An investigation on the predominant diseases, its diagnosis, and commonly used drugs in the poultry farms in the North-Eastern regions of Algeria

AIM: An investigation was carried out to assess the occurrence of diseases, its method of diagnosis, and commonly used drugs in poultry farms in North-Eastern regions of Algeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 265 veterinary doctors were surveyed to obtain information on the dominant diseases, its frequency of occurrence, method of diagnosis, and commonly used drugs in poultry farms. RESULTS: A study revealed that about 68% of bacterial diseases are due to colibacillosis, mycoplasmosis, and salmonellosis, 22% of viral diseases are due to Newcastle, Gumboro, and infectious bronchitis, and 10% others including coccidiosis and ascites syndrome. The study also showed that about 57% of cases were diagnosed by clinical signs, 36% by necropsy findings, and the remaining 7% through therapeutic and laboratory analysis. Antibiotics, a predominance of the anarchic veterinary drugs, were massively used to control the diseases. Hence, there is a need for strict regulations on the use of veterinary drugs to guarantee food safety. CONCLUSION: These results remain non-exhaustive but contribute strongly to determine the status of health of the birds in the region.