Canker Treatment

[beaniezotzim]

I have a bird that I am pretty confident has canker.

•Difficulty breathing (open mouth gasping)
•foul odor
•white/yellow cheese-like substance in mouth/throat area

We have purchased Metronidazole in tablets for pigeons from Jedds.
We have purchased acidified copper sulfate.

She is separated from the flock

We are on day three of the metronidazole treatment. It’s Going well.
We just started the copper sulfate treatment for her and the rest of the flock today.

I’m wondering if anyone has any experience with tea tree oil. We use it in our home a lot when illness comes around because of its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. We typically put 5-6 drops in a bowl with boiling water, place a towel over our heads and breathe in the steam….

Since canker is fungal… could this be helpful for our chicken? My daughter will sit with the bird under a towel so the bird can breathe in the steam.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance

 

[beaniezotzim]

I’m just realizing that it’s not fungal. This is a flagellate Protozoa…. I’m still curious if a tea tree steam would be safe for her and if it would maybe have a beneficial effect

 

[Eggcessive]

Thyme extract capsules have been used by some to treat canker. Canker is a contagious protozoan disease carried by pigeons to other birds and chickens, and it makes carriers of the flock. Separate any with it and disinfect all feeders and waterers. Avoid drinking out of puddles or where wild birds drink. The acidified copper sulfate can be used 1/4 tsp per gallon of water for 3 days a month to help prevent it. Many of us would cull for canker to control its spread.

 

[beaniezotzim]

Thyme extract capsules have been used by some to treat canker. Canker is a contagious protozoan disease carried by pigeons to other birds and chickens, and it makes carriers of the flock. Separate any with it and disinfect all feeders and waterers. Avoid drinking out of puddles or where wild birds drink. The acidified copper sulfate can be used 1/4 tsp per gallon of water for 3 days a month to help prevent it. Many of us would cull for canker to control its spread.

Thanks for the Information. It’s unfortunate about the carrier for life status… Since these birds are our pets, We have decided to just continue to treat the entire flock every month with the ACS and hope to keep it in check. I do understand we are taking a chance here.

She is definitely improving with the metronidazole, and we are on day two of the ACS for the entire flock.

My curiosity is if anyone has any experience with tea tree steams, since tea tree does seem to be detrimental to Protozoa. Basically she’s just breathing in the vapor/steam. I figure she’s not ingesting it per se, it shouldn’t cause any harm…. Just looking for Thoughts or opinions or ponderings about this tea tree method.