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Some articles and publications posted to this website refer to Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, which has since changed its name to Merck Animal Health.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is an inflammation of connective tissues that usually occurs between the skin and muscles or between the muscles themselves. Once it strikes, cellulitis can lead to the condemnation of poultry meat, resulting in significant economic losses for broiler and turkey producers.

Cellulitis is caused by skin-wound infections by particular strains of Escherichia coli, which can replicate in the tissues. These wounds are often very minor.

For example, toe scrapes at 15 to 25 days of age when feather cover is poor are likely predisposing factors. Scratches from other birds can also cause infection. Affected flocks tend to have poorer than average productivity and uniformity. Unfortunately, cellulitis is not readily detectable prior to slaughter.

Early identification is the key to providing effective antibacterial treatment. Careful flock monitoring geared toward reducing toe and skin wounds has the greatest impact in controlling cellulitis. Environmental management may help, as the incidence of cellulitis in turkeys has been shown to increase with higher E. coli bacterial counts in the litter.