Pet Birds Infected with Bird / Biting Mites
One Owner's Experience
Pet Bird Suffering from Bird Mites
Shirley has been battling a bird mite infection for some time now, and now would like to share her experience with people who may be faced with the same problem. Below is her input:
I have been battling this with a cockatiel for a few months now. He plucked his back and had big sores. The vet put him on Metroconozole for 10 days once a month. It helped initially. The cockatiel always had black specs on the back, sometimes red, sometimes rashes. At times, I could see long hair red lines under the skin.A complete histopathy came back with severe dermatitis (and a $869.00 vet bill).
I recently also found that my other pet bird, a lovebird, has the same symptoms. The affected areas are the neck and lower back.
Once I was able to pick one of these "dots" up and using specialty glasses (like vets have) and a microscope I was able to take a closer look. These bugs have horrid six legs and I can see the pearl under the skin which are the eggs.
Things that appear to help in eradicating this problem:
- The bird room and aviaries were thoroughly cleaned and are kept meticulously clean. I also am using Damascus earth - the eatable kind - In the foraging areas. My birds live in an inside bird room and also have their own patio totaling 400 feet of bird living area.
- I add garlic to scrambled eggs and turmeric to the seed mixes that are fed to my birds.
- I am using the 8 and 1 bug and mite spray, and Nystat msp.
- To heal the sores, I am using an old- fashioned antibiotic I got from pet store in fish department - penicillin.
- Vaseline applied to the skin appears to bring the bugs more to the surface.
- An avian vet recommended to bathe him in a shampoo used for dogs, namely: SULPH OXY DEX. After shampooing the birds, I have to let the shampoo on for about five minutes before rinsing/ drying the birds It is interesting to note that after applying the Sulph oxy dex shampoo, you can see the bugs literaly jump off the birds.
Please note that any treatment options need to be discussed with your vet before implementing them.
In treating my birds with chemicals, I break for a couple of days to give my birds time to rest before going back to the treatments (other than the daily cleaning and the non-toxic treatments, such as garlic and turmeric.
I do take the time and effort to provide my birds with the best possible diet, including fresh veggies and fruit. I bake birdie bread for them and also feed seeds, pellets, millet and tons of other food items from the health food store.
I am winning this war. My birds feel better. The specs are much less, but I have to be diligent every day in my efforts to eradicate them. This method is working, but I am still working on the eggs. So it's probably a month or two of staying on top of things.
So far I am noticing that my birds stopped picking themselves, sleep better, feel better, and eat more.
This experience is horrible - it's a nightmare. That is why I am taking the time to type this out for anyone who cares to think beyond "no hope" for this mite problem..
To me there is no such thing as it can't be cured ... I am winning this battle and I will keep you posted on if I win this battle or should I say: when I win it.
So here are some ideas and thoughts and actions to maybe help others.. I am also so open to other thoughts and theories, and your course of action. Thank you.
Shirley M. in Jacksonville Florida
Symptoms of a mite infestation in dogs:
1. Licking their feet ....constantly.
2. Smelling their hair...they start putting their noses deep down into their hair and taking deep breaths.
3. Sneezing......some times 10 times in a row.
4. Hair loss
5. Itching....a feverish, frantic type of itching.
6. Waking up from sound sleep biting at their skin and spinning around.
7. Shaking of the head...walking with head tilted.
8. Scratching even while they sleep.
9. Rubbing their faces on the corners of tables and walls.Rita's background and recommendation pertaining to dogs infested with mites / scabies. She herself had two dogs infected years ago and spent over $7,000 on vet treatments without any relief. In the end, the two dogs had to be put down as the vet was unable to help them. She is now considered a "veteran" in fighting the biting mites and without much assistance from the medical community has basically found a way to heal herself using Epsom Salt. She is now helpful in walking people through the process of ridding themselves and their pets from the biting mites. Following she is advising someone with a dog who is infected with biting mites. The news now is that, following the below protocol, the dog has been able to sleep in peace without itching for several weeks now.
The following protocol was followed:
- Give the dog a quick shower every evening and very slowly pour a pint of water with 1 1/2 cups of Epsom salt over the dog.
- Let it run down into the ears and work it down into the roots of the hair.
- Blow dry the dog
- Get into the shower and salt yourself down to get rid of any mites.
- As these mites hide in fabric, it's necessary to soak the dog's and owner's bedding, clothing every night.
- The environment needs to be thoroughly cleaned daily.
- Products that have been recommended:
- Cedarcide and Frontline spray
Another dog owner recommended for dogs to be placed on Revolution (prescribed by your vet).
Cats: Get some "Revolution" from a vet or from canadavet.com. Cat owners report this to be effective against mites as well as fleas. Others purchased flea and tick spot for cats at their local Walmarts or other stores. They recommend applying it once and then wait 2 weeks and apply again.
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with the AvianWeb visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the AvianWeb Webmaster.
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