Therapeutic management of Turkey pox using ethno-veterinary herbal preparations

Abstract

Turkey pox is economically important disease and is caused by Avipox virus of the family Poxviridae. An outbreak of turkey pox in a turkey farm was recorded. 41 turkey poults showed droopiness, ruffled feathers, reduced appetite and body weight, fever and nodular lesions on head, face and neck. The size of the nodular lesions were between 3 mm to 6 mm diameter. Histopathological examination of the nodular lesions showed intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies. Affected birds were treated with oral and topical ethno-veterinary herbal preparations. Oral paste was prepared with Cumin seeds (Cuminum cyminum), garlic pulp (Allium sativum), black pepper (Piper nigrum), turmeric power (Curcuma longa), leaves of Moringa oleifera, Azadirachta indica and Ocimum sanctum. Topical application was prepared from leaves of Ocimum sanctum, Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera, garlic cloves, turmeric powder, seeds of cumin and camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) were mixed and ground well and was heated with 100 ml of castor oil (Ricinus communis seed oil) and 100 ml of neem oil (A. indica seed oil). All the birds were showed marked recovery on fourth day of treatment.