Fowl Pox

[Cheekin peeps]

My local vet says we've got the fowl pox, and I am having a horrible time finding vaccine...and lost a layer and now two pullets and another one in isolation snorking up nasty nasal goop. Any advice? I started the whole flock on OxyTetracycline in the waterers, and the older ones seem to be okay. It's the young ones that seem most effected (with the exception of the layer I lost.) I'm keeping the pen clean. Any ideas is appreciated...I hate that we got this and have NO idea how it came to be in our flock. TIA

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. What state are you in? Fowl pox is a summer disease,with the virus being spread by mosquitoes. The two main types are dry pox, on the comb, wattles, face, and more rarely on other parts of the body. It is usually not fatal. But the second type, wet or diphtheritic pox, affects the inside of the beak, throat, trachea, and esophagus, causing pain and infection. Many times they won't eat or drink, starving to death. A complication of dry pox is when eyes get lesions near them causing secondary eye infection. Id you can post a few pictures it might help us. Any chicken with scabs around the eyes should get some Terramycin eye ointment or similar to help prevent eye infection and blindness. Most of us don't vaccinate for pox, unless we live in tropical climate or in areas where it is very common. Here are some articles to read to help you, including the last two where pox vaccine is sold:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2015/07/fowl-pox-prevention-treatment.html
http://animalsciencey.ucdavis.edu/avian/Fowlpox.pdf
http://www.hyline.com/aspx/redbook/redbook.aspx?s=5&p=35
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm021
http://www.jefferspet.com/products/poxine
http://www.strombergschickens.com/product/fowl-pox-vaccine-1000-doses/Poultry-Vaccines-Blood-Tests

 

[Cheekin peeps]

I live in central Mississippi. This is not a dry pox, it's more like a flu/cold, with the appetite dropping, eye issues (bubbles and closing/sealing shut) and then the just either die or we dispose of them in a humane way. My layer just dropped over, but I don't think she was eating. The 2 pullets we lost had similar symptoms, especially with the sealed up eyes. I just don't want to lose my flock, I have 21 left and one in isolation. The pullet in isolation was doing "ok" this morning, but still had snotty head. She also has the antibiotic water in her little cage as well.
I do have some spray to mix up and spray the pen down for bugs that is for chickens, and will try and get that done tonight. We have been crazy out of town with issues, so haven't had enough time to spend on the pen. I'm keeping it clean though! I will check out the links, and thank you so much!! Hopefully we can get this out of here fast!

 

[Eggcessive]

That sounds more like a respiratory disease. Some of the common ones are infectious bronchitis, mycoplasma (MG,) coryza, ILT, and aspergillosis. If you lose a chicken, I would send the refrigerated body to your state vet or nearest lab for a necropsy. Are you seeing any pox scabs on the skin? Pictures can help.

 

[Cheekin peeps]

There are no scabs, spots or sores. Just clogged heads and eyes sealing closed, off feed and water. I disposed of the carcasses in case they were contagious. The one I have isolated seems to be improving, for now. Her head doesn't appear to be as stuffy. The closest avian vet is over 3 hours away. All are still on medicated water including the isolated one. I ordered some Oxide today as well. We have to leave town in the morning on an emergency trip but my daughter will be keeping a close watch on them. Hopefully we won't lose any more, (especially the ones I really like!).

 

[Eggcessive]

Do the sick birds have a bad odor, or thick nasal drainage, or any swelling of the face? The oxytetracycline can help with a bacterial respiratory disease if they drink enough of the medicated water. This really doesn't sound like pox to me. I would re-titled your thread for more looks from people, something such as "unknown respiratory disease with loss of appetite," or something similar.

 

[Cheekin peeps]

I'm not sure how to rename the post...but the drainage is thick like pus. The pullet is alive at 4:30 am today and hope she's improving steadily.

 

[Eggcessive]

I'm not sure how to rename the post...but the drainage is thick like pus. The pullet is alive at 4:30 am today and hope she's improving steadily.

How are your chickens doing? If you can't rename your post or edit it, then try starting a new thread here on emergency forum. Pictures can help.

 

[Cheekin peeps]

I lost another pullet. Other than that one all is well. Fingers crossed...I'm out of state on an emergency family issue and plan on getting the vaccine when I return to vaccinate them all for the pox. Thank you all for the insight on this.

 

[Eggcessive]

Once the chickens have fowl pox, they will be immune to that particular strain from then on. Chickens who have not been exposed yet, may be given the vaccine.