Mycotoxicosis

MYCOTOXICOSIS 
  • Mycotoxicoses is a disease caused by exposure to mycotoxins, and the most prevalent source of mycotoxin contamination for geese is mouldy feedstuffs.
  • Diagnosis of Mycotoxicoses can be very complex since hundreds of mycotoxins have been identified. However, knowing what the geese are being fed, the source, the symptoms the geese are exhibiting and whether or not other livestock or poultry being fed the same feedstuffs are showing similar symptoms, will allow diagnosis of the problem and identification of the source(s) of the mycotoxin. In tropical countries where aflatoxins are very common, their origin is connected with the development of genus Aspergillus.fTavits and Aspergillus parasiticits growing mainly on peanuts but also on soybeans, copra, rice bran and corn.
  • According to the literature, alflatoxins may cause slow growth, a drop in egg production and feather loss for all species of waterfowl, although geese are among the less sensitive.
  • The genus Fusarium produces numerous toxins injurious to geese, and these have been found in corn, sorghum, barley, sunflower seed, oats, mixed feed and brewers' grains. Fusarican mycotoxin production thrives in conditions of high humidity and a temperature of 6-24°C.
  • In temperate climates it is therefore essential that grains be harvested early before the cool-humid conditions of fall arrive as these are conducive to mycotoxin production.

Symptoms

  • T-2 toxin is one of the most common Fusarium toxins and, depending on the level of contamination, will cause feed refusal, reduced activity, increased water consumption, reduced egg production and reduced hatch. There are reports that exposure of young geese to T-2 toxin has resulted in the geese dying within two days. Another Fusarium toxin to which geese are very sensitive is zearalenone which can not only result in an immediate drop in fertility but can also permanently damage the testes of the gander.

Treatment

  • Treatment is to remove the contaminated feedstuff immediately and provide the geese with fresh, uncontaminated feed.
  • The best prevention is to ensure that all purchased feedstuffs are mycotoxin¬free.
Last modified: Tuesday, 8 May 2012, 11:14 AM