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If Knemidocoptes infection is suspected in your bird, a skin scraping of the affected areas will be examined under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis. In most cases, the mites will be clearly visible under magnification. If no mites are evident, a biopsy or tissue sample may be sent to an outside lab for histologic examination. All birds confirmed with Knemidocoptiasis, as well as birds that have had direct contact with symptomatic birds, should be immediately isolated. The drug of choice for treatment of Knemidocoptes infection is ivermectin, an antiparasitic. Most birds will receive an initial dose of ivermectin (orally, topically or injected) followed by a second dose 10 14 days later; however, canaries and finches often require longer treatment to clear the infection. While not as popular, moxidectin has also been found to effectively resolve Knemidocoptes infestations. Owners should not attempt to treat birds on their own as both of these drugs can be highly toxic if not administered appropriately. Additional treatments of infected birds include softening the crusts with non-toxic, water-soluble emollients (aloe vera) to facilitate removal. When working around the face of the bird, care should be taken to keep the nares clear of the exudate and aloe vera. Birds with extreme infection, including open sores, also benefit from treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs (meloxicam). Diets of affected birds should be evaluated for nutritional content, as well as vitamin A availability, and adjusted if needed.
References: Wade, Laura (2006). Knemidocoptiasis in birds. Retrieved 10/15/13 from http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/vetmed/ article/articleDetail.jsp?id=392958 Natural Way to Rid Chickens of Lice and Mites (2012). Retrieved 10/17/13 from http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/ 2012/12/natural-way-to-rid-chickens-of-lice.html
What is Knemidocoptes?
Birds kept as pets, or on urban farms, may be diagnosed with a condition commonly known as scaly leg and face mites. This skin infection is caused by the Knemidocoptes (nmi-d-koptz) species of mite. There are several different species of Knemidocoptes mites, all of which affect only birds. Knemidocoptes are known to parasitize galliform (chickens and turkeys), passerine (finches and canaries), and psittacine birds (parrots, macaws, budgerigars and cockatiels), but may also occur in pisiforms (toucans), anseriforms (ducks, geese and swans), and raptors (hawks, eagles and owls). While not transmissible to humans, an infestation of Knemidocoptes mites is similar to sarcoptic dermatitis (mange) in dogs.
coptes janssensi. Primarily psittacine birds are affected by K. pilae. The parrots most susceptible to infection are species native to Pacific waters -- budgerigars, Alexandrine and ringnecked parrots, scarlet-chested parakeets, cockatiels, cockatoos (especially palm and sulphur-crested cockatoos), and yellow-fronted Kakarikis but it has also been found in several South American parrots including green-winged macaws and Amazons. A different mite, K. mutans, targets domestic fowl such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, as well as several raptor species. P. janssensi has only been found in lovebirds.
Knemidocoptes laevis is a depluming mite that affects only pigeons; while Neocnemidocoptes gallinae is less discriminatory, affecting geese, pigeons, pheasants, and chickens.
Raptors typically exhibit hyperkeratosis (extreme scalyness) of the feet; while symptoms in poultry include raised scales on the legs, severe weight loss, decreased egg production, and self-removal of feathers due to the severe itching caused by the mites. Left untreated, knemidocoptic dermatitis can result in malformation of the beak, feet, and toes. Birds are then predisposed to developing bacterial and fungal infections of the skin.
Depluming Mites
Three species of mites are known to infect primarily the feathers in birds, causing extensive feather damage and loss. Knemidocoptes gallinae is most active in the spring and summer months, burrowing into the basal shafts and f feathers of chickens, pigeons, and pheasants.