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Diagnostics key to effective mycoplasma control
Avian mycoplasmosis is a problem for poultry producers worldwide, but according to an expert, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach to managing it.
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Three keys to successful IBV control
Highly contagious and constantly evolving, infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is notoriously difficult to control.
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Unusual presentation of bacterial septicemia in broilers tied to breeders
An unusual presentation of bacterial septicemia in broilers underscores the importance of obtaining a good history and input from bird caretakers, according to David French, DVM, a staff veterinarian...
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Sentinel broilers, PCR testing help isolate, identify evolving IBV populations in Arkansas
How do you look for new serotypes of a virus that might be circulating in an area? Sentinel birds are a good place to start, according to Abigail Reith, DVM, a technical services veterinarian for...
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Virulent ND in California sending wake-up call to US poultry industry
Outbreaks of virulent Newcastle disease (vND) that have spread from backyard to commercial flocks in California are providing a wake-up call to the entire US poultry industry.
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AVMA releases first-ever guidelines for depopulation of animals
The AVMA has published its first ever Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals to help veterinarians support animal welfare in situations where the difficult decision to depopulate has been made.
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Navigating the maze of alternative products for necrotic enteritis control
The effectiveness of antibiotic alternatives is going to vary among “no antibiotics ever” production systems, and it’s up to the producers to figure out which alternatives will work.
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Mycoplasma synoviae demanding more attention as poultry industry grasps its full impact
Emerging, variant strains of Mycoplasma synoviae are causing eggshell apex abnormalities as well as production drops in both layer and breeding flocks worldwide, Anneke Feberwee, DVM, PhD, from GD...
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‘Take a holistic approach’ to get the most from Salmonella vaccination
TOOLBOX, Issue 4: An interview with Marco Quiroz, DVM, Zoetis
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To manage IBDV, ‘let the bird tell you what to do’
Conventional wisdom dictates that infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) field strains should determine the vaccine strategy. However, a recent study from Brazil indicates the reverse is also true.
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Can water treatments help reduce Salmonella levels before processing?
Feed withdrawal before moving broilers to the processing plant appears to increase their susceptibility to Salmonella, indicates research from the University of Georgia.
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When you can’t have more than one: HVT vector or live vaccine for IBDV?
TOOLBOX, Issue 3: An interview with Kalen Cookson, DVM, MAM, Director of Clinical Research, Zoetis
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Biosecurity, disinfection, downtime keys to better ILT control
Strict biosecurity is the best defense against infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) in broiler flocks, advises Maricarmen García, PhD, a professor at the University of Georgia.
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Halting in ovo vaccination not a good option for managing hatchery bacteria
Higher 7-day mortality from bacterial infections in the hatchery is no reason to stop in ovo vaccination for Marek’s and other diseases, according to a consulting poultry veterinarian.
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Study shows how unchanged boots disrupt biosecurity
Poultry farmers looking for ways to reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria in their facilities need look no further than the boots on their feet.
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Controlling coccidiosis helps prevent histomoniasis in broiler pullets
The incidence of histomoniasis, commonly known as blackhead disease, is increasing in Southeastern US broiler-breeding operations — and young breeders 25 to 30 weeks old seem particularly...
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Special Report: Nixing necrotic enteritis in broilers
This week poultry specialists will gather in Denver, Colorado, for the second International Conference on Necrotic Enteritis. In this special report, Poultry Health Today looks at the impact of this...
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Is MS the next ‘big, bad Mycoplasma’ for US poultry?
The US poultry industry is reporting more problems with virulent Mycoplasma synoviae according to Naola Ferguson, DVM
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Loose stools linked to blackhead disease transmission in turkeys
Enteric inflammation and loose stools can affect the rate that turkeys contract blackhead disease.
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On-farm Salmonella control helps prevent processing plant contamination
Contaminated chicken feathers and feet may be the primary vectors for transmitting Salmonella from poultry houses to processing plants, according to Martha Pulido, DVM, PhD, Mississippi State...
