AIR SAC MITES : Air Sac Mites are truly microscopic. You cannot see them even with a powerful magnifying glass. You will need a microscope of at least 100x to see them. Furthermore, air-sac mites cannot be found on the outside of the bird, nor in its faeces or saliva generally. If the bird sneezes, (which may be a symptom if its recurrent?) -some may be forcefully expelled out of the lungs into the air. Air-sac mites do not cause any external change in appearance. They infest the alveoli, (the air-sacs of the lungs), where oxygen enters the blood and CO2 exits. The only symptom will be sneezing, laboured breathing, gargled song (cocks), and clicking sounds during the night. If you suspect air sac mites, hold the bird up to your ear and listen for a clicking sound This is the easiest way to detect air sac mites. In some cases, the birds beak may have a calcified look about them during advanced infestation, but this is neither a common indicator nor uniquely associated with air-sac mite but this is neither a common indicator nor uniquely associated with air-sac mite TREATMENT : Ivermectin - a spot-on Systemic treatment which kills Internal and External Parasites. INTERNAL : Worms, Air Sac Mites EXTERNAL : Red Mite, Feather mites, Lice etc., SYSTEMIC : This means that it can be absorbed thru the skin into the blood stream and if You dont wear protective rubber gloves - it will be absorbed thru YOUR SKIN and into Your Bloodstream also. This can give you a very unpleasant taste in your mouth - some people have quite a nasty reaction to the effects and it can make you feel pretty ill. Once the Air Sac Mites have entered the respiratory system the need for Ivermectin Spot-on is apparent. Hold the bird in your one hand and either blow the feathers to the side or wet the feathers of the neck under the bill and comb them to the sides exposing the trachea or windpipe. Sometimes upon careful inspection and the use of a light source on the side of the neck you may even see the mites as tiny black spots under the skin and located along the trachea, (depending on how bad the infestation). Place a healthy drop of Ivermectin directly upon this area and hold the bird until the Ivermectin has absorbed. Do this once every two weeks for a total of three treatments in infected birds. This will help to kill mites in the larva, and egg stage, that may not be affected by the first application. Placing Ivermectin under the wing or back of the head will only slow the eradication process down as it has to absorb into the blood stream and then be carried to the area of infestation. Prepare a clean cage (clean thoroughly with vinegar and water and left in the sun to dry) Ivermectin to be used for birds should have 0.1% sterile solution obtainable from your Vet
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 09:22:04 +0000
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