A little info on Iodine and Betadine

Missi · Top Hen Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 25

Commonly used to treat Avian or Fowl pox.

Iodine, or "Povidone-Iodine", is readily available at your local drug, discount, and grocery stores as well as feed stores. It is a first aid antiseptic for use in humans and animals to prevent infections in minor cuts, scrapes and burns. According to the label, the active ingredient is 10% Povidone Iodine, which is equivalent to 1% titratable (or, available) iodine.
The list of inactive ingredients are as follows:
Citric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Glycerin, Nonoxynol-9, Sodium Hydroxide, and purified water.

Interestingly, Betadine Solution appears to be the same thing, listing the same active ingredient. It's inactive ingredients list is a little shorter though: pareth 25-9, purified water, and sodium hydroxide.

The price tag on my 8oz. bottle of Betadine was right at $20.00, whereas the same sized bottle of Povidone-Iodine (store brand) was $2.00.

In searching for the difference between the two, I found that many hospitals purchase the brand name Betadine product. Surgeons use it for scrubbing hands prior to surgery, as well as for cleaning the area on the patient to be operated on.

Tincture of Iodine is another thing I came across. It is not the same thing as Povidone Iodine or Betadine. In fact, there are warnings against using the tincture. It is said to be poisonous and ..."dangerously inflames mucus membranes and if put on a wound or piercing it can result in a toxic level of iodine absorption."

Another bit of information I came across is that Iodine is not safe to use on individuals with seafood allergies. So, while 10% Povidone Iodine (or Betadine) is reputed as probably the most effective topical antiseptic available, some caution should be used in handling it.

Using Povidone Iodine to treat Avian or Fowl pox is widely recommended. Suggestions vary according to different sources on the exact treatment. Some say to apply the solution full strength to the individual pox or sores, others suggest diluting (I never found an exact ratio) with warm, sterile water and applying it directly to the scabs to help soften them for removal. Both the Betadine and Povidone Iodine bottle that I have say NOT to allow it to come into contact with eyes. However, one source I found says that Betadine is widely used in cataract patients to prep the eye prior to surgery, again, diluted with sterile water.

My conclusion is that I did not need to buy the name brand Betadine to treat my bird's sores (NOTE: I am dealing with the dry form of pox). Using my own judgement, I decided to dilute the solution to a 50/50 mix with bottled water and apply it to the sores, avoiding the eyes. If the scabs progress to covering the eye, I will use plain warm water to soften and remove them. I am also going to start the bird on a 3 day course of Terramycin to prevent any secondary infections, following with a vitamin supplement added to the water for about a week. There is no 'cure' for Avian pox however, there is a vaccine for it. The virus should run it's course in 2-4 weeks. The mortality rate is very low.

This is just my own take on all of the researching I've done on the dry form of Avian pox (Fowl pox). Hopefully it'll help someone down the line looking for the same answers.