Mite-infested Pets: Prevention, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

🐦 Pet Birds Infected with Bird/Biting Mites

Bird mites can cause severe distress to pet birds, leading to feather plucking, sores, and behavioral changes. Below are real experiences and effective treatment protocols from bird owners who have successfully battled these parasites.

📖 One Owner's Experience - Shirley's Story

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Cockatiel Case Study

Battling mite infection for several months

"I have been battling this with a cockatiel for a few months now. He plucked his back and had big sores. The vet put him on Metroconazole for 10 days once a month. It helped initially. The cockatiel always had black specs on the back, sometimes red, sometimes rashes. At times, I could see long hair red lines under the skin. A complete histopathy came back with severe dermatitis (and a $869.00 vet bill)."

Microscopic Discovery: Using specialty glasses and a microscope, the owner identified bugs with six legs and could see eggs (pearls) under the skin. The infection also spread to a lovebird, affecting the neck and lower back areas.

🧪 Effective Bird Mite Treatments

🍎 Ruth's Apple Cider Vinegar Protocol

"Since I started bathing them in Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV), no more mites, ever. 20 years of experience with only 2 mite outbreaks."

1

Bath Solution: Mix 1/2 water and 1/2 vinegar for soaking/spraying birds

2

Cage Cleaning: Use straight vinegar when washing cages daily

3

Vinegar Types: Apple Cider Vinegar works best, white vinegar also effective

Note: Be careful not to get vinegar in birds' eyes as it stings. Wine vinegar may stain light feathers but is harmless if ingested.

🏥 Shirley's Comprehensive Treatment Protocol

Environmental Management
  • • Thorough daily cleaning of bird room and aviaries
  • • Use food-grade diatomaceous earth in foraging areas
  • • Maintain 400 sq ft of clean living space
Dietary Supplements
  • • Add garlic to scrambled eggs
  • • Mix turmeric into seed mixes
  • • Provide fresh vegetables and fruits
  • • Include high-quality pellets and seeds
Treatment Products Used:
  • Sprays: 8 in 1 Bug and Mite Spray, Nystat MSP
  • Healing: Penicillin (from pet store fish department) for sores
  • Bathing: SULPH OXY DEX shampoo (dog shampoo recommended by avian vet)

Success Indicators: Birds stopped self-picking, sleep better, eat more, and show fewer black specs. Treatment requires 1-2 months of consistent daily effort.

⚠️ Important: All treatment options must be discussed with your veterinarian before implementation.

🐕 Mite-infected Dogs and Cats

Mite infestations in furry pets can cause intense discomfort and behavioral changes. Here are proven symptoms to watch for and effective treatment protocols.

🔍 Symptoms of Mite Infestation in Dogs

Behavioral Symptoms

  • 1. Constantly licking their feet
  • 2. Smelling their hair - putting nose deep into fur and taking deep breaths
  • 3. Excessive sneezing (sometimes 10 times in a row)
  • 4. Feverish, frantic type of itching
  • 5. Waking up from sleep biting at skin and spinning around

Physical Symptoms

  • 6. Hair loss in affected areas
  • 7. Head shaking and walking with tilted head
  • 8. Scratching even while sleeping
  • 9. Rubbing faces on corners of tables and walls

🌿 Natural Treatment Options

🫒 Non-Toxic Olive Oil Solution

Veterinarian-recommended protocol that makes fur less attractive to parasites.

1

Pour olive oil into a spray bottle

2

Spray 2 paper towels lightly with the oil

3

Rub the pet from head to toe with the oil-soaked towels

4

Repeat once a week until problem resolves

Success Report: Cat owner reports this simple, non-toxic solution worked effectively and kept the cat mite-free long-term.

🧂 Rita's Epsom Salt Protocol

Background: Rita spent over $7,000 on unsuccessful vet treatments before developing this effective protocol. Following this method, dogs have been able to sleep peacefully without itching for weeks.

1

Evening Shower: Give dog a quick shower every evening

2

Salt Solution: Pour 1 pint water + 1½ cups Epsom salt over dog slowly

3

Application: Let solution run into ears and work down to hair roots

4

Drying: Blow dry the dog thoroughly

5

Owner Care: Take shower and salt yourself to prevent mite transfer

Environmental Management:
  • • Soak dog's and owner's bedding and clothing nightly
  • • Clean environment thoroughly daily
  • • Use Cedarcide and Frontline spray (avoid around birds!)

💊 Medical Treatment Options

Benzoyl Peroxide (2.5%)

Effectiveness: Kills bacteria, mites, and lice on skin contact

Availability: Over-the-counter acne medication, some require prescription

⚠️ Caution: Can oxidize skin and may be tumor-promoting with long-term use. Supervision by health professional recommended.

Prescription Treatments

For Dogs:

Revolution (prescribed by veterinarian)

For Cats:

Revolution from vet or canadavet.com

Flea and tick spot treatments from retail stores

Application: Apply once, wait 2 weeks, then apply again

Information contained on this website is provided as general reference only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought.

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