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Buckling down on biosecurity
For this special report, our editors talked with disease experts about what poultry companies can do to buckle down on biosecurity and protect their flocks from infectious diseases.
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‘Turkeys are suffering’ without good control of coccidiosis
Turkeys are suffering from coccidiosis due to a lack of available medications, according to Greg Mathis, PhD, Southern Poultry Research, Athens, Georgia.
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Foregoing CAV breeder vaccination based on ELISA results can backfire
Not vaccinating broiler breeders for chicken anemia virus (CAV) because ELISA results show detectable antibodies could be asking for trouble, says Guillermo Zavala, DVM, PhD, Avian Health...
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Lack of medications, veterinarians hamper turkey industry
The US turkey industry continues to be hampered by a lack of approved efficacious drugs, according to a 2017 survey. Since 2005, four medications have been withdrawn, leaving the industry without any...
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Seven misconceptions about IBD in broilers
Kalen Cookson, DVM, is the director of clinical research, poultry, Zoetis. He explained the common misconceptions about infectious bursal disease (IBD) to Poultry Health Today.
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How mutations, antigenic drift affect IBD management
Farms affected by variant infectious bursal disease (IBD) viruses may find that currently available IBD vaccines aren’t always effective, said Daral Jackwood, PhD, professor in food animal research...
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Clostridial dermatitis: Why is it so prevalent in turkeys?
Skin lesions in turkeys open the door to Clostridium infections and clostridial dermatitis, the most important disease in the turkey industry, according to a study by Kakambi Nagaraja, PhD,...
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H9N2 could devastate America’s poultry industry
H9N2, a low-pathogenic avian influenza virus common in parts of Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, would be difficult to control if introduced to the US, said David Suarez, a research leader...
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Is feed a vector for avian influenza virus?
Layer feed does not appear to be a likely vector for transmitting the avian influenza (AI) virus, based on research conducted by Yuko Sato, DVM, of Iowa State University.
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Necrotic enteritis and age of litter: What’s the connection in broilers?
Broilers raised on used litter develop better immunity to necrotic enteritis (NE) than birds raised on new litter when challenged early with Clostridium perfringens, Steve Davis, DVM, president of...
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Avian influenza viruses can persist in footbaths and manure
Growers shouldn’t assume the disinfectants they use in footbaths are effective against avian influenza (AI), indicates a study from the University of California–Davis.
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Infectious bursal disease: ‘It’s never black and white’
Daral Jackwood, PhD, a professor at Ohio State University, is best known in the US poultry industry as the go-to expert on infectious bursal disease (IBD). In an interview with Poultry Health Today,...
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Understanding the clinical picture key to effective IB control
Avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a highly contagious coronavirus found in chickens worldwide that costs the US poultry industry millions of dollars annually.
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New flock-management trends call for new E. coli-management strategies, vets say
Two poultry veterinarians say that prevention of Escherichia coli infection is key as management trends toward free-range housing and reduced antibiotic use.
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Alternative therapies called best long-term hope for blackhead disease in turkeys
Alternative treatments may be the only long-term hope for managing blackhead in turkeys, said Robert Beckstead, PhD, turkey health specialist, North Carolina State University.
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Coccidiosis, necrotic enteritis challenge cage-free layer systems
Cage-free housing for egg layers allows birds to exhibit more natural behaviors, but it also carries an increased risk for morbidity and mortality...
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Compartmentalization key to global avian flu control
Standardizing biosecurity measures across the poultry sector is key to protecting birds from avian influenza and ensuring outbreaks do not decimate trade, according to a poultry health expert.
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Sanderson Farms vet drawing new battle lines against ILT
Sanderson Farms growers have been asked to stop driving their farm trucks off the farm to help prevent outbreaks of infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT), according to Phil Stayer, DVM, head...
