Best practices to control gangrenous dermatitis in poultry

Antibiotics remain the most effective approach against the disease, but other management strategies, such as vaccination against infectious bursal disease, can also help.

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Young broiler chickens at the poultry farm
Young broiler chickens at the poultry farm
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Gangrenous dermatitis, also known as necrotic dermatitis, is a skin condition found in young meat birds, typically between the ages of 4-20 weeks of age, that live in excessively warm, humid houses. Antibiotics remain the most effective approach against the disease, but other management strategies, such as vaccination against infectious bursal disease, can also help.

The bacterial disease, which most commonly occurs in broilers chickens and turkey flocks, is characterized by severe cellulitis and necrotic areas of the skin, followed by depression, lameness and increased mortality. Symptoms appear rapidly, usually in less than 24 hours from onset.

Vaccinate against associated diseases

Infection with infectious bursal disease (IBD) or chicken infectious anemia virus can make birds more susceptible to gangrenous dermatitis as a secondary infection. Reticuloendotheliosis virus and adenovirus have also been implicated. Other causes include aflatoxicosis, nutritional insufficiency or imbalance or poor poultry house management/sanitation.

Vaccination for infectious bursal disease and chicken anemia virus can help reduce immunosuppression in poultry flocks, minimizing the risk of gangrenous dermatitis.

Use antibiotics

Antibiotic reduction has been considered a key component of antibiotic stewardship in recent years, however most veterinarians advise that broad-spectrum antibiotics remain the most effective way to prevent and control gangrenous dermatitis and should therefore still be used. 

Effective antibiotics against gangrenous dermatitis include penicillin, erythromycin and tetracyclines.

Identify potential sources of skin trauma

Skin lesions associated with the disease develop when a cutaneous wound on the bird – caused by cannibalism or some other form of trauma – becomes infected with Clostridium septicum, C. perfringens type A and/or Staphylococcus aureus. Infection with multiple types of bacteria is possible.

Because of this, it is important to identify and eliminate any potential causes of skin trauma, whether through beak trimming or close examination of mechanical feeders and equipment to ensure they are not resulting in injury.

Proper litter management is also important, alongside rigorous sanitation of the feeders and waterers. Moist environments can slow wound healing and encourage infection.

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