Fowl Pox
Fowl Pox
Avian Pox, Avian Diphtheria, Bird Pox
Avian Pox, Avian Diphtheria, Bird Pox
............................................................................................................................................... (Dry fowl pox)
What is it: Fowl pox is a viral infection, contracted from a bite of a mosquito carrying the virus. It is contagious to other chickens and birds[1]. There are two forms of fowl pox; dry and wet. Dry fowl pox is the most common. It produces lesions of the leg, body, and head in places that don’t have feathers. Wet pox is the least common. It produces yellow lesions in the throat and respiratory tract.[1] Once a chicken has contracted and recovered from fowl pox, it has developed an immunity to it and generally will not get it again.[3]
Causes:
- Bite from mosquito carrying the virus[1]
- Scratching affected bird, contact with broken skin or mucous membranes[1]
- Contact with dried and fallen off scabs from an affected bird[4]
Symptoms:
- Weight loss[1]
- Lesions in on the face and legs, or in mouth[1]
- Drinking less water[1]
- Difficulty breathing[2]
Prognosis: Depends on the type of fowl pox. Dry fowl pox generally has a good prognosis.[1] Wet fowl pox, however, has a poorer diagnosis, especially in unvaccinated chickens.[4]
Treatment: There is no real treatment, only supportive care. Fowl pox is something that the chicken gets over by itself. But there are some things that can be done to help the chicken stay comfortable, and to prevent secondary infection.
- Supplies
- Topical antibiotics (Neosporin, betadine, iodine , Terramycin, etc)
- Optional: Oral antibiotics (Tetracycline, Terramycin, etc)
- Optional: Vinegar
- Optional: mouthwash
- Optional: Vitamins (Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin B)
- If needed: Eye-safe antibiotics or flush (Saline solution, etc)
- If needed, tweezers or similar
- If needed, tube feeding materials
- Steps
- For dry fowl pox, apply a topical antibiotic to the scabs, or flush with saline solution. Iodine is a popular choice because it is said to dry the scabs up and help the disease pass faster. Do not use iodine around the eyes; use an antibiotic that is safer around that area, or flush with saline solution.
- For wet fowl pox, if the scabs interfere with eating and drinking, then they may be removed and swabbed with mouthwash or iodine. Tube feeding the chicken may be required. Do not remove dry fowl pox scabs. Good source for tube feeding instructions: Step-by-Step Tube Feeding Guide - Pictures - Under construction | BackYard Chickens - Learn How to Raise Chickens
- Oral antibiotics can be given to the chicken to prevent secondary infection, especially with wet fowl pox.
- Vitamins may be given to boost chicken’s immune system
- Add vinegar or iodine to the flock’s drinking water to prevent spread.
- Vinegar: 1 tablespoon per gallon of water
- Iodine: 1 teaspoon per gallon of water for 1% iodine, or ½ teaspoon per gallon for 2%
- Repeat the process until the fowl pox completely clears up and the outbreak is no longer present in the flock.
- Sources
- Fowl pox in Chickens (poultrydvm.com)
- How to Identify Fowl Pox and Treat Your Birds (morningchores.com)
- Fowl pox treatment | BackYard Chickens - Learn How to Raise Chickens
- Wet and Dry Fowl Pox - Graphic Pictures of Pus and Scabs | Page 32 | BackYard Chickens - Learn How to Raise Chickens
- Fowl Pox in Chickens: Cause, Treatment and Prevention (cs-tf.com)
Prevention:
- Keep mosquito population down (eliminate stagnant water, use netting, mosquito traps, and/or bug spray)[4]
- Vaccination (helps prevent infection,[3] and lessens severity of the virus if a chicken does become infected)[4]
- Isolate infected chicken to help prevent spread.
Sources:
