Common clinical signs of enteritis can include:

• Watery, foamy, mucoid, or bloody droppings.
• Diarrhoea or increased fecal moisture.
• Dirty feathers around the vent.
• Lethargy or reduced activity levels.
• Fluffed-up, tail down and hunched appearance.
• Reduced appetite or complete loss of appetite.
• Weight loss or poor body condition.
• Poor growth rates in young birds.
• Reduced egg production.
• Pale combs and wattles.
• Dehydration.
• Increased water consumption.
• Weakness or reluctance to move.
• Reduced feed conversion and productivity.
• Sudden death in severe cases, particularly with necrotic enteritis.

Clinical signs can vary depending on the underlying cause, severity of intestinal damage, and the species affected.

Chickens

Turkeys

Ducks

Geese

Quail

Pheasants

Partridges

Pigeons and doves

Guinea fowl

Peafowl

Aviary birds

Parrots

+

1. Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is one of the most common causes of enteritis in poultry and is caused by protozoal parasites of the genus Eimeria. These parasites damage the intestinal lining, resulting in inflammation, diarrhoea, poor nutrient absorption, and, in severe cases, significant intestinal damage.

2. Bacterial Infections

A variety of bacteria can cause enteritis, including pathogenic E. coli, Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. These infections can range from mild intestinal inflammation to severe disease and death.

3. Viral Infections

Viruses such as rotavirus, reovirus, adenovirus, and coronavirus can cause inflammation of the intestinal tract, particularly in young birds. Viral enteritis often results in diarrhoea, dehydration, and poor growth.

4. Internal Parasites

Worm burdens and other intestinal parasites can irritate and damage the intestinal lining, leading to inflammation, digestive upset, and reduced nutrient absorption.

5. Dietary Changes

Sudden feed changes, poor-quality feed, excessive protein levels, or nutritional imbalances can disrupt the normal intestinal environment and contribute to enteritis.

6. Toxins

Exposure to toxins, moulds, mycotoxins, chemicals, contaminated feed, or poisonous plants can damage the intestinal lining and trigger inflammation.

7. Stress

Stress caused by transport, rehoming, overcrowding, extreme weather, predator pressure, illness, or flock changes can negatively affect gut health and increase the risk of enteritis.

8. Dysbiosis

An imbalance in the normal intestinal microbiome can allow harmful bacteria to multiply and contribute to intestinal inflammation and disease.

9. Immunosuppression

Birds with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to infections and intestinal disease, increasing the likelihood of developing enteritis.

10. Poor Hygiene

Dirty housing, contaminated feed or water, wet bedding, and poor biosecurity increase exposure to infectious organisms and contribute to the development of enteritis.

Enteritis vs Necrotic Enteritis

Enteritis is a general term that means inflammation of the intestines. It can be caused by a wide range of factors, including coccidiosis, bacterial infections, viruses, parasites, dietary issues, toxins, and stress. The severity can range from mild intestinal irritation through to severe disease.

Necrotic enteritis is a specific and severe form of enteritis caused by the overgrowth of Clostridium perfringens. In necrotic enteritis, the intestinal lining becomes severely damaged and begins to die (necrose), resulting in significant intestinal dysfunction, poor nutrient absorption, severe illness, and potentially death.

In simple terms, all necrotic enteritis is enteritis, but not all enteritis is necrotic enteritis. Necrotic enteritis represents one of the most severe forms of intestinal inflammation seen in poultry.

1. Clinical History

A veterinarian will review the bird's history, including recent illness, dietary changes, stressors, flock health issues, medication use, and any changes in droppings or production.

2. Physical Examination

A thorough physical examination can help assess hydration, body condition, abdominal discomfort, and the overall severity of the illness.

3. Fecal Testing

Fecal Egg Count may be used to identify coccidia, worm burdens, abnormal bacterial populations, or other intestinal pathogens contributing to enteritis.

4. Laboratory Testing

PCR testing, bacterial culture, and other laboratory diagnostics may be recommended to identify specific infectious causes such as E. coli, Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella, or viral infections.

5. Blood Testing

Blood tests may help evaluate hydration status, organ function, inflammation, and the overall health of the bird.

