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

🐦 Pet Birds Infected with Bird / Biting Mites

One Owner's Experience

Shirley has been battling a bird mite infection for some time now, and shares her experience:

"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 Metroconozole 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).

I recently also found that my other pet bird, a lovebird, has the same symptoms. The affected areas are the neck and lower back.

✅ Things that appear to help in eradicating this problem:

Ruth's Apple Cider Vinegar Solution:

"I give them a good soaking in 1/2 and 1/2 water and vinegar. They will smell funny for a few days, but it seems to help a lot. I also always use straight vinegar when washing cages, daily. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) works best but white works as well."

Shirley's Multi-Step Protocol:

  • Thorough cleaning with Damascus earth (food grade) in foraging areas
  • Adding garlic to scrambled eggs and turmeric to seed mixes
  • Using 8-in-1 bug and mite spray, and Nystat msp
  • Treating sores with penicillin from pet store fish department
  • Bathing birds in SULPH OXY DEX shampoo (leave on for 5 minutes)

⚠️ Please note: Any treatment options need to be discussed with your vet before implementing them.

🐕 Mite-infected Furry Pets (Dogs & Cats)

Symptoms of Mite Infestation in Dogs:

  • •Constantly licking their feet
  • •Smelling their hair deeply
  • •Excessive sneezing (10 times in a row)
  • •Hair loss
  • •Feverish, frantic itching
  • •Waking from sleep to bite at skin
  • •Head shaking and tilting
  • •Scratching while sleeping
  • •Rubbing faces on furniture corners

🫒 Non-Toxic Olive Oil Solution

A vet-recommended protocol:

  1. Pour olive oil into spray bottle
  2. Spray 2 paper towels lightly
  3. Rub pet from head to toe with oiled towels
  4. Repeat once weekly until resolved

The olive oil makes fur less attractive to parasites.

🧂 Epsom Salt Protocol

Rita's proven method:

  • Daily shower with 1.5 cups Epsom salt in 1 pint water
  • Work solution into hair roots and ears
  • Blow dry thoroughly
  • Clean environment daily
  • Soak all bedding and clothing nightly

Other Effective Treatments:

Benzoyl Peroxide (2.5%):

Kills bacteria, mites, and lice. Available over-the-counter as acne medication.

Revolution (Prescription):

Effective against mites and fleas for both dogs and cats.

⚠️ Important Notice

This information is provided as general reference only. For application to specific circumstances, professional veterinary advice should be sought. Always consult with your veterinarian before starting any treatment protocol.