Ask Lafeber

Question:

May 28, 2021

Ask the Vet webinar – Mite treatments


Oral Ivermectin is used routinely for horses for parasite control. This doesn’t seem to be a practice for pet birds to control air sac and scaly mites.


Answer:

Hi Glenna,

It is not recommended to use anything for mite or parasite prevention if you have indoor birds. With the exception of air sac or scaly face mites, parasites and mites are extremely rare in indoor birds. The chemicals that are sold for prevention can end up making a bird sick or killing it. Ivemectin is very effective in treating scaly mites, however, there is a small percentage of birds that can die suddenly after Ivermectin treatment. While the chance if this happening is rare, many Vets are reluctant to use Ivermectin due to the slight risk since it involves sudden death. Dealing with air sac mites is complicated, but they are also treated with Ivermectin. There are other treatments, but for any mite or parasite, the bird should be diagnosed and treated by an Avian Vet.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda

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