11/9/21, 5:44 PM Fowl cholera in Chickens

Veterinary advice should be sought from your local veterinarian before applying any ×
treatment or vaccine. Not sure who to use? Look up veterinarians who specialize in poultry
using our directory listing. Find me a Vet (http://www.poultrydvm.com/poultry-vets.php)

Fowl Cholera
Other Names: Pasteurellosis
Fowl cholera (FC) is a highly contagious bacterial disease of domestic and wild birds worldwide.
It is caused by Pasteurella multocida, a gram-negative, non-spore-forming, rod shaped bacteria.
There are 16 somatic serotypes of P. multocida, each with varying pathogenicity. The disease
manifests as an acute septicemia or a chronic localized infection. Birds that survive the acute
infection, or who are exposed to a low virulence strain, generally exhibit localized infections.

Clinical Signs of Fowl Cholera

Signs vary depending on the form of the disease.
Acute Form: Infected birds may develop fever, ruffled feathers, lethargy, anorexia, mucoid
discharge from the mouth, increased respiratory rate, and cyanosis. Diarrhea might also
develop, beginning as a watery, whitish discharge which progresses to a greenish color
with mucus present.
Chronic Form: Presents as a localized infection (swelling, inflammation, and abscess) of
the wattles, sinuses, foot pad, sternal bursa, joints (leg or wing), or ears. If the ears are
involved, infected birds may exhibit wry neck (torticollis) from involvement of the middle
ear. Sometimes tracheal rales and dyspnea may occur secondary to respiratory tract
infections. This form of FC may last 3 to 4 weeks and may sometimes persist for years,
even after receiving treatment.

www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fowl-cholera 1/17
11/9/21, 5:44 PM Fowl cholera in Chickens

(http://www.poultrydvm.com/assets/img/poultrydvm-chronic-fowl-cholera-chickens.jpg)
Transmission
FC is spread via horizontal transmission through direct or indirect contact with infected birds. It
is introduced to flocks through wild birds, rodents, predator attacks (especially involving
domestic dogs or cats), newly introduced carrier birds, or fomites (contaminated equipment,
etc). P. multocida can enter through mucous membranes, including oral, nasal, and conjunctival,
as well as through cutaneous wounds. Detailed routes in which FC is spread include:
Direct contact with infected birds: Secretions made from infected birds, requiring close
contact with one another.
Ingestion: Most common route, involving contamination of the environment, feed, or
water with feces from infected hosts.
Predator attacks: Non-fatal predator attacks from wild or domestic animals (dogs, cats,
and raccoons are known to be carriers of high amounts of the bacterium in their oral
cavities and underneath their nails). Any chicken that has been in a predator's mouth or
scratched by a predator should be treated immediately with appropriate antibiotics.
Fomites: Contamination of equipment, clothing, cages, feeders, etc.
Aerosol form

www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fowl-cholera 2/17
11/9/21, 5:44 PM Fowl cholera in Chickens

P. multocida can persist in the environment for weeks after an outbreak. Chronically infected
carriers play a major role in the spread of this disease, and infected birds can remain carriers for
life.
Clinical Signs
Lethargy
Fever
Reduced appetite
Ruffled feathers
Yellowish-gray diarrhea
Mucous discharge from the mouth
Increased respiratory rate
Swollen wattles, sinuses, joints, sternal bursae, ears, or footpads
Lameness
Darkened, purple head and comb (cyanosis)
Wry neck (torticollis)
Diagnosis Reported Cases Treatment
Name Summary
Supportive care Isolate the bird from the flock and place in a safe,
comfortable, warm location (your own chicken "intensive
care unit") with easy access to water and food. Limit
stress. Call your veterinarian.
Probiotics Providing chickens multi-strain probiotics may help R
improve intestinal health while attenuating inflammatory Reuben
reaction, clinical signs and mortality. et al.,
2021
Oxytetracycline 5 mg/kg SC, IM q12-24h or 2500 mg/L drinking water and B
(/drugs/oxytetracycline) 2500 mg/kg feed. Must be given simultaneously in both Speers
feed and water to be effective. Do not use outdated
medication, because it becomes nephrotoxic. Do not give
at the same time as giving products or food containing Al,
Ca, Mg, or Fe as it will reduce or alter absorption of the
drug.
Norfloxacin 8-10 mg/kg PO q24h or 100 mg/L drinking water for 5 B
(/drugs/norfloxacin) days. Not approved by the FDA for use in food-producing Speers
birds.

www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fowl-cholera 3/17
11/9/21, 5:44 PM Fowl cholera in Chickens

