Internal Parasites Protazoa Protazoan Diseases Genera Disease Affects Prevalence Cryptosporidium Cryptosporidiosis Cloaca, Liver, air sacs, Cloacal bursa, Eye lids Common Eimeria Coccidiosis Ceca or Intestines Common Histomonas Blackhead Ceca and Liver Very Rare Leucocytozoon Leucocytozoonosis Blood, Liver, Spleen, Brain. Rare Plasmodium Malaria Blood, Liver, Spleen, Brain Rare Toxoplasma Toxoplamaosis Central Nervous System Very Rare Trichomonas Canker Mouth and Throat Rare Symptoms, Disease & Treatment Cryptosporidios There is no known means of treatment for Cryptosporidios. Chickens will develop immuity to this when exposed in low levels. Cryptosporidios is much like Coccidiosis, except for the fact that it is not caused by Eimeria, but it is caused by a protazoa called Cryptosporidium baileyi. Unlike Coccidiosis, Cryptosporidios does not only affect chickens, it affects other birds, and possibly is spread by wild birds. Cryptosporidios is quite common in chickens, and is a mild case, often showing no signs other than pale skin. Once infected, the birds will become immune. Detecting this illness often requires special laboratory testing. Cyptosporidios is known to be sensitive to ammonia in litter and bleach when used as a disinfectant. It also cannot survive in temperatures above 140 degrees. Eimeria More commonly known as, Coccidiosis, this is the most common Protazoal Disease known to poultry. Coccidiosis is the most likely cause of death in young chickens, ages 3 to 6 weeks old. Older chickens are also known to die from this disease. Symptoms of this are, slow or no egg production, slow growth, change in droppings, diarrhea, blood in droppings. The disease may come on very slowly, or the bloody diarrhea and deaths may come on fast, taking you by shock and surprise. Coccidia is present in most chickens intestines by the age of 3 weeks. Gradual exposure usually causes the chicken to become immune to the disease in its environment. Outbreaks often occur in areas of overcrowding. Chickens with low resistance, poor sanitation, change in feeding and water rations, being moved from one area to another, or a drastic change in weather are common causes. Another cause is bringing new chickens into your flock who may carry a different species of Coccidia, that the original chickens are not immune to. ( There are at least 9 species of Coccidia. ) Ways to control Cocci is keeping the living area clean, sanitary food and drinking water, and dry litter. Keep new chickens separated from you flock to be sure they are not sick. Medication can be used when you find there is an outbreak of Coccidiosis. Please ask your feed store for a medication for Coccidiosis, or ask at the Gander Gab and I am sure someone will be able to tell you what to get and how to treat your flock. Histomoniasis Histomonas meleagridis is a protazoan parasite infection that is commonly known as Blackhead. When a bird is infected, its face tends to darken, but that is not a 100% sure sign or necessarily a characteristic of the disease. Blackhead is usually found in turkeys; and chickens are normally immune. Blackhead is found more in free-range chickens than in housed chickens. This is because the disease happens when a chicken eats a worm, fly, or bug that is carrying the parasite, Cecla Worm, in its body. Then when the infected chicken poos and other chickens pick in their droppings, the chickens infect themselves. The only way to cure this is to control Celca Worms. Phenothiazine is approved as a treatment and Levamisole is commonly used also. Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasma gondii is the protazoan that causes Toxoplasmosis in warm-blooded animals such as humans and chickens. It mainly affects the central nervous system, but can also affect muscles and internal organs. Chickens can become affected many different ways; such as eating infected droppings of cats or other animals, picking at an infected chicken; live or dead, or eating earthworms that are carrying Toxoplasma oocysts. It can also be spread from one area to another on the feet of mice and other rodents. The only way to control this is to keep litter dry and clean. You must also eliminate filth, flies, cockroaches, rodents, and ants from the yard. There is no known cure. Trichomoniasis Trichmonas is a protozoan parasite that is spread by pigeons and is spread from pigeons to chicken to chicken through feed or water contaminated with discharge from the infected bird's mouth. Trichmonas causes throat and mouth disease known as Canker. The way to control against this disease is to keep pigeons away and isolate the infected chickens so that the parasite does not spread to other chickens. Blood Parasites There are many uncommon Protazoan Parasites that invade a chicken's blood. Plalasmodium is transmitted by mosquitoes causing malaria. So far this disease has not been found in North America, but has been found in Africa, Asia, and South America. Leucoocytozoon is found in and near swampy places. This is spread by biting midges and blackflies. This causes anemia and sometimes hemorrhage, causing death. The only way to avoid and control these infections is to control bloodsucking and biting insects. Also, do not allow breeding grounds such as, weedy areas and trash to pile up. ©Copyright 2001 The Gander Gab Library Perfect Pets     A Bee bg