Accepted Answer

Without seeing it, I'm going to give my best shot.   Your differential diagnosis here would include cutaneous poxviral infection (very contagious, usually both eyes affected), "favus" (cutaneous dermatophytosis - ringworm - very likely, contagious), and fungi: (Aspergillus, Cryptococcus). In addition, check carefully for lice. If lice are noted, you can use Carbaryl powder or a pyrethrin shampoo. If possible, if you can see your vet, impression cytology is helpful to identify some of these pox diagnoses, IF you get a good impression taken from beneath the scabs, where the virus inclusions would be most likely. Pox viral inclusions (Bollinger bodies), are intracytoplasmic inclusions that are actually quite large and visible easily by light microscopy. A biopsy will also be quite rapid to the diagnosis. Fungal hyphae or organisms may be found, also. Dermatophytes (ringworm) would require culture or biopsy with special stains to identify. I would keep her isolated from the others until you have a diagnosis. Best luck! Dr. Devlin

Expert:	Dr. Laura Devlin, DVM
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:
Answered:	1/24/2009

Veterinarian

9 years veterinary practice experience including avian and exotic species.