Aviary Maintenance – Parasite control

12 Sep Aviary Maintenance – Parasite control

Aviary birds can acquire parasite infestations. The most likely cause of this is environmental conditions. As infestation can become life threatening if left unnoticed or untreated, it is important to be aware of the symptoms to look out for.

• • Never try to self-diagnose or treat any animal without professional advice and always take your birds to an avian vet.
  • A physical (and in some cases an internal) examination is required to diagnose and address the severity of the infestation.
  • Avoid using over the counter treatments (unless advised to do so by your avian vet) and do not attempt to self- treat with controlled drugs as an incorrect dose can have negative and even fatal results.
  • The birds environment will need to be thoroughly disinfected with F10 or similar bird safe disinfectant and treated for the infestation.
  • Aviaries and perches should be routinely inspected as mites can burrow into the wood.
  • All food and water sources should be cleaned and replaced regularly (at least twice a day).

Lice

Bird lice (Mallophaga), more colloquially known as chewing lice are generally uncommon, however, aviary mesh can act as a transferal point.

Once on a host the lice quickly duplicate and lay eggs along the shafts of feathers. The eggs hatch and mature into lice with chewing mouthparts, which feed off the birds feathers, skin and sometimes blood. When contracted in large numbers the lice can become extremely irritating to the bird. Juvenile birds or birds in poor health are more prone to harm as the lice can cause severe anaemia in the host and in some instances death,

Symptoms to look out for include:

• • • Excessive itching/preening.
    • Feather ruffling,
    • Feather damage and discoloration.
    • Restless/aggravated behaviours.
    • In some instances of infestation, the lice may be seen crawling on your bird.

If an infestation is suspected, consult an avian vet immediately. The vet will assess the presenting symptoms and perform a physical examination to ascertain the presence of lice or eggs. Treatment is relatively straight forward but home or shop bought remedies should never be attempted. Most over the counter remedies are ineffective and can be harmful to the parrot. The vet will prescribe an effective delousing treatment, and in some instances additional supportive care. Unfortunately, if one bird has lice it is most likely the whole flock have lice too and the remaining flock will need to be treated. Your aviary will need to be thoroughly disinfected. If you have indoor birds too, make sure you follow strict quarantine / barrier controls. Consult a veterinarian as to the most appropriate form of disinfectant.

Mites

Currently there are three types of mites aviary owners should be vigilant against: scaly mites, skin & feather mites, and air sac mites.

Scaly Mites

Scaly mites are categorised into two species:

• • • Scaly face mites (Knemidokoptes pilae), commonly known as budgie mites due to their tendency to affect budgerigars, these mites target the face, burrowing into the un-feathered areas such as above the beak and eye area. They remain there for life unless treated.
    • Scaly leg mites (Knemidocoptes mutans)

Symptoms of infestation may include:

• • • Itching may present itself.
    • A honeycombed crust appears at the corners of the birds beak.
    • A white chalky crust affecting the eye area, nares and beak.
    • Scaly grey or white crusty lesions on your birds legs and feet.
    • Misshapen beak, toes, feet or nails.
    • Feather loss and /or feather plucking.
    • Skin infections
    • Long term infestation can cause your bird to physically feel unwell.

Unfortunately, once physical symptoms present themselves the mite infestation will already be quite advanced, making it difficult but not impossible to treat. Therefore, look out for any changes in your birds behaviour that may indicate a change in health status. As mites are usually contracted due to the bird being deficient in vitamin A, ensuring your birds eat a varied, healthy diet with lots of dark green vegetables can help to build resistance. Adding a recommended vitamin supplement, such as Ace-High to the water can help.

Skin and Feather Mites

Skin and feather mites or red mites are more commonly seen in chickens, however they can affect birds in outdoor aviaries. Red mites are almost invisible to the naked eye and are able to live off the host in cracks and crevices making them easily transmissible via the environment.

Symptoms of infestation may include:

• • • Restlessness (especially during the night when the mites are active).
    • Mite eggs seen in the feathers.
    • Scratching and feather plucking.
    • Anaemia including symptoms associated such as fatigue and weakness.
    • Changes in behaviour may also indicate an infestation.

