Parakeets and finches tend to be the usual sufferers from face mites.
Face mites are microscopic knemidicoptes mites that burrow into the skin on the face and beak of a bird. They are also found around the vent and legs of the bird, and they are contagious. Symptoms range from scratching of the face to crusty or raised lesions, feather loss and temporary disfiguration caused by the burrowing mites. A veterinarian must be consulted to treat these mites, but ivermectin is usually the treatment of choice.
Instructions
1. Identify if the bird has face mites. Look for scratching, feather loss with scaly or dry crusty skin on the face, vent or legs, and a flaky beak as if it was rubbed with sandpaper. Newly acquired birds may be carriers of mites, which could be spread to previously mite-free birds. Early infestations will show the bird still feeding and acting normally, but this should not be considered a sign of wellness because birds do not show sickness until they are seriously ill.
2. Mild infestations can be treated by applying paraffin or Vaseline to the face and beak. Avoid the bird's eyes and do not get the material inside its beak. Apply every three days for two weeks.
3. Anthelmintics are used to treat the mites. Consult a veterinarian for these effective treatments. If an avian veterinarian cannot be found, use moxidectin, which can be purchased at pet supply carriers. Follow directions closely on this topical product for use on small birds because an overdose is fatal. Topical pesticide sprays have little success because they do not kill the eggs or reach all of the burrowing mites.
Related posts
Pet owners should watch for signs that their bird might be plagued by mites.They are known among bird lovers as the "red menace." Red mites are the vampires of the mite kingdom. They lik...
Finches can be infested with several types of mites.Finches can be plagued by feather, skin or leg mites. Symptoms involve roughened skin or legs and irritated movements, shaking and scratching. M...
Parakeets generally contract parasites from dirty or outdoor environments.Like many other types of pets, parakeets are prone to mites. There are three main types of mites that parakeets usually en...
Bird mites can infest both birds and human households.Bird mites are parasites, which means they latch onto their host organisms to meet their own basic needs. Although bird mites primarily infest...
Parakeets are popular household pets, with cheerful attitudes and bright colorations. Like any pet, however, birds come with some drawbacks, which include lice and mites. These insects get into a...
