Clostridial Diseases in Birds 2025 🦠🐦 | Vet Guide by Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Clostridial infections in birds are caused by Clostridium bacteria (e.g., C. perfringens, C. colinum) that thrive in warm, anaerobic environments. Infected birds may develop necrotic or ulcerative enteritis, sudden death, diarrhea, and weight loss. Prompt vet care, supportive treatment, and flock-level prevention are key to recovery.

1. 🦠 Key Clostridium Types

• C. perfringens types A & C: cause necrotic enteritis—rapid, often fatal gastrointestinal disease (. .1)
• C. colinum: causes ulcerative enteritis (“quail disease”), primarily in quail, chickens, game birds (. .3)
• Other Clostridia may complicate cloacal infections or occur secondarily in birds with cloacal prolapse or proventricular stasis (. .2)

2. 🧬 How Birds Get Infected

Bacteria or spores are ingested via contaminated feed, water, or substrates. Disrupted gut flora (e.g., due to coccidia, antibiotic overuse, diet changes) allows Clostridial overgrowth (. .1, . .5).

3. 🚩 Clinical Signs

Necrotic Enteritis (C. perfringens)

• Sudden death up to 50% mortality, often within hours (. .1, . .5)
• Ruffled feathers, depression, bloody diarrhea, dehydration
• Post-mortem: necrosis, pseudomembranes, foul-smelling intestines (. .5)

Ulcerative Enteritis (C. colinum)

• Water to hemorrhagic diarrhea, lethargy, anorexia, sudden death (. .3)
• Quail especially susceptible; chickens less so (. .3)
• Post-mortem: intestinal ulcers, liver infarcts

Other Clostridial Syndromes

• Clostridia may exacerbate cloacal or proventricular conditions
• Signs include foul droppings, cloacal discharge (. .2)

4. 🔬 Diagnosis

• History & clinical signs
• Fecal smears/cultures for Clostridia under anaerobic conditions
• PCR testing for definitive species ID
• Necropsy: characteristic lesions in intestines, liver (. .3)

5. 💊 Treatment

Medical

• Antibiotics: penicillin, bacitracin, tylosin, neomycin in water/feed (. .9, . .13)
• Streptomycin effective for ulcerative enteritis (. .3)

Supportive Care

• Isolate affected birds, keep warm and hydrated (. .9)
• Provide easy access to water, electrolytes, and quality feed
• Probiotics and feed additives (butyrate, essential oils) support gut health (. .11, . .17)

6. 🛡️ Prevention & Control

• Maintain clean feeders, waterers, and low-moisture environments
• Avoid high-carbohydrate or high-NSP diets (e.g., wheat-heavy) (. .5)
• Use anticoccidials where appropriate to reduce gut damage (. .11)
• Clean and disinfect housing between flocks; replace permeable materials (. .3)

7. 👁️‍🗨️ Monitoring & Flock Management

• Watch for sudden mortalities, bloody droppings, droopiness
• Perform flock-level fecal sampling periodically
• Veterinary necropsies on fresh deaths
• During antibiotic reduction programs, supplement with probiotics & essential oils (. .5, . .17)

8. 📊 Quick Overview Table

9. 🧡 Final Thoughts

Clostridial infections in birds can escalate quickly with high mortality. Vigilance, early diagnosis, and combining antibiotic therapy with supportive care can save lives. Prevention—cleanliness, diet control, cocci management, and strategic age-group scheduling—is your strongest tool. When in doubt, consult your avian vet for tailored diagnosis and treatment planning.

— Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

👉 For personalized treatment plans, medication reminders, and flock-level monitoring tools, visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app. Provide your birds with the best protection based on veterinary guidance. 📱✨