Pigeon Pox

This is new youngster from yesterday with a bad pox case.
Sudden cold weather in SA did put down his immune system.
I managed to lure him in the loft with food as he was so hungry.

Steps taken so far:
- Quarantine in separate room no contact with other birds.
- Hand feeding (as I wasn't to sure if he can feed well)
- Canker treatment (combination of rhonidasole and secnidazole)
- Immune boosters (calcium, vitamins, B-glucans)
- Tea tree oil on liaisons
- Cinnamon tea instead of drinking water

Poor guy. I'm glad you were able to catch him. I know that's not always so easy.

Best wishes for your patient, Plamen, and thank you for the info on how you're treating him!

Positive thoughts are on their way for the little one, Plamen.
Please keep us posted.

Poor little one Glad you were able to lure him in. Hoping that he recovers soon. Please keep us posted.

And as always, thank you for mentioning the treatment steps :Yes: it helps newbies like me a lot

It would be very educational if you would post pictures as time progresses so we can follow the improvement.

priya wrote:

And as always, thank you for mentioning the treatment steps :Yes: it helps newbies like me a lot

I with agree Priya. I don't see any canker around here, thank goodness! But its always great to learn more... just in case.

EgypSwiftLady wrote:

priya wrote:

And as always, thank you for mentioning the treatment steps :Yes: it helps newbies like me a lot

I with agree Priya. I don't see any canker around here, thank goodness! But its always great to learn more... just in case.

That is a blessing. For you and the pigeons.

Pigeon pox
Pox infections are caused by a virus that attacks the skin and mucous membrane cells, infecting the bare skin around the eyes, on the beak, on the feet and internally within the mouth and throat area. On occasions infection of a wound on a feathered area of the body can occur. The lesions are typically scabby in appearance with pus often being present due to secondary bacterial infection. The internal form can be so severe that feeding and breathing are affected to the point that death occurs. Lesions typically occur 4 to 14 days after initial infection and may be present for several weeks.
In external pox, an infected pigeon will have crusty lesions on its un-feathered parts, especially around the eyes, around the beak, on the feet, and around the anus. The mucous membrane form (the internal form: diphtheria) is recognized by a cheese like, evil smelling deposit in the beak and throat cavities. It is possible for an individual pigeon to have both forms of the disease. However, the chances of survival are rare if the pigeon has an internal pox.

Transmission:
The poxvirus is transmitted via saliva droplets from the nose and mouth, seldom via droppings. The infection is then picked up with food or water or by a mosquito bite. The virus may be also present in dust that, when inhaled, infects the bird.

Treatment:
The patient should be treated with antibiotics such as chlortetracycline in order to combat possible secondary bacterial infection. Add boric acid to lukewarm water and gently rub it on the affected eye(s) using cotton. In addition, a vitamin preparation should be administered (especially vitamin A to promote skin healing).

· In serious outbreak of pox the deposit on the skin and mucous membrane must be removed daily.
· Treat healthy pigeons with chlortetracycline for 4- 7 days. Also give 7.5 gm chlortetracycline per gallon of drinking water.
· Disinfect the cote at least twice, with a week between treatments.
Continue chlortetracycline treatment for four weeks.

Homeopathic remedies are:
Lesions on head are wart like in nature - Antim tart
Lesions in mouth are diphtheritic type - Kali mur, Nat sulph
Lesions with fever - Antim tart, Aconite
Lesions without fever - Bryonia, Calc phos
Head remedy - Variolinum30, or 200
A combination of Pulsatilla200+ Thuja200 + Nat Sulp200, 5ml each is mixed in 8 liters of water for 100 birds.

Day 3 - he is still strong, gaining weight, slapping me with wings and begging for food.
Growths on the beak are increasing volume, but so far, no new ones appear. only beak area is affected. No secondary infections so far and therefore I decided not to administer any antibiotics as they will compromise his immune system further.

Treatment: Tea tree oil on warts, vitamins and cinnamon tea.

Just some thoughts about possible addition to his treatment:
Carrot juice - instead of water, will promote skin recovery.
Diluted Iodine solution - inside mouth for treatment of liaisons as tea tree oil cannot be used internally.
Should eyelids become affected, diluted boric acid is recommended as well as vitamin A.

Thank you for posting all this information and advice on pigeon pox, Plamen. I don't see much pox around here, but as Robin said, it's great to have the information on hand because we never know when it will be needed.


I'm glad to hear that the patient is getting feisty and improving. All the best!
Is it very common for the lesions to grow before they start subsiding?

Oh Plamenh, your little patient does look awful. What a luck for him to have found you. Thank heaven I have never seen a pigeon here with pox. Could it be that the climate down in south Africa is supporting outbreaks of pox?

Wish your little patient quick recovery with all my heart!

Liaisons are still growing, awful smell from the beak. He is gaining strength and weight though.
I increased feeding 2x40 ml formula per day (doubled initial amount).
Treatment consists of:
Tea tree oil externally - on the q-tip for smearing liaisons.
Iodine solution diluted in water (2 drops to 10 ml) on the q-tip for smearing liaisons in side the mouth.
Vitamins and immune stimulants.
Another dose of rhonidazole and secnidazole against trichomonas.

Poor bird. It looks just terrible.

Not a pleasant sight I agree. Unfortunately I haven't found detailed description of the disease progress, and I don't know what to expect yet.
I know though that it should be approximately 3~4 weeks, but for young birds it may take longer.
Liaisons are becoming darker now, one in the mouth did fell off, but there are two remaining.

That poor bird...the look in his eyes. ...

Is he having a difficult time breathing?

Very good documentation, Plamen.

My heart goes out to that poor pij

Thank you Plamenh for such great photos! They are a very good learning tool.

Poor bird, it's so comforting to know he's in your care!
In the last photos, the lesions look a little smaller and drier than before, so hopefully he's over the worst! I'm very glad one of them has fallen off. Best wishes for you both.

Bless his heart for hanging in there and bless your heart, Plamen, for being such a wonderful caregiver.

This “little poor bird” is giving me hard time. Pecking and wing slapping, wiggling… It is quite a mission to feed him now, when his strength is back.
Interesting part is that when I feed him or smear mouth with Iodine, but the moment I start with Tea Tree oil cleaning his liaisons stands still, seems he enjoys that.
His mouth growth is still bad, Iodine helps a bit. Good thing is that his throat is clear, he can breath without problem, even if he cannot close his beak.
Outside some of the pimples, started piling off. Skin under is pink and bit inflamed, but looks promising for a start.
So far after almost 2 weeks gone, first signs of changes for better are here.

plamenh wrote:

This “little poor bird” is giving me hard time. Pecking and wing slapping, wiggling… It is quite a mission to feed him now, when his strength is back.
Interesting part is that when I feed him or smear mouth with Iodine, but the moment I start with Tea Tree oil cleaning his liaisons stands still, seems he enjoys that.
His mouth growth is still bad, Iodine helps a bit. Good thing is that his throat is clear, he can breath without problem, even if he cannot close his beak.
Outside some of the pimples, started piling off. Skin under is pink and bit inflamed, but looks promising for a start.
So far after almost 2 weeks gone, first signs of changes for better are here.

That's great news, Plamen.

That's one of the worse cases I've ever seen.

The sores certainly look frightening! It's good that his strength is coming back and he's feisty, but I can imagine it doesn't help you at feeding and treating time! A bit like me looking after Hercules: If I give his leg a massage, he gives my hand acupuncture!

By the way, you're not going to call him Quazimodo, are you?!