Incidence of infectious laryngotracheitis in an Aseel chicken unit: A report

Abstract

A severe (January 2019) incidence of Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT) occurred in 16 weeks old Aseel flock maintained under deep litter system at Melakidaram village of Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, India, during January 2019. The affected flock (1000 Nos) was reported to have a continuous mortality (23%) and increased morbidity, almost 100%. The affected stock was said to be suffered with dullness, inanition, reduction in bodily condition, prostration, dyspnoea with pump handling gasping respiration, conjunctivitis, occasional swelling of the paranasal sinuses and expectoration of blood mixed mucous discharge. Post Mortem examination of the carcass showed poor bodily condition. The lumen of trachea was found to be occluded with thick serofibrinous to caseous exudates mixed with blood. The mucosa of trachea was little oedematous and severely haemorrhagic. The sinuses were intensively hyperaemic and oedematous. Lungs were highly congested and oedematous. Steady recovery of the remaining ailing birds could be achieved after treating them with Tetracyclin powder (Tetracyclin Hydrochloride, Intervet®) at the rate of 2.5g in 1litre of drinking water for 10 days. The improvement in general cleanliness and feeding management were also found to augment the efficacy of treatment.