Necrotic Or Gangrenous Dermatitis

This is an acute fatal septicaemic disease of fast growing chickens characterized by sudden onset, sharp and increasing mortality and gangrenous necrosis of the skin over the thigh and breast muscle.
Aetiology
A bacterial disease seen in chickens and basically caused by Clostridium septicum, occasionally Staphylococcus aureus, rarely Clostridium noyvi/oedematiens.
Transmission
It occurs due to invasion of normal wounds in immunosuppressed birds.Hence, Immunosuppression is a predisposing factor particularly following congenital chick anaemia virus infection or early Infectious Bursal disease virus infection(IBD or gumboro disease).
Morbidity and mortality
Morbidity may be up to 50% and mortality is high.
Clinical signs
Occasionally dejection
Loss of appetite
Gangrenous skin
Severe cellulitis especially of thighs and wings.
Sudden mortality.
Post-mortem lesions
Patches of gangrenous skin with underlying emphysematous and sanguinous cellulitis usually over breast and wings, occasionally thighs and other parts.
Swelling and infarction of the liver and spleen.
Foci necrosis on liver.
Diagnosis
Based on clinical signs and post-mortem lesions. Confirmation is by isolation and recognition of the causative agent.
Treatment
Sulphaquinoxaline, penicillin or amoxicillin can be used.
Prevention
Good hygiene and management.
Avoid skin injury and immunosuppression(congenital chicken anaemia virus infection, early bursal disease virus infection).