HELP! Fowl pox and trouble breathing!

[cleoandtheflock]

My flock has fowl pox. I have another thread about it but no one is answering my most recent questions.

2 hens who have bad fowl pox have their nostrils closing up from the swelling and bumps. Will they still be able to breath soon? :-(

Also it is wet fowl pox and one hen has "cheesy things" in her throat, will these kill her if they grow more? I took the "cheesys" out of another hens mouth because they were loose but this hen's "cheesys" are not loose. Will they block breathing?

 

[Isaac 0]

Sorry to hear about your hens, and sorry no one has been able to respond sooner.

How are they doing? Do you have any pictures of the lesions on the outside of their comb, and on the inside?

It sounds like they both have Dry fowl pox, and one of the hens has developed the wet form as well, which can sometimes happen when the dry pox lesions enter their mouth. As you probably know, there is no cure for Avian pox, only supportive care, and vaccines. The wet form has a higher mortality rate, since birds effected are sometimes unable to eat, or breathe properly. Eventually, the pox will go away, and the birds will then be immune to it in the future.

For the lesions around their comb, and face, I would try applying an antibacterial ointment like Neosporin, or an ophthalmic ointment like Terramycin several times a day. Iodine or betadine can also be used. Note, that the scabs (lesions) are highly contagious so it might be best to remove the birds effected away from the unaffected flock to prevent further contamination. Disinfecting, and clean the feeders and waterers would also be a good idea.

For the lesions in the mouth, I would try removing the ones that seem to be affecting her breathing, and eating abilities the most. You can remove the lesions with a pair of tweezers and, and swab an iodine/antibacterial ointment soaked cotton swab afterward. If it gets to the point where the bird breathing heavily, it may be best to euthanize.

Since secondary bacterial infections can sometimes occur due to the lesions, or removal of them, starting the bird on an antibiotic may prove useful.

Here is some info on Avian pox,

https://the-chicken-chick.com/fowl-pox-prevention-treatmen/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...aphic-pictures-of-pus-and-scabs.818895/page-4

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree with IsaacO that any plaques inside the beak blocking the airway should be removed. Also any lesions blocking a nostril should be removed. That would be the only time that I would disturb a fowl pox lesion since that can be deadly. Betadine or weakened chlorhexidene can be used to coat the site. Betadine is sometimes used to coat pox scabs to help dry them up. Here is a good article to read:
http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/fowl-pox-backyard-flocks