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Pigeon Pox

Pox occurs in pigeon flocks and feral pigeons worldwide. Increased incidence of pigeon pox is observed in humid summer and warm winter weather.

Pathogen:
The pigeon pox virus produces typical skin and mucosal changes in pigeons. It is not infectious for humans and other mammals.

Symptoms of the disease:
There are two forms of pigeon pox:

• In the skin form, birds develop scabby proliferations (pocks), especially where the outer skin meets the mucosa of the eye and beak region, and additionally on the legs. The virus penetrates the skin through minute lesions (scratches, peck lesions and insect bites). The pocks are clearly differentiated from the unchanged skin, but firmly attached to it. (NB: Do not remove them, due to risk of bleeding.)
• In the mucosal form, firmly attached deposits are formed on the mucosa of the crop and pharyngeal cavity. These can impede feed and water uptake and breathing.

The infection usually takes a benign course, providing the skin and mucosal changes - which can also manifest simultaneously - remain confined to the local infection sites. The general condition is impaired if the virus enters the bloodstream and colonises the internal organs. Pox disease lasts for around 3-4 weeks, or even several weeks or months in undernourished pigeons. Secondary bacterial infections may complicate the disease processes.

Recognition of the disease:
The two forms of pox can be identified relatively easily from the typical proliferations or deposits on the skin and mucosa. If the disease is suspected, confirmation is obtained by microscopic examination of affected tissue for so-called "Bollinger inclusions", which contain large quantities of the virus.

Similar conditions:
Trichomoniasis("Canker"), Ornithosis, Infectious Catarrh("Coryza").

Treatment:
As with other viral diseases, it is not possible to combat pigeon pox itself.
In the event of a pox outbreak, emergency vaccination can be carried out of all pigeons that appear healthy in order to prevent the disease spreading. Visibly affected birds should be excluded from emergency vaccination and removed from the flock.
Administration of livimun^® is recommended to stimulate natural resistance, together with chlortetracyclin+ to inhibit secondary bacterial pathogens. To assist recovery, provide birds with the best possible diet and multivitamin EB12.

Notes:
Do not give pigeons any feeds containing calcium (e.g. grit) during treatment with chlortetracyclin+, since calcium binds chlortetracycline and thus reduces its efficacy.
No free flight for affected pigeons.
Do not provide bath water.

Prevention:
Only active immunisation protects the pigeons.

Pigeon pox