Mouth wound on cockerel - Updated with necropsy results

[Happy Chooks]

Of course fowl pox is normally spread by mosquitos. Have you had any mosquito problems lately to cause fowl pox?

Nope, it's been dry as a bone here for over a month. No rain in the least. I haven't noticed any mosquitos around.

I decided that I'm taking him in to UC Davis tomorrow and have him euthanized and the necropsy done. I need to protect the rest of my flock, and if I can keep them from contracting it if it is something contagious, it will be worth it.

 

[debs_flock]

I'm so sorry Kelly, but I think that's your best plan.

Deb

 

[sourland]

Trichomoniasis (canker) is far more common, in my experience, in pigeons than it is in chickens. It is estimated that as high as 80% of pigeons carry canker. It is a stress related disease and generally appears in overcrowded conditions or when waterers are not sanitized. Since it is an opportunistic organism it can also take advantage of mouth injuries to establish itself in otherwise healthy, well kept birds. As dawg has said, Metronidizole is a very effective treatment. I would be tempted to treat rather than kill that bird unless he is not needed in a breeding program.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Too late. I dropped him off already. It sucked big time.

 

[dawg53]

Too late. I dropped him off already. It sucked big time.

You did the right thing and it hurts. Please post the results when you get a chance. I know it'll take awhile. Thanks.

 

[Wynette]

Kelly.....

 

[Happy Chooks]

I'll have a preliminary report within 24 hours.

 

[OR4-hmom]

Sorry you were in such a rough spot. If I were in your shoes I would have made the same decision even though it's a tough one. You placed your girls interest above your own, if only it didn't hurt to be right.

 

[sourland]

Any definitive lab results?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Final necropsy results are in - it wasn't canker or fowl pox.

It was a massive bacterial infection caused by imbedded plant material. It must have been really imbedded, because I couldn't see anything. He also had a large fissure in his jaw from the necrotic tissue.