Cloacitis is the term used to describe inflammation of cloacal discharge that may occur in adult laying hens as a result of high egg production and subsequent weakening of the cloacal organ, caused by enteritis or inflammation of the hen’s intestines or reproductive tract, regardless of the underlying cause.
This infectious disease of poultry, characterized by ulcers in the cloaca with purulent discharge that cause inflammation of the cloaca and eggs with abnormalities in either shape or size, is often the cause of egg retention during laying.
This process originated in wild species of the genus Gallus, such as the Gallus gallus,, from which the current chickens.
The type of cloacitis varies depending on the cause; it may be due to an episode of acute stress, an intestinal infection, a hormone-related uterine problem, or a combination of one or all of these. It occurs most frequently in hens and is associated with impaired egg production.
Generally, this inflammation produces exudates that drain directly outward, which is evident from the clumping of the periclocal feathers; on the back, these feathers are often missing and covered with fecal matter, including droppings, urates, and exudate (mucus). This may in turn be covered by a yellow diphtheritic membrane; in other words, the infection can also cause a red or swollen cloaca that may bleed.
During the course of cloacal inflammation, birds strain to defecate, have difficulty passing stool, and experience a drop in egg production. This leads to a swollen cloaca and infection in the hen’s digestive and reproductive systems, with the first signs being a foul-smelling, whitish discharge that may smell like fermented yeast.
This type of discharge indicates that the hen is experiencing stress and her health is deteriorating. Conditions inside the cloaca become unsanitary, as stress raises the pH level, which impairs its function and makes the cloaca and nearby organs—the rectum and uterus—susceptible to infection.
Scarring can lead to a corresponding reduction in the elasticity and diameter of the cloaca, which can cause problems with egg-laying and, in extreme cases, defecation.
Cloacitis is caused by parasites or stones, as well as by an opportunistic fungal infection of the mucous membranes of the cloaca (Candida albicans), which do not cause infections unless they enter an immunodeficient (with a weakened immune system) or immunocompromised individual.
The bird is more susceptible when its immune system is compromised—for example, if it has been treated with antibiotics for a condition or illness that has killed both beneficial and harmful bacteria in its gut and reproductive tract.
This ailment can be treated by irrigation of the area with iodine is diluted, and the application of a topical antibiotic cream (for skin problems, infectious bacteria and fungi that attack the skin).
Cloacitis, also known as vent gleet, initially manifests as restlessness in the hen, who repeatedly enters and leaves the nest while making constant attempts to expel feces, leading to exhaustion. This causes congestion of the inner mucosa, which becomes red and swollen, and in some cases results in cloacal prolapse.
This infectious disease is also believed to be a sexually transmitted disease in birds, but no definitive causative agent has been identified. It is thought to be transmitted through sexual contact and is characterized by congestion of the membrane at the back of the cloaca and the inner part of the cloaca. The inflammation may spread to the oviduct and the anus.
