How to Treat Avian Pox in Finches

Avian pox occurs in a bird's unfeathered areas, like legs, mouth and wattle (on roosters). It attacks all ranges of birds, from wild turkeys to household finches. This viral disease can be rated as mild to severe, and is most common in warmer climates. Clinical signs are weakness, loss of feathers, difficulty swallowing and breathing, and warty growths on unfeathered body parts. There is no known cure, though there are several possible treatments. The best prevention is to have your finch vaccinated against avian pox.

Things You'll Need

  • Swabs
  • Lugol's solution of iodine or sodium bicarbonate solution
  • 1 percent to 2 percent saline solution
  • Knife
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Instructions

  1. Instructions for Treating Lesions on Legs

    • 1

      You should take your finch to a vet for treatment of lesions in its mouth or on its eyes. To treat lesions on your finch's legs, however, use a straight-edged knife to gently scrape the wart-like lesions off.

    • 2

      Use sodium bicarbonate or Lugol's solution of iodine washes to swab the bird's legs. If the finch's eyes have been affected, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources suggests swabbing them with a 1 percent to 2 percent saline solution. As well, raise the environmental temperature to increase the finch's rate of recovery and swab any old scars from lesions that have already fallen off.

    • 3

      Clean the entire bird cage, including feeder, with alcohol to prevent reinfection.

    • 4

      Continue treatment until the pox disappear. Lesions in the mouth and larynx may cause difficulty in the finch's breathing and eating, which may lead to wasting and eventually death. Lesions in the larynx might also cause suffocation. For avian pox that affects the bird's mouth or larynx, consult a vet and follow her directions.