Tick Fever or Spirochaetosis

It is a highly fatal disease caused by an organism called Borrelia gallinarum. The fowl tick (Argus persicus) is the transmitting agent from one bird to other. The common symptoms are rise in temperature and a subsequent sudden drop below normal, loss of appetite, increased thirst, profuse loose discharge etc. In advanced condition, paralysis of legs and wings occurs and the birds die within 24-48 hours of the appearance of these symptoms. Mortality rate is 70—100%. The affected bird should be injected with soamin and sulphursenol in 2 eg and 1 eg ratio respectively per kg. of body weight. The chemical can be injected in the breast muscle by first dissolving it in distilled water. For prevention, the material used for the construction of house should be tick free. The body of newly purchased birds should be rubbed with gamaxine or BHC powder. As a safeguard, birds can be injected with sulphursenol once a year.