Name Summary
Tylosin (/drugs/tylosin) 15-30 mg/kg IM q6-12h B
Speers
Sulfamethazine 0.5 to 1% in food or 0.1% in water for at least 5 days. B
Infection may recur. Speers
Streptomycin 20-50 mg/kg IM q12-24h. May be nephrotoxic or B
(/drugs/streptomycin) neurotoxic. Speers
Penicillin 50,000 IU/kg IM B
(/drugs/penicillin) Speers

Support

(https://amzn.to/2X (https://amzn.to/2S (https://amzn.to/3fE (https://amzn.to/3a

(https://amzn.to/2X (https://amzn.to/2V (https://amzn.to/2y

Prevention
 ()Attenuated live vaccines administered in drinking water
 ()Prevent rodents, wild birds, and other animals from accessing or dropping their feces
within coops and outdoor enclosures
 ()Biosecurity

Scientific References
1Reuben, Rine Christopher, et al. Novel multi-strain probiotics reduces Pasteurella
multocida induced fowl cholera mortality in broilers (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-
www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fowl-cholera 4/17
11/9/21, 5:44 PM Fowl cholera in Chickens

021-88299-0) Scientific Reports 11.1 (2021)

2Raheem, Muhammad Akmal, et al.. Response of lymphatic tissues to natural feed
additives, curcumin (Curcuma longa) and black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa), in broilers
against Pasteurella multocida (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2021.01.028) Poultry Science
100.5 (2021)
3Ujvári, Barbara et al. Occurrence of Pasteurellaceae and Neisseriaceae bacteria in the
pharyngeal and respiratory tract of dogs and cats - Short communication
(https://doi.org/10.1556/004.2020.00036) Acta veterinaria Hungarica (2020)
4Santaniello, Antonio et al. Occurrence of Pasteurella multocida in Dogs Being Trained
for Animal-Assisted Therapy (https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176385) International
journal of environmental research and public health vol. 17,17 6385 (2020)
5Kannangara, Don Walter et al. Pasteurella multocida Infections with Unusual Modes of
Transmission from Animals to Humans: A Study of 79 Cases with 34 Nonbite
Transmissions (https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2019.2558) Vector borne and zoonotic diseases
(Larchmont, N.Y.) vol. 20,9 (2020)
6Mochizuki, Yoshihito et al. Pasteurella multocida-induced endophthalmitis after a cat
scratch (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajoc.2020.100711) American journal of ophthalmology
case reports vol. 18 100711 (2020)
7Blakey, Julia, et al. Fowl cholera and acute heart rupture in a backyard turkey
(https://doi.org/10.1177/1040638718823850) Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation
(2019)
8Pilatti, R. M., et al. Establishment of a Pathogenicity Index for One-day-old Broilers to
Pasteurella multocida Strains Isolated from Clinical Cases in Poultry and Swine
(http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1516-635X2016000200255&script=sci_arttext)
Revista Brasileira de Ciência Avícola (2016)
9Furian TQ, Borges KA, Laviniki V, Rocha SL, de Almeida CN, do Nascimento VP, Salle CT,
Moraes HL.. Virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance of Pasteurella multocida
isolated from poultry and swine. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26887247) Braz
J Microbiol. (2016)
10Brown, Justin D., et al. Surveillance for Pasteurella multocida in Ring-Necked
Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) After an Outbreak of Avian Cholera and Apparently
Successful Antibiotic Treatment. (http://www.aaapjournals.info/doi/abs/10.1637/11301-
101315-Case.1) Avian diseases (2015)
11Salaheen S, Almario JA, Biswas D.. Inhibition of growth and alteration of host cell
interactions of Pasteurella multocida with natural byproducts
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24879687) Poultry Science (2014)

www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fowl-cholera 5/17
11/9/21, 5:44 PM Fowl cholera in Chickens

12Singh R, Remington B, Blackall P, Turni C.. Epidemiology of fowl cholera in free range
broilers (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24758124) Avian DIseases (2014)
13Jones KH, Thornton JK, Zhang Y, Mauel MJ.. A 5-year retrospective report of
Gallibacterium anatis and Pasteurella multocida isolates from chickens in Mississippi.
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24235226) Poultry Science (2013)
14Singh R, Blackall PJ, Remington B, Turni C.. Studies on the presence and persistence of
Pasteurella multocida serovars and genotypes in fowl cholera outbreaks.
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24224551) Avian Pathology (2013)
15Chrzastek K, Kuczkowski M, Wieliczko AK, Bednarek KJ, Wieliczko A.. Molecular
epidemiologic investigation of Polish avian Pasteurella multocida strains isolated from
fowl cholera outbreaks showing restricted geographical and host-specific distribution.
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23050470) Avian Diseases (2012)
16Mbuthia PG, Njagi LW, Nyaga PN, Bebora LC, Minga U, Christensen JP, Olsen JE.. Time-
course investigation of infection with a low virulent Pasteurella multocida strain in
normal and immune-suppressed 12-week-old free-range chickens.
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22107097) Avian Pathology (2011)
17Nanduri B, Shack LA, Burgess SC, Lawrence ML.. The transcriptional response of
Pasteurella multocida to three classes of antibiotics.
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19607655) BMC Genomics (2009)
18N Thomas, D Hunter & C Atkinson Infectious Diseases of Wild Birds. Blackwell
Publishing (2007)
19Pavlícek J, Dyková I.. [Tetramisol, piperazine, and metrifonate treatment of
experimental invasion by Ascaridia galli in chickens of differents ages]
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/826003) Vet Med (Praha) (1976)

