Avian frambesia is a common disease in poultry such as chickens or turkeys, but the truth is that it can also affect other species. Although it is generally possible to recover the animal, the most severe cases are usually fatal. Hence the importance of knowing, identifying and preventing this disease, which we will talk about in this article of Animal Expert. We will see the symptoms, treatment and prevention of this disease of global distribution.
If you live with chickens or other birds and have identified suspicious lesions, read on to find out if this is the case. Learn how to identify the symptoms of avian yaws and learn more about treatment.
- It is a viral disease that affects the skin and airways.
- Being one of the most common diseases in chickens.
- The cause is the Variola avium virus.
- Belonging to the family Poxviridae.
- Which is very resistant to environmental conditions.
- It is able to survive in the environment for several months.
- Especially at low temperatures.
- The incubation period of the avian yaw varies from 1 to 10 days and the virus can be transmitted by direct contact or by any contaminated object.
Infected birds can transmit the disease without symptoms. However, when clinical signs appear, they include the appearance of whitish lesions type blisters, especially located in the beards or, in more severe cases, in the legs or even the rest of the body. Over time, these blisters eventually turn into scabs that take about three weeks to heal and fall. They can leave scars. The crest, face, eyes, or featherless parts may swell as part of bird yaw symptoms in chickens and other birds.
This dermatological condition is the most common, but not the only one. In some birds, lesions of the virus affect the mouth and throat, with nasal and eye secretions and breathing problems that can be severe enough to kill the animal. These are the two possible manifestations of the disease, the second being the most dangerous. They can appear simultaneously or independently.
Bird frambesia can occur at any time in the life of birds, but is more common between three and five months. Other symptoms of avian frambesia include lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, slow growth and reduced egg production.
This disease is more common in laying birds. Thus, it is more common to detect avian pian in turkeys, chickens or hens, although they may be different strains, the same strains that cause avian pian in canaries or pigeons. As a result, the clinical picture may differ from the species to what we describe.
Diagnosis of this disease is obtained by looking at the clinical picture and can be confirmed by detecting the virus in a sample taken from the lesions. If the bird coexists with others, it is advisable to separate it and completely clean the environment, as the disease is highly contagious.
Among the medicines used to treat avian yaws, the veterinarian may prescribe disinfectants for skin lesions, which can be applied directly to lesions or water. Vitamins like A may also be indicated and improve skin condition. Secretions can be removed with a saline solution.
As a virus, in principle, antibiotics against avian frambesia would not be necessary, but the presence of this disease implies damage that will promote the proliferation of bacteria, complicating symptoms and therefore antibiotics are recommended according to veterinary criteria. Antifungals can also be considered for the same reason. Avian yaws can be cured, but the recovered birds will still carry the virus, so you should take extreme precautions if, at some point, you want to introduce a new bird into the house.
For more information on chickens, see our article on the shelf life of a chicken.
There is a vaccine against avian yaws that is given by puncture in the wing and can help prevent it. The veterinarian can tell you which administration schedule is best for you. It is also useful for keeping birds in good hygienic conditions, in a suitable and well-fed environment. With all this, your immune system is more likely to be stronger and prevent or minimize any disease.
On the other hand, the distribution of the virus has been associated with the presence of mosquitoes and parasites that feed on blood. Therefore, to avoid disease, the population of these animals should also be monitored, if possible.
As with any disease, you should always follow the vet’s instructions first, but we can recommend herbs that will help improve the immune condition of the bird so that it can better cope with this disease. These herbs are recommended for chickens, so it will be necessary to consult the specialist about their application in other birds. The most effective home remedies for avian frambesia are:
Herbs can be offered dried, fresh or in infusion. Coconut oil, which has antibacterial properties and relieves discomfort of injured skin, can be used for wound treatment while maintaining hydration. Honey is another natural product with beneficial effects on wounds.
Although poxviruses are also responsible for smallpox in humans, there is no evidence that the virus that sickenes birds is capable of infecting humans. Therefore, we must take direct precautions to avoid transmission between birds.
See also our article on infectious bronchitis in chickens
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read articles similar to Bouba aviana: treatment, symptoms and contagion, we recommend that you visit our Infectious Diseases section.