Beak infection

[Chocolateedd]

I was looking at one of my pigeons, and was just making sure it was healty, i opened its beak and it looked like it had a piece of corn stuck in the bottom of its mouth, i removed the peice, and then it started to bleed, i was wondering what this could possibly be. It appears that that side of the lower beak it a little bigger than the other side, wider. I was wondering what this was, and how to cure it, thanks, ed

[Trees Gray]

This is possibly canker. You will need to treat all your birds that are around this one as well. Please don't try to remove any more as the bird can bleed to death, and ISOLATE this bird.

Canker is a very devistating disease if left untreated.Please get some meds asap.

The pigeon supply companies have plenty of canker products.

I have never seen it in my birds, but people here use Turbosole, Flagyl, Ridzol, etc. It is good to have several different kinds.

Some of our rehabbers who have seen canker will be along, and I will notify one of them.

Here is a link to some info on canker.

http://www.petcaretips.net/pigeon-canker.html

[cyro51]

HI Ed,

Is the lesion at the back of the throat or in the bowl of the beak? Pox lesions usually occur in the bottom bowl of the beak and can be mistaken for canker, but often the two happen together.

This is a link to my web page on canker, it describes the treatment that I use and has a "before and after" photograph of a pigeon I treated.

http://www.pigeon-aid.pigeon.net/canker.htm

Fortunately you have caught it early. You should separate the bird from the others just in case it has pox, and as Trees mentioned treat the flock for canker.


Cynthia

[KIPPY]

It sound like the 2 I have. Jack and Darlington had canker in the beak and were given Spartrix. I believe it was Jack we had to liquify the spartrix to get it down. Jack and Darlington are fine now that was along time ago. They are both scissored beaked now but doing well.

[Chocolateedd]

thank you very much. I will treat this as soon as i get medication.

[Chocolateedd]

the canker was in the front part of the bottom of the beak , thankyou

[cyro51]

the canker was in the front part of the bottom of the beak , thankyou

In that case your canker could be a pox blister, they are flatter than canker and fill the crater of a burst blister.

Treating it for canker will do no harm.

The photo below is of a pox lesion:

[Chocolateedd]

that is exactly what it looked like, will spartrex get rid of that, and do i have to treat all of the birds, also, i have birds inside my house, parrots, cockatiels and parakeets, will they also be affected?

[Chocolateedd]

what causes this pox blister to occur? is it wild birds, or something like that?

[Birdmom4ever]

Pox is a virus. It can be transmitted by mosquitos. So if wild doves or pigeons in your area have it, yes, it could have been transmitted to your pigeons. There is a brush-on vaccine available from the pigeon supply companies, but it won't help if they've already been infected. They do sell some meds to help dry up pox lesions, but I think you have to just wait it out.

Do treat for canker anyway--it won't hurt and can prevent a secondary infection, as pigeons can be sick with both pox and canker at the same time.

[cyro51]

Pigeon pox is a virus, so spartrix won't get rid of it, but so often they get pox and canker at the same time it would be wise to treat for canker.

Canker spreads by close contact, so your indoor birds should not catch it.

This is a link to information about pox...it also has links to canker and photos of combinations of both conditions. Fortunately I have only had one pigeon with a minor pox infection (and severe canker) , but this means I am not tghe best person to offer advice on prevention and cure!

http://www.chevita.com/tauben/behand...ctions_pox.htm

Cynthia

[Chocolateedd]

so with the pigeon pox, which was the yellowish-white thing at the inside tip of the beak, i should just wait it out? while waiting i will treat for canker, just in case and/or to prevent it

[Trees Gray]

You can purchase THUJA OCCIDENTALIS, a homeopathic from your local health food store. It is used to get rid of tumors of the skin, blemishes, warts, and works on internal pox.

It will get it out of the body in two weeks and will help kick the immune system in gear, too.

Once the bird has had pox they are immune for life.

[Chocolateedd]

thanks trees gray and everyone for your help

[Reti]

The thuja is great for pox.
If you suspect canker, and from your description it could be, you will have to treat individually the sick bird and the flock.
I use mostrly Metronidazol/Flagyl, but other zoles are also used.
How is your bird today? Did you notice additional lesions? If it is pox there will appear more than one lesion. Canker appears as one lesion which extends and grows. It is adviced to treat asap since it can be deadly also it destroys the tissues underneath.

Reti