Cloacal prolapse is when the inner tissues of the cloaca protrude from the vent, exposing the intestines, cloaca and/or uterus. The cloaca is comprised of compartments: the largest is the coprodeum, the smallest is the urodeum, and the proctodeum. The coprodeum is responsible for communicating with the distal colon, the urodeum communicates with the distal uretersContinue reading “Cloacal Prolapse”
Author Archives: RVO
Mites and Chickens
There are 9 species of mites that can affect various species of poultry. Some are more common than others. Mites, for the most part are species specific, so while they may hop a ride on you or another animal (some do bite), they will not take up long term residence. Treatment The only approved productsContinue reading “Mites and Chickens”
Lice and Chickens
There are many species of lice that affect various species of poultry and waterfowl, some are more common than others. Avian lice, which belong to the order Mallophaga, have a life cycle of ~3 weeks and normally feed on bits of skin or feather products. Lice may live for several months on the host butContinue reading “Lice and Chickens”
Coccidiosis
Coccidiosis is caused by a one celled parasite of the genus Eimeria. There are 7 strains of Eimeria that can affect chickens and 4 that affect turkeys. Chicken Coccidia species: Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria tenella, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria mitis, Eimeria brunetti, Eimeria praecox Turkey Coccidia species: Eimeria adenoeides, Eimeria meleagrimitis, Eimeria gallopavonis, Eimeria dispersa The lifeContinue reading “Coccidiosis”
Fowl Pox
Fowl pox is a viral infection that affects chickens and turkeys. It is slow spreading. There are 3 forms of fowl pox: Cutaneous (dry pox), Diphtheritic (wet pox) and Systemic. Fowl pox is world wide, but more prevalent in warm, high humidity areas and areas where there is a high population of mosquitoes as theyContinue reading “Fowl Pox”
Splay Leg
Splay leg is a condition of the musculoskeletal system that affects the coxofemoral joint, femur, stifle joint, tibiotarsus, tarsal joint, and/or tarsometatarsus. This causes one or both of the chicks legs to “splay” to the side and makes it so they cannot stand upright. Splay leg has several causes and for the best prognosis, properContinue reading “Splay Leg”
Chicken Eye Sight
Chickens see in tetra-chromatic (they can see red, blue and green light as well as ultraviolet light). They can also see 300 degrees. They see more colors and shades than humans. They have mono-vision – the left eye is far sighted and the right eye is near sighted. They use their left eye to watchContinue reading “Chicken Eye Sight”
Medicated Feed
One of the biggest myths floating around the internet is that medicated feed is toxic to waterfowl and no scientific data to back it up. The most common and readily available medication in feed (most often found in chick starter) is Amprolium. Amprolium is safe for waterfowl as long as it is fed at theContinue reading “Medicated Feed”
Blue Eggs: Understanding Why they’re Blue
By Jessie Collins Did you know that there are only 2 egg shell colors – blue (green eggs are a variation of the blue egg) and white. Brown, tan, cream, olive, etc. are due to the pigment that is deposited on the blue or white egg shell. So what makes a blue egg blue? BlueContinue reading “Blue Eggs: Understanding Why they’re Blue”
VetRx
Did you know that VetRx is NOT a treatment for respiratory diseases. The majority of respiratory diseases CANNOT be cured (birds will remain lifelong carriers). Some of the symptoms may be managed with appropriate antibiotics and VetRx may alleviate some of the milder symptoms, but it is in no way an actual treatment. The activeContinue reading “VetRx”
RVO Vet Corner Files 