Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Selamectin in Budgerigars with Knemidokoptes Infection

摘要

Mites, parasitic arthropods, have been a plague to wild and domesticated birds, the people who own or care for them, and the veterinarians who treat them. Mites of the genus Knemidokoptes, also known as scaly leg and face mites, are common ectoparasites that have been known for decades as parasites in many species of birds including the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulates). Infections with Knemidokoptes species generally cause crusty, honeycomb-like lesions on the face, cere, beak, around the eyes, as well as the feet, legs, and vent. Severe, chronic cases can lead to overgrowth of the beak and nails, and a generalized form may also affect the feather follicles of the body, wings, and tail. Though not fatal, knemidokoptic infections can be disfiguring, aesthetically displeasing, and lead to severe pruritis and secondary bacterial infections. Veterinarians, aviculturists, and pet owners have experienced frustration in the past due to lack of consistently effective control measures. Some success in finding safe and effective treatments has been seen in recent years, but there are still no standardized treatments. The small size of pet budgerigars makes it difficult to use the oral or injectable treatments common in other species. The purpose of thisstudy was to investigate selamectin as a safe and effective alternative treatment for Knemidokoptes infections.