Knemidocoptic mange caused by Knemidokoptes sp. can be considered an important disease in the birds. The purpose of this paper is to describe the occurrence and treatments of pet birds cared at the Wild Animals Sector of the Veterinary Medicine College - Universidade Federal Fluminense, with emphasis on the species most commonly affected and the efficiency of its treatment. Between January 2000 and June 2006, 374 birds were cared and 25 cases of ectoparasitosis were diagnosed. The prevalence of knemidocoptic mange was of 68% (n= 17). Cutaneous lesions on the feet and legs occurred in 14 cases (82.4%). The Passeriformes (Serinus canarius) were most affected with 14 cases (82.4%), followed by three cases (17.7%) in Psittaciformes (Melopsittacus undulatus). Hyperkeratotic skin lesions with deformity of digits were observed. The skin scraping examination confirmed the diagnosis of knemidocoptic mange. The treatment of knemidocoptic mange on 15 birds among Passeriformes and Psittaciformes, was done with sulphide carbonate 3g 100mg-1 and potassium carbonate 3g 100mg-1 applied to them every other day, for two weeks. Only two patients (11.8%) were treated with topical application of benzyl benzoate solution 25% in the same frequency and duration of the previous treatment. Mineral oil 100% was used twice a day directly on the lesions alternating with the other treatments. Three patients showed severe knemidocoptic lesions that were associated with a single dose (0.06ml) of ivermectin 1% pour on. The patients submitted to these treatments reached clinical cure in 100% of the cases.
knemidocoptic mange; Knemidokoptes sp.; birds company
