bumps like warts on my seramas comb

[PHILLIP78]

What to do I noticed a couple days ago a few of my seramas have wart looking bumps all over their comb one of them looks like its swelling over the eye. Help what is this. Disease or Mosquito bites. I am in south Louisiana in the worst of mosquito season.

 

[Eggcessive]

That is dry fowl pox, a virus spread by mosquitoes which lasts 3-4 weeks. It can spread through the flock through fly or mosquito bites, or by scraping the scabs. There is no treatment, but many apply iodine to the scabs to help them dry up. There is a vaccine available for chickens who haven't yet been exposed, and those that get the pox will be immune to it in the future. The worse wet fowl pox can cause lesions inside the mouth and throat that can be life threatening, so I would recommend looking into the chicken's beak.

 

[MrsBrooke]

I never said you said that, Akrnaf2, and neither did Eggcessive. In fact, if you go look, I specifically said "(as I'm sure you know)" in reference to antibiotics NOT treating a virus.

I still stand by my opinion that antibiotics should NOT be used as a preventative in poultry. You are welcome to disagree and administer to your flock as you see fit.

Have a great day.



@PHILLIP78 , I hope your chickens come through the FP without ill effect... Please let us know if any other symptoms arise.

Keep us posted!

MrsB

 

[MrsBrooke]

It sounds like it could be Fowl Pox. If it is, there are two kinds - wet and dry. Both are spread by mosquitos, and the dry type will run its course with little to no ill effects, if I understand correctly. The wet pox is more serious and can effect the respiratory system.

Any chance of getting a picture for reference?

MrsB

 

[PHILLIP78]

I will take a pic this evening

 

[MrsBrooke]

Okay.

MrsB

 

[PHILLIP78]

 

[MrsBrooke]

Yikes. Poor little mama.

X2 on everything Eggcessive said.

I hope for a speedy recovery for your flock!

MrsB

 

[Akrnaf2]

Some times the worts can be a platform for a secondary bacterial infection.
So I think that you should consider some antibiotic treatment as prevention to this potential infection.
( he is in a real mass!)

 

[MrsBrooke]

Akrnaf2, I must respectfully disagree.

Treating birds with "preventative" antibiotics creates resistance, and not every antibiotic treats every infection, either.

I never recommend throwing medication at a bird unless you KNOW what you are treating for.

In the case of FP, it's best to keep a sharp eye out for any flock member that appears to be declining in health. THEN you can begin treatment... but, again, ONLY if you KNOW what you are treating for.

If you see anyone become lethargic, quit eating or drinking, go pale in the comb, start wheezing, or have discharge coming from their eyes and/or nostrils, THEN take action. But giving antibiotics to a chicken that doesn't need it will do more harm than good, in my opinion.

MrsB