Do parrots have fleas? Most pet owners are familiar with flea infestations in dogs and cats that they or someone they know have had to deal with while caring for their pets. This disease is especially common in budgies.
Parrot owners are not immune to this problem, as these small, nasty insects can also infect birds. They live on the blood of their owners and can cause a huge number of problems for birds, especially young ones. They can also cause inconvenience to people and other pets that are nearby.
Routes of infection
A parrot can become infected from its relatives if it has been around infected people. Usually fleas quickly jump onto other birds and reproduce. Parasites can also appear due to dirty conditions in the pet’s cage or habitat.
Therefore, it is important to maintain cleanliness and constantly clean the cages, as well as your home. Since it will be pointless to wash the cage regularly if there is chaos in the house.
Cleaning the cage
Cage disinfection is the most important condition for preventing the reappearance of ectoparasites on birds. Before work, the parrot is transplanted to another room, and toys and other objects are removed from the cage. The old litter along with the garbage is removed and destroyed. The cell is washed, dried and treated with the following means:
- two percent solution of potassium permanganate;
- baking soda solution;
- turpentine.
Wiping the cage with a decoction of wormwood gives good results. If a female parrot is sitting on eggs, then sharp-smelling preparations should not be used for treatment. The cleaned cage is additionally treated with insecticides, placed on the balcony and dried in the sun or frozen for 2-3 hours.
At this time, the premises are disinfected: the floors are thoroughly washed and treated with insecticidal aerosols. After 2 hours, the room is ventilated and the cage is brought in. A sprig of tansy or wormwood is hung on its twigs, which repels fleas with its scent.
Symptoms of appearance
How can you tell if a parrot has fleas? Does your pet have them? There are several signs and actions that can help you determine whether your bird has parasites:
- Check the area around the eyes and beak . Fleas are very adept at hiding in the thick feathers of a bird; the easiest place to see the parasites is in the area around their eyes and beak, as they are not protected. In the first days of infection, insects are barely visible and have no effect on the health of the feathered companion. But you may notice white plaques on the beak that they may leave behind.
- Inspect the paws for scaly, irritated skin . They can also affect the bird's legs. Pests also suck blood from their paws. As a result, paws may become very dry, scaly, and have white deposits that crust over over time. They release metabolites that severely irritate the skin, leading to swelling and peeling or a rash.
- Pay attention to the anxiety and general condition of the bird . Parasites are more active at night, so your feathered friend may be very restless or irritated at night as a result of the bites. Your bird may also become restless or appear to be scratching its skin with the cage throughout the day as the fleas continue to move around.
- Look for feather damage or feather loss . Your bird may have noticeable damage to its feathers, may be missing feathers in some areas, or may have a pile of fallen feathers lying around in its cage. This is the result of excessive scratching.
- Examine the head . Use a flashlight to check the head and paws for crawling fleas throughout the day. These will be small moving black dots, which can sometimes be quite difficult to see.
Indirect signs of illness
You can assume that your budgie is infected based on a number of signs:
- Behavior changes. The pet becomes restless, rubs against the bars of the cage, and cleans its feathers. Because the bites hurt, the parrot screams.
- Some of the infected become lethargic and apathetic. Birds constantly sit with their heads hidden under their wings and breathe heavily.
- Appetite decreases. The parrot is losing weight quickly.
- The pet sleeps poorly, wakes up, and has difficulty falling asleep.
- The plumage becomes dull and feathers fall out.
How dangerous are fleas for a parrot?
Birds are susceptible to external parasites such as fleas, and if the infestation is not treated, it can develop to a large extent and lead to serious illness or death of the bird. Certain species, like parrots, are more likely to become infected.
Flea parasites feed on blood and can live and thrive in your pet's nest or cage and reproduce at a high rate. However, there are steps you can take to treat the infestation so it doesn't come back.
Self-examination of the bird
It is difficult to detect pests on your own. A person will not be able to see the bite marks. Although the dark brown bodies stand out against the bright plumage, fleas are rarely detected in the initial stages.
In order to promptly recognize the problem, parrots must be examined frequently.
Insects move quickly, and parrots rarely allow their owners to pick them up.
If you suspect the presence of parasites, it is recommended to carry out an inspection. You need to handle the bird with care so as not to harm it.
Some parrots refuse to be examined and peck their owners. In such a situation, it is recommended to contact a veterinary clinic.
Treatment options
Controlling these pests begins with identifying the source of the infestation. Due to the large number of fleas and their high rate of infestation, it is important to consult a pest control professional.
Use of specialized tools
Obtain a prescription for topical medications based on your bird's needs by visiting your veterinarian. The most effective flea medications must be dosed specifically for the weight and breed of your bird, so always use the prescribed flea medication.
Over-the-counter medications do not provide long-term treatment for the infestation and may not be effective for your bird. Your veterinarian will prescribe topical treatment or possibly injections to help with treatment.
You should also schedule follow-up appointments with your veterinarian to ensure that the ticks have been eradicated.
Avoid using flea control products. Controls are often found in pet stores and online and claim to prevent or control infestations. But they don't always help prevent infection, and many of these products contain paradichlorobenzene or mothballs, which can be harmful to your bird and can cause liver damage, respiratory problems, and an increased risk of certain types of cancer.
If it is not possible to contact a veterinarian, use the following means:
- Frontline spray;
- Ivomek;
- Vitomax;
- Biafar;
- Unostomosed.
The most effective remedy is Biafar. Products must be used exactly as directed. It is also necessary to clearly calculate the dosage of a particular medication, depending on the weight of the pet.