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Infectious bronchitis: The ‘eye of the storm’ for chicken health
Ask any poultry producer about the most economically important disease in broilers, breeders or layers. Infectious bronchitis (IB) almost always tops the list and could best be described as the...
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MG in poultry: Often overlooked but still costly
The incidence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum is currently low in broiler and broiler breeder flocks thanks to decades of effort by the US poultry industry, but producers should maintain their guard to...
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Managing coccidia ‘leakage’ in antibiotic-free production systems
The US broiler industry has long relied on coccidial leakage to create immunity against coccidiosis in chickens. In antibiotic-free production systems, leakage occurs but can be more challenging to...
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IBDV: Management obstacles and options
By Daral J. Jackwood, PhD Professor, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine Food Animal Health Research Program Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center The Ohio State University
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Shortage of medications remains top issue for US turkey industry
A shortage of effective, FDA-approved medications is still the top health issue for the US turkey industry, according to a survey conducted by a turkey veterinarian.
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‘Old bug’ with new name easily mistaken for E. coli peritonitis
Commercial chicken flocks that appear to have Escherichia coli peritonitis might actually be infected with a re-emerging old pathogen with a new name.
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Better accuracy, hatchability, protection seen in birds vaccinated with dual-needle system
Broiler studies demonstrate that a dual-needle in ovo delivery system yields more accurate vaccine placement, better hatchability and better disease protection compared to a single-needle...
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Avian influenza in the US: High-path, low-path and its link to other poultry diseases
David Swayne, DVM, PhD, a research veterinarian at USDA with more than 30 years' experience with avian influenza, talks to Poultry Health Today about the dreaded virus — how it travels, the...
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Inexperience leads to disaster in small specialty poultry flock
Disease and high mortality in a small Midwestern poultry operation demonstrate the consequences of inexperience coupled with the treatment restraints of organic farming, Patricia Wakenell, DVM, PhD,...
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Surveillance, careful vaccine selection tops “shoot-in-the-dark” strategy for IB control
Microbiologist Mark Jackwood, PhD, University of Georgia, urges producers not to “shoot in the dark” with infectious bronchitis vaccines and, instead, to focus on surveillance, monitoring and...
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Research: Highly pathogenic AI does not persist in wild birds
While the H5 avian influenza A virus that devastated some Midwestern poultry farms in 2014 to 2015 was initially spread by migratory waterfowl, evidence now suggests that highly pathogenic flu...
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Early SE infection likely to stay with broilers until market age
Broilers with lung exposure to Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) on the day of hatch are very likely to be positive for the pathogen at market age, say investigators.
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E. coli infection: Two types in broilers
While infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) remains a serious threat to broiler health, it often opens the door to costlier secondary E. coli infection.
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Video provides practical biosecurity tips for poultry
A training video that provides practical biosecurity tips for protecting commercial poultry flocks from avian influenza and other infectious diseases has been developed by the University of Maryland...
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The Poultry Smith
In this exclusive interview with Poultry Health Today, Fieldale Farms veterinarian John Smith reflects on his career, the state of the US poultry industry and, most importantly, what it needs to do...
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Backyard flocks biggest risk for spreading vvIBDV in US
By Daral J. Jackwood, PhD Professor, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine Food Animal Health Research Program Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center The Ohio State University
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Condemnations, mortality shift focus to E. coli vaccination in some broiler flocks
While infectious bronchitis remains a serious threat to broiler health, it often opens the door to the more costly secondary infection, E coli, explained Kalen Cookson, DVM, director of clinical...
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Rigorous surveillance imperative to prevent spread of avian influenza
The enormous economic threat that avian influenza (AI) poses to the global poultry industry, coupled with its potential for evolution into zoonotic forms that threaten people, underscore the need for...
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Solving the mystery of gangrenous dermatitis in broilers
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM Corporate Veterinarian Sanderson Farms, Inc.
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E. coli in broilers: Its costly impact on condemnations and mortality
Infectious bronchitis is a never-ending battle for poultry producers, but its the secondary infection E. coli that often proves to be the most costly to broilers in terms of condemnations and...
