Air Sac Mites in Birds Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Exotic Gouldian Finch bird issues and Treatment
Airsac mite (Sternostoma tracheacolum) is an internal parasite that lives in airways and airsacs to cause irritation and respiratory infection. Heavy infestations cause breathing difficulties, wheezing, open mouth breathing and death in fledglings and adult birds.
Airsac Mite Infection in Captive Gouldian Finches
Airsac mites are naturally occurring in wild Gouldian finches. Infection in captive flocks is most likely to occur during periods of physiological stress (i.e. during and immediately after the moult and during the breeding season) although airsac mite problems may occur at any time of the year.
The most harmful effects occur when severe symptoms of infection appear suddenly across the aviary. This sudden onset type of infection is dangerous because it produces a sudden influx of female (non-gravid/non-engorged) mites. Female mites are much larger than male mites and prefer to live in the upper respiratory tract - trachea, syrinx, nasal cavities, sinuses and mouth. Their presence in the syrinx is responsible for the typical symptoms of infection - gaped breathing and clicking sounds. The female is responsible for the spread of the disease to other birds. In mild ongoing infections male mites predominate so that symptoms are less pronounced as the males are small and largely live in the lung tissue. Symptoms are less obvious but include lack of vitality and moult problems.
Symptoms of Air Sac Mites in Birds
In mild cases, birds may not display any symptoms. In some, you may notice the following:
Your bird may be less vocal; in the case of canaries they may stop singing
Deteriorating feather quality
Your bird may appear fluffed up and less active
Should your bird have a more advanced case of air sac mites the following may be seen:
Sneezing
Coughing
Wheezing
Squeaking or high-pitched noises
Wet nostrils
Excessive saliva
Breathing that appears labored
Breathing with his mouth open
Tail bobbing
Weakness
Loss of weight
Clicking sounds when he is breathing
These symptoms will be more severe after participating in activity (for example, flying) and are usually worse in younger birds.
Types
Another parasite that can infect the respiratory system of birds is the protozoan parasite Sarcocystis falcatula. This parasite is found in parrots, especially from Australia, Asia and Africa. The parasite will cause symptoms like lethargy, weakness, difficulty coordinating muscles, anemia and respiratory difficulty in the early stages of infection.
Causes of Air Sac Mites in Birds
A bird can be infected with air sac mites when in close contact with another bird who is already infected with them. The air sac mites will be transmitted after coughing or sneezing releases a small amount of moisture with the mites into the air. Another method of transmission is through contaminated drinking water.
Diagnosis of Air Sac Mites in Birds
Air sac mites are hard to diagnose in a living bird. In some cases, the mites will be visible to the eye or can be seen by a microscope when the tissues are being examined after swabbing the bird’s trachea. Through transillumination of the trachea in a dark room, it may be possible to see the mites, which will look like dark spots that are the size of a pinhead. Using a small quantity of alcohol to wet the bird’s feathers over his trachea may help in being able to see the mites. It is important to note that just because the mites cannot be seen does not mean that they are not there. In some cases, diagnosis is made once the bird responds to treatment.
The symptoms that your bird experiences can point to other conditions, to include an upper respiratory infection caused by bacteria, poxvirus, Chlamydophila, Atoxoplasma, Trichomonas and Aspergillus.
Treatment of Air Sac Mites in Birds
Treatment is imperative for a bird that has air sac mites, as without it he will ultimately die; the mites will multiply which will block his air passages and lead to his suffocating. You will want to work closely with your veterinarian when it comes to treatment, as too little medication won’t effectively treat the condition and too much can lead to too many of the mites dying off at once, which can then lead to a blockage in the bird’s respiratory system.
Should there be a flock of birds, and one bird is infected with air sac mites, it is recommended that all be treated, as the others have likely been exposed to the mites.
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