Poultry Ascites: Prevention And Treatment
Ascites (water belly) is a disease that enhances accumulation of fluids in a bird's abdominal cavity. The fluid may contain yellow protein clots to produce yellowish tinge. This condition is extremely common in high altitude and more particularly during winter (cooler) season of the year. Ascites is associated with inadequate supply of oxygen, poor ventilation and respiratory diseases. The disease mostly attack meat producing birds like Turkey , Broiler and Duck. The cause of this disease is common attributed to pulmonary hypertension resulting in the failure of the right ventricle. Causes Apart from the fact that anything that limits oxygen uptake can cause the heart to work harder, diseases of the lungs and liver caused by aflatoxin from plants/feed contents. Poor ventilation may be involved and some of the causes of Oxygen deficiency ( hypoxia ) are: 1) Presence of ammonia in the poultry house reduces the oxygen level. 2) Chilling is a common cause in small flocks i