Tick mite in the parrot: treatment

Parrots, like any other of our pets, are prone to various diseases. Unfortunately, not all of them are immediately recognized even by experienced veterinarians. But first of all care of his pet falls on the shoulders of his master, so he must closely monitor the condition of the bird. Let's see what symptoms indicate that the parrot has a tick, and how to deal with these parasites.

Symptoms

You should be alert if you notice that the bird is constantly itching. The reasons for this can be very different: from the usual molt to the parasite on its feathers. The tick is easy to notice, it does not need any special knowledge. You just need to inspect the bird. Should be alerted, if the bird is constantly itching, loses some of the plumage. There are several stages of the disease, and, unfortunately, even an experienced specialist can not determine the parasite on the initial stages. The incubation period lasts four months, during which it is impossible to identify the mite in parrots. At the second stage, the mite no longer only disturbs the bird, but can also be seen by the masters. The bird begins to peel the skin, it constantly pecks the dead particles of the epidermis. Small feather-like growths appear on feather-free skin areas.

At the next stage of the disease, the growths are visible even without a thorough examination, and small patches of bare skin are also noticeable due to loss of plumage. The bird is sluggish and lifeless, refuses to feed. Go to the last stage of the disease parrot can only have a particularly inattentive owners who are not at all interested in their pet. Poultry is almost completely missing plumage, joints are inflamed and deformed. The beak is twisted, the skin is covered with outgrowths. In this case it is practically impossible to save the parrot. Below is a photo of a parrot with a tick at the last stage of the disease.

Types of mites in parrots

Symptoms of parasite infestation by mite may differ depending on the type of parasite. You should know that there are several types of ticks that can hit your pet:

• Itchy;
• Feather;
• Gamas;
• Tracheal.

What is dangerous for each of these species and how to treat a mite in parrots?

Scabies mite

In the parrot infected with this parasite, on the skin, on the legs, around the beak and eyes, i.e. on all parts of the body on which plumage is absent, yellow or light brown porous outgrowths are formed which in time can deform the beak and paws of the bird . He will not be able to eat properly and eventually die. The onset of the disease is characterized by the fact that the parrot often itches, pulling out feathers, does not show interest in the feed, becomes sluggish and inactive. The causes of the scabies mite in the parrots is poor feed, untreated in time feeder or a bird drinking bowl, dirt in the cage. Such a tick can also pass from an already infected bird. With good care, he can not show himself and do not disturb your pet. This type of ticks in parrots is most common.

Feather Mite

This kind of ticks, as it becomes clear from the name, lives mainly on the feathers of birds, which are for them a nutrient medium. When this parasite is damaged, feathers of the bird become eaten and covered with small holes. The parrot loses most of the plumage, constantly plucks its feathers. Ticks are the cause of complete baldness of the bird.

The gas mite

These mites come to the parrot together with earth or sand. They are clearly visible to the naked eye - they look like red swarming points. Can live not only on the bird, but also in the litter or in the cracks of the house. The most active at night. If you notice that your bird is restless in the dark, constantly itches and plucks the plumage, you need to immediately inspect both the parrot and its cage.

Tracheal tick

One of the most dangerous ticks, since it affects the mucous membranes of the trachea. A bird can suffer from a lack of appetite, a violation of breathing, constantly coughing or sneezing. The parrot can not take food and eventually die. Such a tick can only be revealed by an experienced veterinarian, so if there is at least one of the symptoms, you should immediately go to the hospital.

Very often the bird is infected in the pet store, so when you need to purchase it is necessary to inspect the parrot well. Scabies mite, with proper care, does not pose any danger, but it will be necessary to compete with other species. Take the infected bird only if you are confident in your abilities. Here it should be said that people do not need to be afraid of these parasites, they do not live on people's skin, because they do not represent threats.

Treatment

It is better not to engage in self-medication, but immediately go to the veterinary clinic, as soon as you notice at least some signs that your parrot is tormented by parasites. With improperly selected medications, the bird can cause much more harm and then long to correct the consequences. Treatment of mites in parrots should begin immediately when the first signs of the disease. As mentioned above, for a person these parasites are not dangerous, so you can fight them yourself. The treatment itself is:

• In the fight against ticks;
• In the feeding of parrots with vitamin formulations to improve immunity.

More often for treatment of a parrot apply aversectin ointment which is harmless for a bird and does not cause at it allergic reactions. It should treat all affected skin areas and formed growths, avoiding getting the drug on mucous birds. Preheat the ointment on a water bath so that it becomes liquid, and apply a thin layer on the skin of the bird under the plumage with a thin brush or cotton swab. Do not lubricate healthy areas of the skin. Also, if there are too many foci of disease, treat the bird gradually - too much of the drug can cause an intoxication of the parrot organism.

Depending on the severity of the disease, treatment takes place according to different schemes. If the foci is too much, the ointment should be applied within a week every other day, and then every three days. At the end of treatment or at the initial stage of the disease, the bird should be treated every three or four days, depending on the severity of the disease.

To treat the affected skin near the eyes or beak, it is better to use petroleum jelly - it is completely harmless, even if it hits the cornea or the beak.

Applying drugs is best at the end of the day, when the bird is not so active.

In addition to treating the bird itself, it is necessary to process both the cage and all the objects in it. Discard all old litter and feed. If possible, replace all wooden items with new ones, and not only wash the cell itself and all the remaining things thoroughly, but also with boiling water.

In the future, keep the cage always clean and make sure that the bird does not come into contact with the infected individuals.