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Five opportunities to optimize gut health, minimize necrotic enteritis in broilers
By Suzanne Dougherty, DVM, MAM, MS, DACPV Pecking Around Consulting, Inc. Madison, Ala.
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Necrotic enteritis in broilers: Disease or syndrome?
Steve Davis, DVM, of Colorado Quality Research, talks about emerging virulent strains of Clostridium perfringens and their impact on the prevalence severity of necrotic enteritis in broilers.
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Mountaire veterinarian discusses managing E. coli in broilers in the face of IBV infection
Don Ritter, DVM, of Mountaire Farms, details the company’s recent bout with IB in broilers and the costly secondary infection of E. coli that followed.
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Specialists explore new options for managing flock health while defending judicious antibiotic use
Growing demand for poultry raised without food-animal antibiotics has put more pressure on veterinarians to find alternative yet dependable disease-control options, according to a panel of nine...
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Managing E. coli in broilers in the face of IBV infection
Don Ritter, DVM, of Mountaire Farms, Millsboro, Delaware, details the company’s recent bout with infectious bronchitis in broilers and the costly secondary infection of E. coli that followed.
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Taking a holistic approach to poultry health
Poultry companies need to adopt a "more holistic approach" to poultry medicine — one that considers the birds' environment and other variables that can affect vaccine and antibiotic performance,...
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Free 2015 AAAP Proceedings Booklet
Pressures to reduce or eliminate antibiotics from poultry production have created new health and welfare challenges for chickens and turkeys. In this lively roundtable discussion, poultry industry...
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Pathways to protection: How one vaccine decision can affect options for managing other diseases in broilers
Broiler operations want to provide the best disease protection for the least cost, but deciding which vaccines to use and when can be a daunting task.
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Getting gangrenous dermatitis under control
By Jon Schaeffer, DVM, PhD Director, Poultry Veterinary Services Zoetis Inc.
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Shift and drift affect broiler vaccination decisions
Few viruses in poultry remain static over long periods of time. Slight genetic shifts or mutations that occur during replication result in a genetic code drift away from the original virus. Over...
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HPAI spread by poor biosecurity
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently released an updated epidemiology report outlining its findings on the spread of the highly pathogenic AI through June 5.
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ILT vaccination decisions can be difficult balancing act in broilers
By Lloyd Keck, DVM, ACPV Senior Technical Services Veterinarian Zoetis Inc.
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Three more broiler diseases you can manage with vaccination
There's more to poultry health than Marek's, IBD, ILT and ND. Vaccines also play major roles in curbing these common diseases.
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Breaches in biosecurity: Sanderson Farms vet shares three valuable lessons
By Philip A. Stayer, DVM Corporate Veterinarian, Sanderson Farms, Inc.
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Complex broiler-vaccine decisions require expert advice
Developing a vaccination program targeting optimal performance and return requires more planning and expertise than local “experts” at the farm store can offer.
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High stocking density predisposes broilers to NE
High stocking density has adverse effects on broiler welfare and intestinal health and predisposes the birds to necrotic enteritis (NE), according to the results of an experiment conducted by...
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The “Huddling Syndrome” in the southeastern US broiler chicken industry: on-going investigations
By Drs. Alexis Kiers, Samantha Pohl, Holly Sellers, Monique Franca, Brian Jordan, Stephen Roney Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
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Eight ways to protect your farm from avian flu this fall
To prepare for the avian flu this fall, the National Chicken Council (NCC) has identified eight biosecurity principles for broiler and broiler-breeder producers.
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British vets question health, welfare of free-range chickens
While activists tout the happier, healthier life of free-range chickens, veterinarians in Great Britain have expressed concern about their long-term sustainability and increased likelihood of a major...
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Flu panel examines US control efforts, impacts on trade
With well over 200 outbreaks affecting more than 47 million poultry over the last six months, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is hitting the US poultry industry hard.