Processing the cage and equipment
You need to carefully process the cage and equipment. You can use various chemicals, but make sure that they do not cause allergies in your feathered friend.
Conventional heat treatment is suitable for treating cages and equipment, since most parasites and bacteria die under the influence of high temperatures.
Danger of parasites
Insects carry life-threatening diseases for parrots and people: typhoid, plague, tularemia, salmonellosis, hepatitis B and C, plague. They can also infect your pet with helminth eggs. Due to pests, the mental state of the bird deteriorates and anemia develops. The general condition becomes worse: the parrot becomes lethargic and lethargic, eats worse, and sleeps poorly.
A weakened immune system is also dangerous. Because of it, birds get sick more often and become vulnerable to infections. Diseases and their complications can cause death.
Fleas are also dangerous for people and other pets. Parasites can jump on them and bite painfully.
How to make baths
Most parrots love to bathe; this removes dirt from their feathers and skin and leads to cleansing. If you bathe your parrot regularly, you will notice a change in the appearance of its feathers. Baths help to cope with contamination of plumage and prevent the appearance of fleas.
Bathing is important for parrots whose skin is dry and itchy. It is also important that any contaminants are removed from the bird's feathers to prevent them from ingesting toxic substances when bathing.
There are bath products you can buy at your local pet store that contain ingredients like aloe, which is good for the skin. The simplest approach to bathing is to use plain, cool, clean water. Many store-bought products can be irritating to the eyes and contain unwanted fragrances.
Never use soap unless for a very good reason - for example, if the bird has accumulated oil on its feathers. Be sure to use a very mild glycerin soap and wash the feathers thoroughly. Wash only the body, and do not try to clean the inside. It is best to fill a plastic tub with warm water and soap up to the parrot's sternum.
Tips and tricks
- Try to protect and secure your pet as much as possible. Observe him and his behavior more often, although it is difficult to immediately understand what is bothering him, it is quite possible to do this. Seek help from specialists and undergo regular checkups with a veterinarian, even if you are confident in good health.
- An excellent folk way to repel fleas and other parasites is the use of wormwood. It is enough to simply place branches of this plant near the cage. The aroma it gives off is a deterrent. Ordinary ash will also help as a preventive action. It is used in bathtubs. Add a small amount to water, very simple but effective.
- If you already have parrots and want to buy another one, then do not rush to immediately put it in a common cage. Be sure to show it to the veterinarian and take the necessary actions according to the doctor’s recommendations.
- Remember that care and maintenance of your pet should be carried out regularly, then most problems can be avoided. If you notice parasites, do not hope that they will disappear as suddenly as they appeared; take action immediately. Delay will aggravate the situation and also cause complications and diseases that are dangerous to health.
Sources
- https://parazitdoma.ru/blohi/u-popugaev-volnistyh
- https://combat-dez.ru/byvaut-li-blohi-y-popygaev/
- https://popyga.ru/article/blohi-u-popugaev.html
- https://combat-dez.ru/kak-vyvesti-bloh-y-popygaev/
- https://KlopVred.ru/blohi/blohi-u-popugaev/
- https://vreditel-stoi.ru/blohi/u-popugaev.html
- https://kakatua.ru/volnistyi-popugai/blohi
- https://100popugaev.ru/volnistye/blohi
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Are they harmful to humans?
Many parrot owners, encountering this type of parasite for the first time, ask the most important question: are fleas transmitted from birds to humans? Usually they do not live on a person, but they can be transmitted and cause harm to him in the form of bites, which will soon begin to itch quite badly.
You should limit any physical contact with the bird and move the parrot's cage further away from the constant presence of you and other family members, especially from where you and your children sleep.
What could be the consequences?
Parasites will not remain on the body of a budgerigar for a long time. But even in a short period of time, fleas can cause great harm to a parrot, since they are carriers of a wide variety of diseases, such as tularemia (fever, inflammation of the lymph nodes) and pediculosis. With pediculosis, the skin where the parasites live is severely irritated. Fleas can weaken a pet’s immunity, causing anemia and leading to nervous disorders.
Prevention
You can order professional dry cleaning of your home if there are a huge number of pests or to prevent their occurrence. Some pest control companies are qualified to get rid of this type of insect. If the infestation is extensive, consider hiring an employee earlier to prevent the situation from getting worse.
To prevent the appearance of parasites in your bird, ensure cleanliness not only in the cage, but also in the room itself.
Also constantly monitor the bird's health and hygiene.
Next
DiseasesPrevention and treatment of lamination and cracks in the beak of a parrot
Preventive measures
- hygiene. Constantly, every 3-4 days, change the bedding in the cage, wash the tray with boiling water ;
- keep the drinking bowl and food bowl clean;
- If you purchased a new bird at a pet store, treat it with an insecticidal agent and place it in quarantine for a week, only after that add it to its relatives;
- Once a week, place a bath of sand mixed with antiparasitic powder in the parrot’s cage, let him bathe for health;
- Place sprigs of fresh wormwood around the cage. Fleas do not digest the wormwood aroma and will bypass your bird to distant lands .
Parrots are especially gentle and defenseless creatures that require careful and proper care. Remember this and take care of your bird!
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Removal methods
It is necessary to clarify that folk remedies, such as wormwood and ash, do a good job of repelling adult fleas from a parrot. However, the cage and the immediate environment of the bird, as we remember from the life cycle of the flea, are densely seeded with eggs. The larvae and pupae of these parasites. That is why it is impossible to do without treating with pesticides, and it is better to treat the entire house.
That is, the removal of bird fleas occurs in two stages: treatment of the bird and treatment of the living space itself.
When working with insecticides, do not forget about your own safety: wear gloves, a mask and goggles.
