Perosis

an acute or chronic infectious disease of poultry caused by Streptococcus zooepidemicus. Cases of perosis have been recorded in the USA, Sweden, Great Britain, Japan, and Australia. Chickens, turkeys, pigeons, ducklings, and young geese are susceptible to the disease.

Sick birds are the causative agent of perosis. The route of infection is through the digestive tract or an injured extremity. The disease lasts two to three weeks, with the mortality rate sometimes reaching 90 percent. An apparently healthy animal may suddenly die 12 to 24 hours after infection. In other cases, diseased poultry may be characterized by ruffled feathers, drowsiness, diarrhea, spastic movements of the head and extremities, nasal discharge, cyanosis of the comb, swelling of the joints, and the inability to produce eggs.

Perosis is treated with antibiotics and sulfanilamides. Preventive measures include disinfection of stock and animal quarters and the observance of health regulations concerning the raising of poultry.