Knowing the enemy
There is a wide variety of external parasites that can affect our canaries, but without a doubt, one of the most common are Losacaros.These omnipresent arachnids can be from a casual finding, to the person responsible for diseases more or less serious.
The passerines (songbirds like canaries, diamonds...), and also the parakeets (psittaciforms), often suffer the undesirable presence of mites, and although certain types of injuries alert us to their existence, in other cases they can go unnoticed for long periods of time, due to the particular cycle of some species.
To facilitate the task of recognizing the mites in the Canary Islands, we will divide them into three groups:
- Cnemidocoptes spp, elacaro responsible for cnemidocoptic mange.
- Dermanyssus spp, red mite.
- Sternostoma tracheacolum, mite of the trachea.
Cnemidocoptes spp, responsible for cnemidocoptic scabies
This is a type of mite in canaries that spends its entire life cycle in the bird (larva, nymph, adult), invading the epidermal follicles, where it feeds on the epithelial keratin and site chosen for nesting.Females do not lay eggs, it is a viviparous species that stops its larvae in the galleries that form after penetrating the cutaneous barrier, and completes the cycle in about 21-27 days.
The canary is infected by direct contact by stepping on infected scales that another canary has left on the hangers or bars of the cages.The only good news is that elacaro does not last long live outside the host.
Once elacaro is established in the Canary Islands, its activity and the release of metabolites to the follicle causes a chronic irritation and a production of solid exudate that will lead to hyperkeratosis , that is, abnormal cutaneous proliferation, in legs, beak, wax and sometimes on face and/or eyelids.That translates into u n crusty aspect of the affected areas.It is a slow process and the owners usually refer to the appearance of " leg scales ", if we are at the beginning of the process, and in some more serious cases they indicate that their Canarian "more fingers" have come out.It is not strange to find cutaneous proliferations in the form of elongated and whitish masses around the fingers of the animal, which can lead to confusion if one is not familiar with the subject.As data to take into account, These lesions are not usually accompanied by itching at the beginning, a fact that can delay the visit to the veterinarian.We can find canaries that live with this problem for months, being observed only in the final stages pruritus, lameness, or itching in the extremities (self-injury by the discomfort).
The observation of these characteristic formations in legs and/or beak, together with the medical history and a good response to treatment, usually leads to diagnosis.The scraping of the areas affects given for subsequent observation under the microscope, there is not always evidence of the presence of mites in very deep canaries, as well as more known mites, such as Sarcoptes in canids, so it is always necessary to perform a complete exploration of the patient, since in many occasions the appearance of parasitic diseases is related to an immunosuppression (lowering of defenses).In addition, it is essential to determine the precise weight to establish a correct treatment.
What is the treatment ?
The treatment against steacaro in the Canary Islands is based on systematic avermectins (ivermectin, moxidectin...), in doses that vary according to weight, age, and particular conditions of each individual, being necessary to repeat after about 14-20 days (estimated time of the delacaro cycle).A third dose should not be discarded.
The sprays and sprayers are not very effective because it is a plowed mite r , its location is too deep for them to take effect.Sometimes, if the bird is too weak, therapy can be applied directly to the affected areas, after removing the scabs.
As a complementary measure, adequate hygiene and disinfection of the cages, hangers and bars, a quality diet and the application on the legs of tea or even olive oil, can be very helpful.The oil is not toxic, softens the dermal lesions, and can penetrate when they are sent inside the follicle, "drowning" the next generation.It is, however, a help, never a single therapy.
Dermanyssus spp oacaro red
This type of canary mite in the Canary Islands is known as a red mite, because of its color.It is not very common to see them in the canaries that we keep as a company bird indoors, but in collectivities of birds, such as hatcheries , flyers, etc.It is particularly common in chicken coops, but parasites any bird.It mainly affects young people and has nocturnal customs , so that during the day we can check the animal thoroughly and not find it.During the night, he leaves his shelter (cracks, corners...) to feed.
As symptoms of Esteacaro in the Canary Islands, we can notice our birds that we keep outdoors or flyers nervous, with little lustrous plumage and even weak if the degree of parasitization is extreme and steal too much blood.Sometimes, we can detect visible dust on light surfaces.
In this case, sprays could be useful , applied from time to time in the animal (depending on the activity residual residue they have), and in the environment (very important, it is the place where elacaro lives), although therapy with systematic avermectins can also be useful.
The life cycle of this type of cancaros in the Canary Islands is fast , since it can be completed in 7 days under appropriate conditions.This data must be taken into account to apply the appropriate products every week on the affected animals and the environment, and not allow time for the start of a new cycle.
Fipronil spray or piperonil for birds is usually effective and safe, but we must remember that birds are much more sensitive than any other domestic animal to aerosols, sprays, fumes, etc., Therefore, proper advice on the concentration, frequency of application, and disinfection of the environment is essential to ensure that the process is carried out in a safe way.
Sternostoma tracheacolum oacaro of the trachea
Following the order of more and less frequent, we have in the last place of this short guide on canary hives in the Sternostoma , known as the trachea elacaro.In fact, affects to the airbags; lungs (place where it reproduces); trachea and syringe .It has a rapid life cycle like the Dermanyssus , it is estimated to be completed in about 7-9 days.
It is a parasitic disease that may be diagnosed in excess by some breeders and amateurs, since their symptoms are very similar to those of other pathologies, such as mycoplasmosis, chlamydiasis (respiratory diseases that also usually affect several specimens of a group).You want to know more about the most common diseases in the Canary Islands, do not miss our article.
The aphonia (loss of song) or changes in phonation (hoarse singing), the presence of sneezing, dry cough and Appearance of respiratory noises such as whistles are the most frequent symptoms of Esteacaro in the Canary Islands and, therefore, the signs that the owners can appreciate.Unlike the other diseases that occur with these same signs, the animal usually has good body condition, keep e l appetite and toilet pattern at first, but it can evolve into something more serious.Some specimens scratch the area of the beak and nostrils, or rub against the hangers due to the itching caused by these small invaders.
How is it diagnosed and what is its treatment?
To diagnose the presence of estosacaros in the Canaries we can opt for direct observation if we enjoy good eyesight and lighting, but sometimes we have to resort to making samples with swabs and microscopic observation.
Once diagnosed, their removal is relatively simple with systematic avermectins every 14 days , a minimum of two times.Local instillation is another option , but the area is complicated to access with a drop of the product to be applied.
Excessive proliferation of this parasite can cause death due to obstruction of the respiratory tract, although this type of Extreme cases usually occur only in animals without supervision, such as wild birds or very compromised animals, however, their presence can never be completely ruled out despite what has been said, since although we are sure that the canary comes from an expert breeder and methodically, many of our winged friends receive the daily visit of free birds in the hours they spend on the terrace, and it is not always easy to detect this parasite in the first months of life, when we usually take the canaries to our house.
Luckily, direct contact between birds is necessary for transmission (sneezing, coughing, and above all, the use of communal drinking troughs), so a brief contact with other birds in their recreational moments do not usually carry high risk in this case.
An adequate disinfection of all the elements of the cages, it is again essential to tackle the problem when it occurs, as well as the treatment of all the can Aryans affected, and close monitoring of those who still do not manifest symptoms but have shared habitat with the sick.
Remember that from Animals and Pets Online everything possible is done to keep you informed, but it will be the veterinarian who determines the best option to treat your canary, according to the particular conditions of each case.
This article is purely informative, at Animals and Pets Online we have no power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis.We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in the event that he presents any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Canarian mites-Symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our parasitic diseases section.
Comments
Post a Comment