(2) Treatment. Usually this is of little value, as pox will run its course of about 4 weeks, regardless of treatment.
(a) One percent yellow oxide of mercury ointment will help soothe affected eyes.
(b) Pock in the mouth may be cut away, and the area painted with tincture of iodine or carefully cauterized with silver nitrate to stop bleeding.
(c) Birds that refuse to eat may be fed by force until the disease runs its course.
(d) Vaccination has no curative value on affected birds.
(e) Thoroughly clean and disinfect loft after an outbreak of this disease.
(3) Prevention. This is simple if all susceptible birds are vaccinated. Vaccination against pox is one of the most successful known because all birds receiving it are made permanently immune. Birds may be vaccinated at 5 or 6 weeks of age.
(a) Pluck five or six feathers from the breast region of the bird and brush the vaccine into the follicles.
(b) In about 10 days the follicles swell and a pock develops. This runs a course of about 4 weeks and heals.
(c) All susceptible birds in a loft should be vaccinated at the same time and each should be examined for “takes” after vaccinations.