How should I treat mange mites in budgerigars? - briefly
Use a veterinarian‑prescribed oral or injectable ivermectin protocol to eliminate the mites, and treat any secondary infections with appropriate antibiotics or anti‑inflammatories. Clean and disinfect the cage, perches, and feeding accessories thoroughly to prevent reinfestation.
How should I treat mange mites in budgerigars? - in detail
Mange in budgerigars is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei mites that burrow into the skin, producing intense itching, feather loss, and crusted lesions. Prompt, systematic treatment is essential to eliminate the parasite and prevent reinfestation.
First, confirm the diagnosis by examining affected birds under a magnifying lens or microscope. Look for burrows, tiny white specks, and scaly patches. Collect skin scrapings and send them to a veterinary laboratory if the identification is uncertain.
Pharmacologic control
- Ivermectin: Administer subcutaneous injection at 0.2 mg/kg once, repeat after 7 days. For birds that cannot tolerate injection, oral preparation diluted in water may be used at 0.2 mg/kg, repeated after 7 days.
- Selamectin: Apply a 0.5 mg/kg dose topically to the skin, repeat after 5 days. Ensure the product is labeled for avian use.
- Moxidectin: Use a 0.2 mg/kg oral dose, repeat after 7 days. This drug is effective against resistant mite strains.
- Lime‑sulfur dip: Prepare a 2 % solution, dip the bird for 5 minutes, then rinse with clean water. Perform two treatments, 7 days apart, to target newly hatched mites.
Environmental sanitation
- Remove all perches, toys, and nesting material; wash them in hot water (≥ 60 °C) or replace them.
- Clean the cage with a diluted bleach solution (1 % sodium hypochlorite), rinse thoroughly, and allow it to dry completely.
- Treat the surrounding area with a residual acaricide approved for birds, following label instructions.
- Maintain low humidity (40‑50 %) and good ventilation to discourage mite survival.
Supportive care
- Provide a balanced diet enriched with vitamins A and E to aid skin regeneration.
- Offer water with electrolytes if the bird shows signs of dehydration.
- Monitor for secondary bacterial infections; administer an appropriate antibiotic if needed.
Follow‑up
- Re‑examine the bird 10 days after the final medication dose. Absence of new lesions and normal feather growth indicate successful eradication.
- Conduct a second skin‑scraping to confirm that mites are no longer present.
- Schedule monthly checks for at least three months to detect any recurrence early.
Adhering to this protocol, combining proven antiparasitic agents with rigorous cage hygiene and supportive nutrition, maximizes the chance of complete recovery and prevents future outbreaks.