Abstract

The incidence of death of broiler birds above 40 days suddenly increased in the month of July to October 2009 in Kathmandu valley. Birds that were presented for post-mortem examination at the Central Veterinary Laboratory Tripureswor Kathmandu were usually found dead on their backs with wings out-stretched. Gross abnormalities recorded on post mortem examinations were: muscle oedema, pulmonary, renal and liver congestion, dark black to pale yellow streaked liver bile filled gall bladder and congestive splenomegaly, blood clot in atrium haemorrhage in duodenal muscle, whitish yellow pasty fluid in proventriculus gland, greenish coloration marked intact feed particles in gizzard and excessive mucous filled swollen intestine. Incidence rate was recorded between 1.5 to 2.5% of the flock. The mean mortality rate due to sudden death syndrome was 1.3 to 9.6%. Penicillium spp. Aspergillus spp. with CFU ranging from 56 × 10⁴  to 62 × 10⁵, to uncountable mold count ^,Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were the usual organisms isolated from culture samples of liver, lung, spleen and proventriculus. The condition seems to be related to mycotoxicosis. Reduction of mortality was achieved by feed restriction, with 8 to 10% reduction in nutrient density. Supplementation of glucose containing electrolyte, liquid toxin binder, immuno-modulator, acidifier and antibiotic therapy.

Key word: Sudden death syndrome, broiler birds, Kathmandu valley, Penicillium, CFU, ranging from 56 × 10⁴ to 62 × 10⁵ g, uncountable mold count.