www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fowl-cholera 6/17
11/9/21, 5:44 PM Fowl cholera in Chickens

(http://www.poultrydvm.com/photos/signs/watt/2.jpg)

www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fowl-cholera 7/17
11/9/21, 5:44 PM Fowl cholera in Chickens

(http://www.poultrydvm.com/photos/signs/ear/0.jpg)

www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fowl-cholera 8/17
11/9/21, 5:44 PM Fowl cholera in Chickens

(http://www.poultrydvm.com/photos/signs/watt/3.jpg)

www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fowl-cholera 9/17
11/9/21, 5:44 PM Fowl cholera in Chickens

(http://www.poultrydvm.com/photos/signs/watt/4.jpg)

www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fowl-cholera 10/17
11/9/21, 5:44 PM Fowl cholera in Chickens

(http://www.poultrydvm.com/photos/signs/eye/32.jpg)

www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fowl-cholera 11/17
11/9/21, 5:44 PM Fowl cholera in Chickens

(http://www.poultrydvm.com/photos/signs/nec/8.jpg)

www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fowl-cholera 12/17
11/9/21, 5:44 PM Fowl cholera in Chickens

(http://www.poultrydvm.com/photos/signs/facwat/11.jpg)

Geographical Distribution

www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fowl-cholera 13/17
11/9/21, 5:44 PM Fowl cholera in Chickens

Age Range

Fowl cholera occurs in chickens of all ages.

Risk Factors

Wild bird feeders

Rodent populations
Survivor of a recent predator attack (especially from cats or dogs)
Introduction of a new bird to the flock
Stressors, such as changes in environment, nutrition, and injury, can affect the course of
the disease.

www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fowl-cholera 14/17
11/9/21, 5:44 PM Fowl cholera in Chickens

Seasonality

WinterSpringSummerAutumn

Etiology

Pasteurella multocida (/pathogens/pasteurella-multocida)

Also Consider

Aspergillosis (/condition/aspergillosis)
Avian chlamydiosis (/condition/chlamydiosis)
Avian influenza (/condition/avian-influenza)
Botulism (/condition/botulism)
Chronic respiratory disease (/condition/mycoplasma-gallisepticum)
Colibacillosis (/condition/colibacillosis)
Ear infection (/condition/ear-infection)
Erysipelas (/condition/erysipelas)
Infectious coryza (/condition/infectious-coryza)
Infectious laryngotracheitis (/condition/infectious-laryngotracheitis )
Ornithobacteriosis (/condition/ornithobacterium-rhinotracheale)
Staphylococcosis infection (/condition/staphylococcus-infections)

www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fowl-cholera 15/17
11/9/21, 5:44 PM Fowl cholera in Chickens

PoultryDVM.com
About (http://www.poultryDVM.com/about.php)
Terms (http://www.poultryDVM.com/terms.php)
Amazon Associates Disclaimer (http://www.poultryDVM.com/disclaimer.php)
Contact us (http://www.poultryDVM.com/contact.php)
Popular Health Tools
Poultry Vets Directory (http://www.poultryDVM.com/poultry-vets.php)
Chicken Symptom Checker (http://www.poultryDVM.com/views/symptoms.php)
Poultry Predator Identifier (http://www.poultrydvm.com/predator-identifier.php)
Feeds Comparison Tool (http://www.poultrydvm.com/feeds.php)
Poultry Case Stories (http://www.poultryDVM.com/cases.php)
Infographics (http://www.poultrydvm.com/infographs.php)
Follow Us
 Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/poultrydvm)
 Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/poultrydvm)
www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fowl-cholera 16/17
11/9/21, 5:44 PM Fowl cholera in Chickens

 Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/poultrydvm)
 Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/chickendvm)
Switch Animal
Horse (http://www.horseDVM.com)
Goat (http://www.goatDVM.com)
Cow (http://www.CowDVM.com)
Subscribe for Updates

email address

Subscribe

© AnimalDVM, LLC. 2021 All Rights Reserved.

www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fowl-cholera 17/17