Professional Necropsy - what does this mean?

[jennifer0224]

I had a hen die suddenly so took her to UC Davis for a full necropsy. I've done this a few times when younger birds die and I've never had any major surprises on the results. But this one I really don't understand at all. Seems to me like all kinds of bacterial infections? Can anyone tell me if I should be treating the rest of my flock for anything, or if this seems pretty isolated to her?

 

[AinaWGSD]

Salpingitis is inflammation of the oviduct. Ascending infection means they think the bacteria was introduced through the cloaca and traveled up the reproductive tract. Then the infection spread to the blood and from there to the liver where it causedcell death. Coelomitis is the medical term for egg yolk peritonitis. E. coli is a common bacteria of the GI tract that doesn't usually cause any problems as long as it stays in the GI tract. From what I can tell, Gallibacterium anatis is also a common bacteria present in healthy chickens that is opportunistically pathogenic (disease causing).

Can you contact the veterinarian who did the necropsy for clarification and recommendations? I've been out of the field for several years now, so it would be better to get interpretation help from the vet who did the necropsy, but from what I'm reading her it seems likely this shouldn't be an issue for the rest of your flock. It sounds like she's had a reproductive issue that allowed normal bacteria to get out of control and that led to systemic infection (sepsis) which her body just couldn't handle.

 

[jennifer0224]

Salpingitis is inflammation of the oviduct. Ascending infection means they think the bacteria was introduced through the cloaca and traveled up the reproductive tract. Then the infection spread to the blood and from there to the liver where it causedcell death. Coelomitis is the medical term for egg yolk peritonitis. E. coli is a common bacteria of the GI tract that doesn't usually cause any problems as long as it stays in the GI tract. From what I can tell, Gallibacterium anatis is also a common bacteria present in healthy chickens that is opportunistically pathogenic (disease causing).

Can you contact the veterinarian who did the necropsy for clarification and recommendations? I've been out of the field for several years now, so it would be better to get interpretation help from the vet who did the necropsy, but from what I'm reading her it seems likely this shouldn't be an issue for the rest of your flock. It sounds like she's had a reproductive issue that allowed normal bacteria to get out of control and that led to systemic infection (sepsis) which her body just couldn't handle.

Thank you so much for the helpful response! I'll keep a close eye on the rest of the flock but I won't worry too much. Sounds like it could be a one off and all caused by the egg yolk in her cavity then?

UC Davis is a veterinary college and they do not do interpretation of the results. I believe the purpose of offering necropsies at such a low price to the public is so they can teach the students.

Thank you for your help!