If left untreated red mites can be fatal to your bird. The bird must be taken to an avian vet immediately where they will perform a physical examination to identify the mites. Once diagnosed treatment is straight forward and can be given in a variety of forms such as prescribed sprays, or drops in your birds’ water. If your bird has been suffering from red mites for a period of time, they may need additional supportive treatment.

Air Sac Mites

Air sac mites are internal parasites that situate themselves in the trachea, lungs, voice box and air sacs of the bird – dependent on the life stage of the mite. Aviary birds can contract the mites from infected wild birds through coughing or sneezing or through contaminated drinking water.

As the mites aren’t visible through visible examination, symptoms are what usually indicate an infestation.

Symptoms may include:

• • • Coughing.
    • Sneezing.
    • Wheezing.
    • Squeaking or high-pitched noises.
    • Nare discharge.
    • Excessive saliva.
    • Laboured open beaked breathing.
    • Tail bobbing.
    • Weakness.
    • Weight loss.
    • Clicking sound when breathing.

If left untreated air sac mites can be fatal to the bird, as once the mites begin to multiply the birds air ways will become blocked and the bird will suffocate. Treatment CAN NOT be done at home as the bird will be severely stressed and unwell from the symptoms. During treatment, the bird should be kept in a stress-free environment, and should be prevented from expending too much energy. Therefore keep perches low and close together and environment enriched, but not allowing for extreme play. You will need to work in close relation with your avian vet to treat the infestation.

Worms

Of all the infestations Roundworms are the most relatively common found, with those kept in Aviary flocks being more susceptible due to the Roundwords eggs being easily transmissible. Adult roundworms lay their eggs inside an infected bird and the eggs are passed through the faeces where they can incubate. Birds are then able to become infected by either standing on the faeces and ingesting them when eating, taken from the ground or through ingesting a host (insect).

Common symptoms of infestation include:

• • • Weakness.
    • Diarrhoea or dark tar like faeces containing blood.
    • Loss of appetite leading to weight loss.
    • Coughing.
    • Open mouthed breathing and/or difficulty breathing.
    • Vomiting or increased regurgitation.
    • Poor feather quality.
    • Increased vocalization.
    • Depression.
    • Head shaking.

If symptoms are left unnoticed roundworms can lead to serious illnesses including:

• • • Growth abnormalities.
    • Loss of body movement control.
    • Masses on legs and feet.
    • Death.

If any symptoms present, it is crucial you take your bird to an avian vet for a full examination. If diagnosed with a roundworm infection your vet will prescribe a dewomer that is appropriate for the type of roundworm infecting your bird. When caught early, treatment is relatively straightforward. However, if left unchecked roundworm can cause permanent damage to your birds internal tissue. Your bird may also need supportive treatment alongside deworming. If the bird lives in a flock all birds should be tested and treated as worms will transmit rapidly. All food and water sources should be cleaned thoroughly, and a complete disinfection of the enclosure is necessary using an appropriate vet recommended disinfectant.

Avian Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae. The parasites primary host is the domestic pigeon but infects many species of bird worldwide. The source of transmission is through drinking water being shared by an infected pigeon. Transmission does not occur faecal droppings.

Symptoms of infection may include*:

• • • Loss off or decreased appetite,
    • Anorexia.
    • Tongue ulcers, erosions, vesicles, papules or sores.
    • Ataxia (neurological / balance  issues)
    • Lack of growth or weight gain in young.
    • Neck swelling.
    • Tongue swelling, mass in mouth.
    • Depression or lethargy.

As the majority of symptoms are life threatening treatment must be administered immediately. Your avian vet will administer orally or via the birds food or water an Antiprotozoal medication for at least 3 days to supress the infection. To prevent infection, ensure aviary birds do not have access to drinking water that can be accessed by pigeons or other wild birds. All water should come from a secure source.

Other common parasites

Unfortunately, there are numerous other parasites that may infect your aviary birds including:

• • • Aspergillosis.
    • Giardia- zoonotic disease.
    • Sarcocystis.

PREVENTION is the best TREATMENT

Always maintain good standards of cleanliness and hygiene in the aviary along with regular handwashing after handling your birds.
A solid roofed aviary, is an excellent form of prevention.

 

Image of Budgie with Scaly Face: By Uwe Gille – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37109065