Congestive heart failure in broilers, resembling toxic heart degeneration and chick oedema disease

Authors: Lohr JE
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 23, Issue 9, pp 200-206, Sep 1975
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Avian, Poultry, Production animal
Subject Terms: Circulatory system/haematology, Disease/defect, Cardiology, Pathology, Respiratory system
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Between November 1972 and February 1973, severe outbreaks of a disease in broilers, characterized by congestive heart failure, hydropericardium, liver shrinkage, ascites, and sometimes subcutaneous oedema were observed in the North Island . The disease resembled enzootic fatal syncope (toxic heart degeneration) described earlier in laying hens in New Zealand (Fischel, 1946), chick edema disease seen in the U.S.A. (Schmittle et al 1958; Sanger et al 1958), possible fat intoxication in chickens reported from Britain (Wannop and Chubb, 1961), and alimentary toxaemia or water belly ascites experienced in Australia (Sinkovic, 1961). The lesions described by Fischel (1946) in laying hens included enlargement of the heart, hydropericardium, ascites, passive venous congestion, and the covering of the liver with a gelatinous layer…

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