Birds are used more and more frequently as pets, since due to their characteristics they adapt perfectly to the lifestyle of many people who see these animals as the most suitable pets.
Obviously, like any animal that we decide to welcome into our home, birds need specific care, such as a sufficiently large cage, optimal hygiene conditions and an environment free of stressors.
Birds are susceptible to contracting many diseases and it is important that owners learn to recognize them in order to treat them in time, that's why in this article we show you the symptoms and treatment of plumage acariasis.
What is feather mites?
The term acariasis refers to an infection by mites (a type of parasite that is part of the arachnid arthropods), this infection it can be exogenous and cause external manifestations, as is the case of plumage acariasis, but it can also be internal, which will cause a more serious clinical picture, such as the one we can see in respiratory acariasis.
All birds can contract acariasis of the plumage, although depending on the type of bird, some species of mites or others will be more common, for example, pigeons are especially affected by the family of mites Sarcoptidae and Trombodidae instead, canaries are affected by the mite Enemidocoptes mutans.
The parasites that cause acariasis of the plumage do so through the subcutaneous area of the bird's skin, and while it is important to treat this disease, generally it is not serious for our pet, however, each case must be assessed individually.
Symptoms of feather mites
If our bird suffers from acariasis in the plumage, it will show it through the following symptoms:
- Loss of plumage
- Hardening of the skin of the fingers
- Sticky fluid on plumage
- Thin white crusts
- Nervousness
- Leg deformation
- The bird constantly tries to scratch itself
In the face of these symptoms, we should go to the vet as soon as possible so that he or she can prescribe a treatment.
Diagnosis and treatment of plumage acariasis
Generally, to diagnose this disease, the veterinarian will rely on the clinical manifestations, then prescribing a treatment that may include the following therapeutic measures, depending on each specific case:
- Baths with boric water
- Topical treatment with anti-scabies ointments
- Specific insecticides for orrithology
- Líndano (ecto parasiticide drug)
Remember that the veterinarian is the only person qualified to prescribe a treatment against plumage acariasis. You should also thoroughly clean the cage and all of your pet's accessories.
How to prevent feather mites?
To prevent plumage acariasis, as well as other diseases in birds, it is important to take into account the following advice:
