First post.......first chickens...first problem???

[missmedic2]

Any one familiar with DRY Pox??? could it be that???

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi, this might help, let me know, ya learn something new every day on here.....

Avian Pox
Avian pox is a relatively slow-spreading viral disease in birds, characterized by wart-like nodules on the skin and diphtheritic necrotic membranes lining the mouth and upper respiratory system. It has been present in birds since the earliest history. Mortality is not usually significant unless the respiratory involvement is marked. The disease may occur in any age of bird, at any time.
Avian pox is caused by a virus of which there are at least three different strains or types; fowl pox virus, pigeon pox virus and canary pox virus. Although some workers include turkey pox virus as a distinct strain, many feel that is identical to fowl pox virus.

Each virus strain is infective for a number of species of birds. Natural occurring pox in chickens, turkeys and other domestic fowl is considered to be caused by fowl pox virus.

Fowl pox can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact. The virus is highly resistant in dried scabs and under certain conditions may survive for months on contaminated premises. The disease may be transmitted by a number of species of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can harbor infective virus for a month or more after feeding on affected birds. After the infection is introduced, it spreads within the flock by mosquitoes as well as direct and indirect contact. Recovered birds do not remain carriers.

Since fowl pox usually spreads slowly, a flock may be affected for several months. The course of the disease in the individual bird takes three to five weeks. Affected young birds are retarded in growth. Laying birds experience a drop in egg production. Birds of all ages that have oral or respiratory system involvement have difficulty eating and breathing. The disease manifests itself in one or two ways, cutaneous pox (dry form) or diphtheritic pox (wet form).

Dry pox starts as small whitish foci that develop into wart-like nodules. The nodules eventually are sloughed and scab formation precedes final healing. Lesions are most commonly seen on the featherless parts of the body (comb, wattles, ear lobes, eyes, and sometimes the feet).

Wet pox is associated with the oral cavity and the upper respiratory tract, particularly the larynx and trachea. The lesions are diphtheritic in character and involve the mucous membranes to such a degree that when removed, an ulcerated or eroded area is left.

Fowl pox is readily diagnosed on the basis of flock history and presence of typical lesions. In some cases, laboratory diagnosis by tissue or transmission studies is necessary.

There is no treatment for fowl pox. Disease control is accomplished best by preventative vaccination since ordinary management and sanitation practices will not prevent it. Several kinds of vaccines are available and are effective if used properly.

Vaccination of broilers is not usually required unless the mosquito population is high or infections have occurred previously. The chicks may be vaccinated as young as one day of age by using the wing-web method and using a one needle applicator. All replacement chickens are vaccinated against fowl pox when the birds are six to ten weeks of age. One application of fowl pox vaccine results in permanent immunity.
Deb
Heavens Door Acres
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#5 04/02/2007 9:13 pm
chickengirl
New Egg
From: Florida
Registered: 02/25/2007
Posts: 17
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Re: rooster with chicken pox
Hi i have had fowl pox 2 times before the first time i had it, it spread to my other birds i called all over to figure out what to do i finally got a hold of someone and they told me to put neosporin on it for a week or until it went away i have used that both times and works like a charm it takes time but it ow what you think after reading, thanks ;

 

[missmedic2]

I have been reading about the Fowl pox but the spot my bird has is not scabbed like i see in all the photos.........did you see the photo on my BYC page???

thank for the info!! Really helps!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes I did and to me it looked more like that Papaloma [sp] thingy. What do you think? but you being in fla. and south fl. guess you have them nasty mosquitos year round huh?

 

[missmedic2]

no mosquitos when it's cold..............

 

[Miss Lydia]

did you look up the paplloma virus in chickens? how about the others no signs of this on them? Have you tried to put anything on this? it being right at the eye it would be hard but might want to try some iodine to see if it would dry it up.

 

[missmedic2]

Spoke the breeder and he says his flock has had Dry Pox..........so guessing that's what she has. He also said he did not vaccinate the chicks against it since the rest of the litter died from the cold when his power went out during a freeze. He said he ended up forgetting and his guess it's Dry Pox as well. So I will have to wait and see what happens. Wish me luck!!

Her eye was swollen shut and I gave her topical antibiotic in the eye starting on Friday. .so now the eye is half open which seems to be getting a bit better. The growth is still large and ugly...we will have to wait and see.

Thanks for all the comments and support!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Most posts I've seen about fowl pox is if they have to have it the dry form is best. Glad to hear her eye is looking better. Might try giving her some poly-vi-sol w/o iron to to help her immune system fight this. Also poultry drench in her water or ACV, Also read this it's an awesome article and I know most people on here are probably tired of me talking about it but I believe we all should have this for our backyard flocks. www.shagbarkbantams.com/oxine.htm

 

[Judy]

It would be an unusual case indeed if it's dry pox, and how many mosquitos do you see this time of year?

Whatever it is, the antibiotic ointment surely won't hurt and at the very least should make her more comfortable. Quite possible you'll never know. I have a partly blocked gland under one eyelid I've had all my life. Once in a while it flares up and gets infected. Could be something as simple as that.

Stuff happens. Best of luck to you.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well ddawn being I was born and raised in Fl. it is very possible for there to be mosquitos out there this time of year, I think they wear coats.