6. Post-Mortem Examination

In severe outbreaks or sudden deaths, a post-mortem examination can provide valuable information about the extent of intestinal damage and help identify the underlying cause. Necrotic enteritis, for example, often produces characteristic lesions within the intestinal tract.

7. Investigation of Underlying Causes

Because enteritis is a broad term describing intestinal inflammation rather than a specific disease, further testing may be required to determine the underlying cause and guide appropriate treatment.

1. Identify and Treat the Underlying Cause

Successful treatment depends on identifying and addressing the cause of the enteritis. Treatment may differ depending on whether the condition is caused by coccidia, bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins, dietary factors, or other underlying diseases.

2. Maintain Hydration

Diarrhoea and reduced feed intake can quickly lead to dehydration. Fresh water should always be available, and electrolytes may be beneficial in some cases.

3. Provide Supportive Care

Affected birds should be kept warm, dry, and comfortable while recovering. Reducing stress and ensuring easy access to food and water can help support recovery.

4. Provide Pain Relief

Enteritis can cause significant intestinal inflammation and discomfort. Appropriate pain relief may improve welfare, encourage birds to eat and drink, and support recovery. Pain relief should be provided under veterinary guidance.

5. Support Gut Health

Probiotics and appropriate nutritional support may help restore normal gut function and promote recovery following intestinal disease.

6. Address Parasitism

Where worms or coccidia are identified, appropriate treatment should be administered to reduce intestinal damage and improve recovery.

7. Treat Bacterial Infections

Bacterial causes of enteritis may require veterinary-prescribed antimicrobial treatment, particularly in severe cases or where significant flock losses are occurring.

8. Review Diet and Husbandry

Feed quality, feeding practices, biosecurity, stocking density, litter quality, and overall flock management should be reviewed and corrected where necessary.

9. Monitor Recovery

Recovery from enteritis can take weeks or even months, particularly following severe infections such as coccidiosis or necrotic enteritis. During this time, birds benefit from supportive care, a low-stress environment, soft easily digestible foods, and close monitoring of droppings, appetite, hydration, and body condition. Hospital pens can be useful for monitoring recovery and preventing competition from flock mates. Even when birds appear clinically normal, the intestinal tract may still be healing.

1. Maintain Good Gut Health

A healthy digestive system is the best defence against enteritis. Providing a balanced diet, minimising stress, and supporting normal gut function can help reduce the risk of intestinal disease.

2. Monitor and Control Parasites

Regular fecal testing and appropriate parasite control can help prevent coccidiosis, worm burdens, and other intestinal diseases that contribute to enteritis.

3. Maintain Good Hygiene

Regular cleaning of housing, feeders, drinkers, and bedding helps reduce exposure to harmful bacteria, parasites, and other infectious organisms.

4. Provide Clean Feed and Water

Fresh feed and clean water should always be available. Mouldy, contaminated, or spoiled feed can increase the risk of digestive disease.

5. Reduce Stress

Stress from transport, overcrowding, extreme weather, predator pressure, illness, or flock changes can negatively affect gut health and increase susceptibility to enteritis.

6. Practice Good Biosecurity

Quarantining new birds, limiting unnecessary flock introductions, and maintaining good biosecurity practices can help reduce the introduction and spread of infectious diseases.

7. Address Health Issues Early

Prompt investigation and treatment of diarrhoea, weight loss, poor growth, or other signs of illness can help prevent more severe intestinal damage from developing.

Seek veterinary advice if you notice:

• Persistent diarrhoea lasting more than a few days
• Watery, foamy, mucoid, or bloody droppings
• Significant lethargy or weakness
• Reduced appetite or complete loss of appetite
• Rapid weight loss or poor body condition
• Signs of dehydration
• A hunched posture, fluffed feathers, or reluctance to move
• Reduced growth rates in young birds
• Multiple birds within the flock showing similar signs
• Birds that are not responding to supportive care
• Sudden deaths within the flock
• Any bird that appears severely unwell or is deteriorating despite treatment

Early intervention can help identify the underlying cause of enteritis and prevent more serious intestinal damage, production losses, and mortality.