--- title: "Managing necrotic enteritis: beyond antimicrobials" description: Enteritis causes lesions, inflammation, and shifts in the microbial populations of the intestine. A major consequence is the loss of absorptive capacity. image: https://info.kemin.com/hubfs/Hubspot%20blog%20banner_1348x400px_veterinary%20nutritionals%2013.jpg --- [![Logo Kemin](https://info.kemin.com/hubfs/LLP/Logos/Logo-Kemin.svg) ](https://info.kemin.com/veterinary-nutritionals) Menu # Managing necrotic enteritis: beyond antimicrobials Published on **27-01-2023** - Written by **Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health** - [Poultry](https://info.kemin.com/veterinary-nutritionals/blog/tag/poultry) - [Management](https://info.kemin.com/veterinary-nutritionals/blog/tag/management) Regardless of its cause, enteritis is typically associated with lesions, inflammation, and shifts in the microbial populations of the intestine. A major consequence for affected birds is the loss of absorptive capacity due to the destruction of the villi structure, resulting in growth depression and mortality at the level of the flock. Several enteric diseases can lead to enteritis, but one of the most known worldwide is necrotic enteritis. ## Necrotic enteritis: still a prevalent poultry disease Necrotic enteritis is an acute enterotoxemic disease caused by *Clostridium perfringens*. *C. perfringens* is a normal inhabitant of the intestinal tract of all domestic poultry species. For example, a study indicates that approximately 75 to 95% of broiler chickens have *C. perfringens* as part of their normal intestinal microflora1. However, the disease occurs if several predisposing factors are met: coccidia challenge, toxins, nutrient excess (protein) etc. The clinical illness is usually very short but leads to a sudden increase in flock mortality. Necrotic enteritis affects broiler chickens at 2-6 weeks of age. Layer pullets can be affected during the rearing phase, as well as turkeys during the growing phase. A recent study showed that over the past years, 12% of Belgian layer pullet flocks were diagnosed with necrotic enteritis at a mean age of 10 weeks2. Additional data showed that the prevalence of necrotic enteritis was 9.5% for slow growing broiler flocks had and 39% of organic broiler flocks. These data may vary depending on geographic location. ### How to score necrotic enteritis? Necrotic enteritis lesions have the below characteristics: - Ballooned, friable, and contain a foul-smelling, brown fluid. - The mucosa is usually covered with a pseudo membrane often referred to as a “Turkish towel”. - The lesion could be focal, multifocal or diffused necrosis. Scoring Necrotic Enteritis **Score 0** Normal mucosa/ no gross lesion. **Score 1** The 1-3 focal necrosis are found in the small intestine. **Score 2** More than 3 focal necrosis are found in the small intestine. **Score 3** Diffuse necrosis is found in the small intestine. ### Evaluate subclinical necrotic enteritis Droppings can help you to evaluate subclinical necrotic enteritis - Frothy, foamy droppings - A good dropping creates no fluid zone. Clostridial enteritis dropping creates a clear, limited fluid zone. - Orange colour dropping seen in cases of Clostridial enteritis ## Preventively managing Necrotic enteritis Necrotic enteritis has historically been managed with antibiotics, such as lincomycin or penicillin. Many antibiotic growth promoters, now banned in the EU and in several regions of the world, have also been used in feed to prevent necrotic or bacterial enteritis. However, additional sustainable alternatives can be used to strengthen the prevention of necrotic enteritis. It is all about managing the predisposing factors: - Coccidiosis: vaccination programs are becoming more common, but unlike many coccidiostats, vaccination does not directly contribute to the control of clostridia in the intestine. Additional measures such as the use of the right probiotics, like Bacillus pb6 to effectively support the microbiota and contribute to the control of clostridia, make the difference. - Avoiding excessive amounts of undigested proteins. And non-starch polysaccharide-rich ingredients and specific raw materials such as fishmeal should be carefully managed in the ration. - Alternative solutions help manage clostridia-related symptoms: examples of restored droppings consistency after Bacillus pb6 treatment. ![hubspot blog images_Veterinary Nutritionals_510x350px_Dr Evy Goossens-1](https://info.kemin.com/hubfs/hubspot%20blog%20images_Veterinary%20Nutritionals_510x350px_Dr%20Evy%20Goossens-1.jpg) ## Interested to learn more? Learn more about necrotic enteritis in this video of Dr Evy Goossens from Ghent university focusing on 'Necrotic enteritis in poultry: is it truly one disease?'. [ Get access to the video here ](https://info.kemin.com/video-necrotic-enteritis) ## Also interesting [ 20-11-2024 - Written by Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health ##### Colostrum excellence: hyperprolific sows delivering top notch colostrum – superior start for piglets! Utilising beta glucans could be transformative for pig production, used as an immunoadjuvant boosting immunoglobulin content in colostrum and mature milk. Read more ](https://info.kemin.com/veterinary-nutritionals/blog/colostrum-excellence) [ 20-11-2024 - Written by Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health ##### Maximise colostrum quality and vaccinal response with beta glucans: your herd’s ultimate defence! Incorporating an immunomodulator into your finisher herd management strategy offers dual benefits: rapid stabilization and heightened vaccine efficacy, maximizing the value of your investment. Read more ](https://info.kemin.com/veterinary-nutritionals/blog/colostrum-quality-vaccinal-response) [ 25-10-2024 - Written by Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health ##### Winning the weaning battle – butyrates for optimal gut health in piglets Energize for success: The vital role of butyric acid as energy source for the enterocyte on post weaning performance – field experience. 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