite of caged layers and breeding chickens in the US. They are nocturnal feeders and usually hide during the day away from the chicken under manure and in crevices of the chicken house where they lay eggs.