Veterinary World (Jan 2009)
Sudden death syndrome – An overview
Abstract
Metabolic disorders affect internal body metabolism and development and are the cause of the large proportion of mortality in both commercial and backyard poultry flocks. One of the main factor affecting these diseases is rapid growth rate. Two of the more important types of metabolic disorders are the “Sudden Death Syndrome” and Ascites. Sudden death syndrome (SDS) is a condition in which apparently healthy fast growing broilers chicks die suddenly from no apparent causes. There is usually a short wing beating convulsions prior to death, so that the majority of affected broilers are found dead lying on their backs. As a result, the condition often been referred to as “Flip-Over Disease”. Sudden death syndrome has developed into a major problem to the broiler industry in many parts of the world. Broilers of all ages are affected starting as early as 2 days of age and continuing through to market age. Peak mortality usually occurs between 3 and 4 weeks of age. Males are more affected than the females. Lung edema is a prominent PM lesions.There is no proper treatment and preventive measures for control of SDS, but incidence can be reduced by management techniques. The causes of the Sudden Death Syndrome includes; Managemental factors, Nutritional factors, Diet Composition and Role of Prostaglandins. [Vet World 2009; 2(11.000): 444-447]
