Fowl Pox In Chickens
What is Fowl Pox?
- Fowl pox or avian pox is a slow spreading viral disease in birds.
- This disease affects many types of birds.
- Fowl pox may occur in birds of any age.
- The disease manifests itself in one of two ways - 1) Cutaneous (dry) pox or 2) Diphtheritic (wet) pox.
- The same organism can cause both the dry and wet pox.
Dry Pox Symptoms
- Starts with small whitish spots that develop into wart like spots.
- The spots turn a browny black colour and scab over before final healing.
- The scabs are visible on the featherless parts of the body - the comb, wattles, ear lobes, face, legs, feet and vent.
- Laying birds may experience a reduction in egg production.
- Young birds can have restricted growth.
- Affected birds may look sick and have a poor appetite.
- The birds can remain infected for 3 - 6 weeks.
Wet Pox Symptoms
- Wet pox affects the oral cavity and the upper respiratory tract.
- Birds may find breathing difficult.
- Wet pox can cause a nasal or eye discharge.
- Soft yellow ulcers can form in the mouth and on the tongue.
- Affected birds may look sick and have a poor appetite.
- Laying birds may experience a reduction in egg production.
- Young birds can have restricted growth.
- The birds can remain infected for 3 - 6 weeks.
- Mortality does not usually occur unless the respiratory problems are acute.
Causes
- Fowl Pox is caused by a virus.
- The disease can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact with infected birds, spread through the air or transmitted by mosquitoes.
- The virus can survive for months on contaminated premises.
- Recovered birds do not remain carriers of the disease.
Treatment
- There is no treatment for fowl pox.
- Preventative vaccination will control the disease in future flocks.
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