| Dissertation note |
A total of 120 broiler chicks were randomly selected and divided into six groups viz A, B, C, D, E and F, consisting of 20 birds each. At 4 week of age, A to E groups were experimentally infected with Salmonella pullorum inoculum. Group E (infected, non-medicated) and F (non-infected and non-medicated) were kept as control. The groups A, B, C and D were treated with Ampicillin 20%, Oxy-N-50, Chioricol10 and Trimodin forte, respectively, post infection. All the groups were kept under close observation to record signs and symptoms of disease, mortality, body weight gain and Feed Conversion Ratio. Gross lesions in visceral organs were also noted during this study. Some blood parameters (TEC, TLC and Hb content) were also estimated, pre and post infection. A mortality percentage in groups A, B, C and D were recorded as, 25%, 35%, 15% and 10%, respectively, while 70% mortality was recorded in control group F. According to this trial Trimodin forte (Trimethoprim Plus Sulphadiazine) . afforded maximum protection against infection and proved best in relation to weight gain and F.C.R. Chloricol-10 (Chioramphenicol) stood second in the list, while Ampicillin-20% (Ampicillin Trihydrate) was the third drug in furnishing protection against the infection. Whereas, Oxy-N-50 (Oxytetracycline plus neomycin sulphate) was the least effective drug in respect of protection against pullorum disease. The signs of ill health appeared 3 to 4 days post infection were listlessness, ruffled feathers, droopy wings, loss of appetite, poor growth, depression, increased thirst and severe diarrhoea of chalky white colour. The postmortem findings were enlarged and congested liver streaked with haemorrhages, 2-3 times enlarged spleen (spleenomegaly), enlarged heart and pericarditis, congested and distended kidneys, area of gray hepatization in lungs, thickened and inflammed intestinal walls and presence of necrotic foci in cardiac muscles, liver, spleen, lungs, caeca, large intestine and muscles of gizzard. The Total Erythrocytic count and Haemoglobin contents were decreased and Total Leukocytic Count, were increased 3 days post infection. The findings of the present study will further elucidate the disease and help in diagnosis and treatment of this malady on large scale.
|
