Fungal Infections And Treatment Methods
Fungal infections can be fatal for poultry animals. Difficulty breathing, rapid weight loss, eating more, and fatigue are the main symptoms in this disease. Chickens can be tested for fungal infections by performing a swab test.
Reasons For Occurrence Of The Disease:
- Moldy feed (especially processed feed or corn)
- Wet bedding material even after drying
- Spores in the air or on their own surface
- Combination of heat and humidity
- Poor sanitation
- Contact with another infected bird
- A bird's weak immune system
Nowadays, fungal infections have become widespread with the use of antibiotics. This disease creates serious problems especially in immunocompromised birds. The use of antibiotics, besides killing the naturally occurring body flora in animals; causes the immune system to collapse. Fungal infections do not respond to antibiotic treatments and often make the infection worse.
Symptoms of Fungal Infections:
- Weakness from intestinal fungi that can damage digestive system organs
- General lack of coordination of the bird
- Difficulty breathing, gurgling sounds, and respiratory symptoms
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite and weight loss in animals
- Fecal adhesions
- Anemia
- Decreased ovulation and fertility
- Death from a prolonged and/or severe infection
Treatment Methods:
- Chickens should be fed with fresh feed.
- Ventilation should be given due importance.
- The substrates must be kept clean.
- Foods such as raw, fresh garlic can be mixed into animal feed as they are considered good antifungals.
- Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar can also be mixed into their water as it can help prevent infections.
- Probiotics and drugs should not be used at the same time.
- Veterinary examination is vital for animals and should not be neglected for the treatment of disease.
