Tick in a parrot: treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

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, the care of his pet falls on the shoulders of his owner, so he must carefully monitor the condition of the bird. Let's see what symptoms indicate that a parrot has a tick, and how to deal with these parasites.

Symptoms

You should be on your guard if you notice that the bird is constantly itching. The reasons for this can be very different: from a simple molt to a parasite on its feathers. It is quite easy to notice a tick, for this you do not need to have any special knowledge. You just need to look at the bird. You should be wary if the bird constantly itches, loses some of its plumage.

There are several stages of the disease, and, unfortunately, even an experienced specialist cannot identify the parasite at the initial stages. The incubation period lasts four months, during which it is impossible to identify a tick in parrots. At the second stage, the tick not only bothers the bird, but can also be seenhosts. The bird's skin begins to peel off, it constantly pecks at the dead particles of the epidermis. Small coral-like growths appear on areas of the skin that are free from plumage.

In the next stage of the disease, the growths are visible even without careful examination, and small areas of bare skin are also visible due to loss of plumage. The bird is lethargic and lifeless, refuses to feed. A parrot can reach the last stage of the disease only with especially inattentive owners who are not at all interested in their pet. The bird has almost no plumage, the joints are inflamed and deformed. The beak is curved, the skin is covered with growths. It is almost impossible to save the parrot in this case. Below is a photo of a parrot with a tick in the last stage of the disease.

Types of ticks in parrots

Signs of budgerigar mite infestation may vary depending on the species of parasite. You should be aware that there are several types of ticks that can infect your pet:

• scabby;
• feather;
• gamaso;
• tracheal.

How dangerous is each of these species and how to treat ticks in parrots?

Scabies mite

In a parrot infected with this parasite, yellow or light brown porous growths form on the skin, on the legs, around the beak and eyes, i.e. on all parts of the bodies on which there is no plumage, which over time can deform the beak and legs of the bird. He won't be able to eat properly and will eventually die. The onset of the diseasecharacterized by the fact that the parrot often itches, pulling out its feathers, does not show interest in food, becomes lethargic and inactive. The causes of the appearance of scabies mites in parrots are poor food, a bird feeder or drinker not washed in time, dirt in the cage.

This tick can also come from an already infected bird. With good care, he may not manifest himself in anything and not bother your pet. This type of tick is the most common in parrots.

Feather Mite

This type of tick, as the name implies, lives mainly on bird feathers, which are a breeding ground for them. When affected by this parasite, bird feathers become corroded and covered with small holes.

The parrot loses most of its plumage, constantly plucking its feathers. Ticks are the cause of complete baldness of the bird.

Gamasid mite

These ticks get to the parrot along with the earth or sand. They are clearly visible to the naked eye - they look like red swarming dots. They can live not only on the bird, but also in the litter or in the crevices of the house. They are most active at night. If you notice that at night your bird is restless, constantly itching and plucking plumage, you need to immediately examine both the parrot and its cage.

Tracheal mite

One of the most dangerous mites, as it affects the mucous membranes of the trachea. The bird may suffer from lack of appetite, respiratory failure,constantly coughing or sneezing. The parrot will not be able to take food and eventually die. Such a tick can only be detected by an experienced veterinarian, so if you have at least one of the signs, you should immediately contact the hospital.

Very often, a bird is infected even in a pet store, so when buying, you need to examine the parrot well. The scabies mite, with proper care, is not dangerous, but other species will have to be fought. Take an infected bird only if you are confident in your abilities. Here it should be said that a person does not need to be afraid of these parasites, they do not live on the skin of people, therefore they do not pose a threat.

Treatment

It is better not to self-medicate, but immediately go to a veterinary clinic as soon as you notice at least some signs that your parrot is tormented by parasites. With improperly selected self-preparations, the bird can cause much more harm and then correct the consequences for a long time.

Treatment of ticks in parrots should be started immediately when the first signs of the disease appear. As mentioned above, these parasites are not dangerous for humans, so you can fight them yourself. The treatment itself is:

• in the fight against ticks;
• in feeding a parrot with vitamin formulations to improve immunity.

Most often, aversectin ointment is used to treat a parrot, which is harmless to the bird and does not cause allergic reactions in it. She should treat all the affected areas of the skin and the resulting growths, avoiding the drug getting on the mucous membranes of the birds. Heat the ointment in a water bath so that it becomes liquid, and with a thin brush or cotton swab, apply it in a thin layer on the skin of the bird under the plumage. In no case do not lubricate he althy areas of the skin. Also, if there are too many foci of the disease, treat the bird gradually - too much of the drug can cause intoxication of the parrot's body.

Depending on the severity of the disease, treatment occurs according to various schemes. If there are too many foci, the ointment should be applied for a week every other day, and then every three days. At the end of treatment or at the initial stage of the disease, it is enough to treat the bird every three or four days, depending on the severity of the disease.

For the treatment of affected skin near the eyes or beak, it is better to use vaseline oil - it is completely harmless, even if it gets on the cornea or in the beak.

It is best to apply preparations at the end of the day when the bird is not so active.

In addition to the treatment of the bird itself, it is necessary to process the cage, as well as all the objects in it. Throw away all old bedding and food. If possible, replace all wooden objects with new ones, and not only thoroughly wash the cage itself and all remaining things, but also pour boiling water over them.

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