20 replies to this topic

[**KAZ**]

Parasitic Diseases  

Budgies with a crusty cere, feet and vent are usually infested with the Knemidokoptes mite. Most budgies with this condition are young (usually less than one year of age). These mites do not cause pruritis (itchiness), and cause a honeycomb type appearance to the skin and cere, upon close examination. Scrapings of the lesions or examination of the crusts in oil under the microscope will show the mites. The treatment of choice is ivermectin based upon careful dose calculation Dosage: 0.2 mg/kg PO, repeat in 10-14 day intervals until signs decrease. Although they do not appear to be very contagious, it is recommended that all birds kept in the same cage also be treated with ivermectin, either orally or topically. As with demodectic mange in dogs, this mite appears to be related to the immune status of the bird, and often the offspring of infested birds will develop Knemidokoptes, as well. Treatment should be repeated at two-week intervals until the bird is clinically normal. Long term infestation may result in permanently deformed beaks, which will require periodic shaping by an avian vet with a grinding tool and emery board. Mites do not live off the bird, so treating the cage is not necessary, but is recommended. Mites that occur in older birds usually indicate some underlying medical problem, such as hepatic lipidosis, diabetes mellitus or even tumors. Mites occasionally occur in other species of birds, rarely cockatiels.
Red mites can occur in budgies and cockatiels. These mites are very contagious between birds of different species, and they suck blood. They are visible to the naked eye as tiny specks of red pepper. Red mites (Dermanyssus species) remain off the bird and climb on the host to take a blood meal. They can make the infested birds very nervous and irritated. They sometimes bite people when birds are absent. In addition to treating the birds with red mites, the entire cage and bird area must be thoroughly disinfected to prevent reinfestation. Treatment with oral ivermectin and topical 5% carbaryl, repeated weekly, is usually effective. I saw one case involving a military macaw that had a severe infestation with red mites, and the poor baby bird had multiple feather cysts caused by the damage from the mites.
Feather mites can occur on budgies, and two species have been described to infest budgies. These mites, however, are not commonly encountered. Feather and quill mites can be found (rarely) on cockatiel feathers (usually primary and secondary remiges). Many budgie and 'tiel owners believe that they must use some sort of protection against mites, which can be hung on the outside of the cage, but these are ineffective and potentially dangerous, as the fumes can cause liver damage and perhaps cancer if inhaled for a long period of time. Mite protectors usually have mothballs (paradichlorobenzene) as the active ingredient. If a budgie does not have mites, a mite protector is not necessary to prevent infestation. If a budgie does have an external parasite, it is best to seek the expert advice of an avian veterinarian who can diagnose the exact problem and prescribe the correct medication to treat it at the proper intervals.


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[Elly]

you should pin this Bubbles and add to the FAQ's good information.

[**KAZ**]

lovey, on Jan 24 2007, 23:15, said:

you should pin this Bubbles and add to the FAQ's good information.

  Pinned

[Bea]

Very good info. It was a good idea to pin it.

[eyal]

Bea, on Jan 25 2007, 08:31, said:

Very good info. It was a good idea to pin it.

Hi
i have a new budgie and I realized he got mites.

I think I sprayed him a bit too much on his breast and tummy with a mite spray yesterday.

He started sneezing occasionally last night and still going today

Is it suppose to go?

Eyal

[**KAZ**]

eyal, on Mar 6 2007, 08:20, said:

Bea, on Jan 25 2007, 08:31, said:

Very good info. It was a good idea to pin it.

Hi
i have a new budgie and I realized he got mites.

I think I sprayed him a bit too much on his breast and tummy with a mite spray yesterday.

He started sneezing occasionally last night and still going today

Is it suppose to go?

Eyal

I don't use sprays for some of the reasons you have just experienced. A "pesticide" that can be inhaled is not a good idea. Ivermectin is a drop on method. One spot on its back between the shoulder blades and thats it really. Done. The good thing about that is where you drop on the ivermectin is where the budgies generally cant reach and it works by absorption through the skin. There is a version of ivermectin that goes in the drinking water too.

[Daz]

I use a Fido wash. Got it from a vet and it's good for birds as well as dogs.

[Elly]

added to FAQ section

[Neat]

Kaz ivermec, does that penetrate to the feathers and quills as well???

[**KAZ**]

Neat, on Sep 19 2008, 19:11, said:

Kaz ivermec, does that penetrate to the feathers and quills as well???

I dont know Neat  :mellow:

[Sailorwolf]

You can get mite dust . That will cover the whole bird, feathers and all. Make sure it is made for birds. I actually have some red mite dust. Have never needed it though, but I will use it to dust my nest box.

[Neat]

Yeah I have the coopex ( sp) for when i was stupid and didn't wash branches before i added them to the Breeding avairy and got red mites GRRRRR it is great worked well ...

I wasn't sure if it penetrates into the feather quill though?

[macka]

Where were the branches at,that they were iinfected with red mite.I finnd that a little hard to beleave,unless the chooks
were nesting in the tree.

[**KAZ**]

macka, on Sep 21 2008, 10:44, said:

Where were the branches at,that they were iinfected with red mite.I finnd that a little hard to beleave,unless the chooks
were nesting in the tree.

Neat has a poultry farm as her neighbour I think Macka.

[Neat]

Yep, The is a chook farm behind me about i dunno ( 1 normal house block away) ( i am on acres) and they back on to us.

The branches i use are from gum trees that are up the back -

[Neat]

Neat, on Sep 19 2008, 21:11, said:

Kaz ivermec, does that penetrate to the feathers and quills as well???

YES so a normal vet said Will confirm this next week

[**Liv**]

Neat, on Sep 23 2008, 13:20, said:

Neat, on Sep 19 2008, 21:11, said:

Kaz ivermec, does that penetrate to the feathers and quills as well???

YES so a normal vet said Will confirm this next week

My local bird dealer said it penetrates the feathers too - I am sorry but i don't see how this is possible
Feathers are like our hair, no blood supply once grown

I have some feather mites on my birds and moxidectin (oral pesticide) didn't kill the mites that only feed on feather.

Edited by **Liv**, 23 September 2008 - 14:33.

[Sailorwolf]

Red mites (Dermanysuss) are carried by wild birds too. So any tree has the potential to have red mites.

[Neat]

Ah uh - That is because feathers have a blood supply until they are molted out...

Edited by Neat, 24 September 2008 - 18:27.

[Chicknician]

Maybe relive this thread...

May I ask if using mite shampoo is okay???
I can't find any ivermectin here...

the only thing I can get is a shampoo with active ingredients of "cypermethrin, piperonyl butoxide, D-limonene...

Is this fine to use for Budgies????
My Yellow Dark Eyed Clear is infested with red mite...