Chapter 4 - Synovitis

Synovitis may be caused by a number of organisms, most often members of the genus Mycoplasma. Injury and nutritional deficiencies can also lead to Synovitis. The result is acute or chronic inflammation of the membranes lining one or more joints and tendon sheaths. Joints are often noticeably swollen and may contain exudate of variable amounts and consistency. The liver, kidneys and spleen may be swollen, and the liver is sometimes stained green with bile stasis. Lesions vary depending upon whether or not the condition has been confined to the joints without affecting the overall health of the bird or has overwhelmed the bird’s defense mechanisms and caused systemic changes. A carcass that has synovitis and also shows signs of sep/tox or systemic change is condemned. In other words, a whole carcass with synovitis is not condemned unless it also shows systemic change.