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Poultry vet urges poultry producers to guard against E. coli
Long regarded as a secondary infection to respiratory disease, E. coli is now rated as a primary infection in many layer and broiler-breeder flocks, according to Jose Linares, DVM and technical...
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What’s left if we lose antibiotics?
Bacterial resistance is developing quickly and many critically important drugs risk becoming obsolete. Disastrous consequences lie in wait therefore unless these drugs are used prudently.
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USDA proposes new measures to reduce Salmonella, Campylobacter
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on January 21 proposed new federal standards to reduce Salmonella and Campylobacter in ground chicken and turkey products as well as raw chicken...
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Broiler chicks show less tendon swelling, weight suppression in reovirus vaccine study
A recent study showed that broiler chicks receiving higher reovirus antibody levels from conventionally vaccinated hens had a lower incidence of tendon swelling and were protected from weight...
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Animal antibiotic study launched by Colorado State University
Colorado State University researchers are conducting a series of studies to track antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the animal agriculture industry in an effort to determine if farm practices are...
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Isolation of Campylobacter from the circulating blood of broilers
From a poultry processing viewpoint, Campylobacter presence in circulating blood of market-age broilers may increase the likelihood of cross-contamination between birds during slaughter.
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Poultry vet offers tips for managing vaccination programs for infectious bursal disease (IBD)
Producers have many options for vaccinating for infectious bursal disease (IBD), but there’s no blanket program for all operations or all seasons. Kalen Cookson, DVM, a veterinarian for Zoetis,...
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The changing face of reovirus in poultry
Don Waldrip, DVM, of Zoetis talks about new variants or reovirus in poultry and the best ways to manage it.
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Infectious bronchitis constantly evolving making it a tough target
Infectious bronchitis may not show symptoms in live birds but surprises poultry producers with condemnations at processing, says Tim Cummings, DVM, technical service veterinarian for Zoetis.
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APHIS veterinarian provides latest update on avian influenza
The current outbreak of highly-pathogenic avian influenza in British Columbia, Canada, and the Pacific Northwest of the United States is associated with wild bird migration in the Pacific flyway.
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Poultry disease identification made easier with test alteration
USDA scientists have found a way to make it easier to detect avian reticuloendotheliosis and Marek's disease by modifying an already available test.
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Field trials show practical, economic benefits of E. coli vaccine in broilers
Recent studies on two continents have demonstrated that a modified-live vaccine reduced losses from Escherichia coli in broilers, even when the disease challenge was strong.
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Kinky back takes costly toll on broilers at 4 to 6 weeks
Broiler producers are being urged to watch for signs of kinky back, an emerging bacterial disease of poultry that can cause significant losses in birds 4 to 6 weeks of age.
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Zoetis receives full license for Georgia 08 IB vaccine
Zoetis Inc. has obtained a full license from the USDA to sell Poulvac® Bron GA 08, the first commercially available vaccine to reduce disease caused by Georgia 2008 (GA 08) Type infectious...
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Zoetis receives USDA conditional license for first vaccine to control Georgia 08 IB strain
Zoetis Inc. has obtained a conditional license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to market the first commercially available vaccine for helping reduce disease caused by the Georgia 08...
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Increased CVI988 vaccine use credited with decline in Marek’s disease
Increased use of CVI988/Rispens vaccines is credited with declines in the incidence of Marek’s disease (MD), according to investigators from USDA‘s Agricultural Research Service.
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Single dose of Poulvac IBMM+Ark protects long-lived broilers for at least 9 weeks
One dose of the live, attenuated vaccine Poulvac® IBMM+Ark effectively protected broilers against two infectious bronchitis (IB) strains for at least 9 weeks, a recent study shows.
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Better protection shown with recommended Marek’s disease vaccine dose in two genetic lines
The recommended dose of two Marek’s disease virus (MDV) vaccines provided better protection in two genetic lines of meat-type chickens compared to a lower dose, the results of a recent study show,...
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