This acute infection of the intestinal tract is caused by the spore-forming bacteria, Clostridium colinum. Although originally called quail disease because of its devastating effect on quail, ulcerative enteritis is being recognized with increasing frequency in other species of young captive upland game birds and on some occasions in turkeys and chickens.

The disease, which can be mistaken for coccidiosis, mainly produces marked droopiness and severe diarrhea. Small, deep ulcers are scattered along the intestine, while the liver often is found to be covered with large bright yellow- or buff-colored patches.

Up to 100 percent of a young quail flock may be killed by this disease within a few days. Lower, but costly, losses may occur in other game birds.

Having a supply of antibiotics for water administration on hand ahead of time may be the only way to save a flock. One day's delay in proper treatment can be disastrous, but timely administration of bacitracin via the drinking water can produce pronounced improvement.

Water or feed use of streptomycin or tetracyclines also are effective. Water medication may, however, be preferable when as often occurs the flock may be so ill that feed consumption has ceased, and the only way to assure that antibiotics are consumed would be medication via the drinking water.

Flock isolation, segregation, and regular cleanout and cleanup are essential steps in preventing ulcerative enteritis. Always separate old birds from young birds. Keep them on separate premises if you can.

Other game bird diseases are arthropod-borne encephalitis, staphylococcosis, botulism, tuberculosis, coccidiosis, hexamitiasis, erysipelas and fowl cholera.

Waterfowl Diseases

One of the major diseases of the duck-raising industry in the United States, duck virus hepatitis must be a primary health consideration for those keeping ducks, especially Pekins.

The disease occurs almost exclusively in ducklings less than 4 weeks of age. It is an extremely acute, rapidly spreading infection with 50 to 95 percent mortality rates.

Affected ducklings soon lose their ability to stand. In a short time they fall on their sides, with death occurring within an hour of the onset of symptoms. The head and neck often are drawn backwards (opisthotonus). Internally, livers are swollen and spotted with hemorrhages.

Antibiotic treatments are of no value. Immediate administration of duck viral hepatitis antiserum preparations, if potent, can significantly alter the disease's course when used in time.

In most instances, the disease is controlled by vaccinating ducklings, or vaccinating their breeder parents who transmit temporary immunity to their offspring thus protecting them during their early critical weeks of life.

Federally licensed vaccines and antisera are produced at the Duck Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 217, Eastport, N.Y. 11941.

Duck Virus Enteritis, also known as duck plague, is caused by an avian herpes virus capable of producing diarrhea, dehydration and high mortality in all ages of wild or domestic ducks, geese or swans. In many outbreaks Muscovy ducks suffer far heavier mortality rates than other waterfowl on the same premises.

Typical of plague-like maladies, the internal organs of waterfowl with duck virus enteritis are found to contain numerous hemorrhages. The reddened areas of hemorrhage are especially prominent on the liver, the interior and exterior of the intestine and other areas of the digestive tract, throughout the heart and in the ovary. State authorities should be notified of suspected outbreaks.

Vaccine May Help

There is no effective treatment other than possibly vaccinating unaffected waterfowl as soon as possible. Although such vaccination may not prevent all the losses, some vaccinated waterfowl will survive.

State authorities may be able to help you obtain the approvals you will need to use a federally licensed duck virus enteritis vaccine. Contact the aforementioned Duck Research Laboratory in New York where this vaccine is produced.

Vaccine may be authorized also for use in preventing future outbreaks on those farms and locales where duck virus enteritis has been confirmed previously.

The main point in preventing this disease is to keep your waterfowl from mingling or mixing with wild waterfowl because the causative virus is not uncommon in these birds. Their presence in or near your operation should be prevented, and doubly so if you happen to keep Muscovies.

Infectious Serositis.

The bacteria, Pasteurella anatipestifer, generally is regarded as the cause of infectious serositis in both ducks and geese. In ducks, it may be known also as new duck disease or duck septicemia, and in geese as "goose influenza". It is not to be confused with the viral disease, avian influenza.

Affected ducks or geese often have a mucous discharge from the eyes or nostrils, coughing and sneezing. Diarrhea, incoordination, and emaciation also may accompany this disease. The hearts and livers of infected ducks or geese often are covered with a thin grayish-white slightly adherent film. This or similar changes also may be seen in waterfowl infected with other bacterial infections such as fowl cholera or colibacillosis.

Antibiotics and sulfonamides have been reported as useful in treatment. A federally licensed vaccine also is available.

Other waterfowl diseases are botulism, fowl cholera, colibacillosis, paratyphoid infection, coccidiosis, and aspergillosis.

Edward T. Mallinson is Associate Professor, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary nary Medicine, University of Maryland campus, College Park. Jim A. Stunkard is Director of the Bowie Animal Hospital, Bowie, Md.