Knemidokoptesräude

Schnabelräude in a budgie

As Knemidokoptesräude (Syn. Schnabelräude, Beak sponge, Vogelräude, scabies, Kalkbeinräude) describes a disease in birds which by mites of the genus Knemidokoptes is caused.

etiology

Knemidokoptes mites cause this disease. The beak mange of parrots is caused by Knemidokoptes pilae , the limestone mange of pigeons and songbirds by Knemidokoptes mutans or Knemidokoptes jamaicensis . Knemidokoptes mutans is also causative agent of Kalkbeinräude in chickens , turkeys , guinea fowl and wild game birds .

transmission

A reservoir of pathogens is formed by latently infected birds in breeding facilities as well as wild birds. Infection can occur through direct contact with fallen, mite-containing corneal bark or through close contact between infected breeding birds and their nestlings during beak feeding ( K. pilae ).

Pathogenesis

The pathogen can be present in infected animals for months or years without the appearance of symptoms. Stress factors such as too many animals, lack of food or tumors then lead to the development of the typical spongy corneal changes ( hyperkeratosis ) or severe beak deformations. K. pilae mainly leads to changes in the beak angle, K. mutans mainly in the crevices between the toes.

Symptoms

Spongy, porous, lime-gray, white or yellowish colored corneal growths develop. The changes caused by K. mutans are limited to the skin of the hind limbs. Hyperkeratoses caused by K. pilae typically occur in the beak and eye region, but also in other areas that are touched by the beak during personal hygiene ( rump gland , cloacal area , wing tips).

diagnosis

The typical skin growths in the corresponding areas are pathognomonic . For microscopic detection of the pathogen, samples (scrapings) are taken from the changed areas and soaked in 10% potassium hydroxide solution.

Therapy and prophylaxis

Affected birds and contact animals are treated with ivermectin ( spot-on or systemic). To remove the hyperkeratosis, 5% salicylic acid solution is applied locally. Surgical correction is necessary on deformed beaks.

Hens with limestone legs should never be used for hatching and rearing. If the crust is already strong, it should be softened beforehand with soap or glycerine so that the preparation can reach the mites and work.

New animals should be thoroughly examined for typical skin changes that already exist and, if necessary, treated prophylactically.

Literature and evidence

N. Kummerfeld: Mange mites. In: EF Kaleta, M.-E. Krautwald-Junghans (Ed.): Compendium of the ornamental bird diseases. Verlag Schlütersche, Hannover 1999, ISBN 3-87706-535-X , pp. 210-212.

↑ Wieland Beck, Nikola Pantchev: Practical Parasitology in Pet Animals . Small mammals - birds - reptiles - bees. 2nd, revised and expanded edition. Schlütersche, Hannover 2014, ISBN 978-3-8426-8518-5 ( Kalkbeinräude der Hühnervögel ( Knemidokoptes mutans ) in the Google book search [accessed on November 17, 2015]).
^ Limestone mites , in: Fritz Schöne, Frank Peschke: Practice of hen and bantam breeding. Sebnitz 2004, ISBN 3-9809850-0-8 , p. 111.

[1] Wieland Beck, Nikola Pantchev: Practical Parasitology in Pet Animals . Small mammals - birds - reptiles - bees. 2nd, revised and expanded edition. Schlütersche, Hannover 2014, ISBN 978-3-8426-8518-5 ( Kalkbeinräude der Hühnervögel ( Knemidokoptes mutans ) in the Google book search [accessed on November 17, 2015]).

[2] Limestone mites , in: Fritz Schöne, Frank Peschke: Practice of hen and bantam breeding. Sebnitz 2004, ISBN 3-9809850-0-8 , p. 111.