Sudden death in turkeys with perirenal hemorrhage: Field and laboratory findings

Sudden death associated with perirenal hemorrhage, pulmonary congestion and edema, splenic enlargement and mottling, and hepatic congestion affected rapidly-growing, apparently healthy male turkeys. Concurrent lesions of other diseases occurred in some birds. No causative agent was identified by bacteriological examination.The number of diagnoses of this condition has been increasing in recent years. Mortality usually occurs in males at 8-13 weeks of age. This condition was seen throughout Alberta and was not restricted to poults from any specific hatchery, or on any specific feed. Fast weight gain, continuous lighting programs, crowding, and hyperactivity are possible important etiological factors. Various treatments have been used with no significant effect on mortality from the condition.