Scaly leg edit

Scaly leg or knemidokoptic mange is a subcategory of the Scaly foot disease. This is a bird ailment that can affect many different types of birds and poultry. This is caused by mites categorized as Knemidokoptes that burrow in the bird's legs and cause dermatitis and lesions. These lesions should not be pulled out or removed manually as it could harm your bird's leg tissue. The lesions will eventually fall off and heal on their own.

Causes edit

Knemidokoptes in Scaly leg are mites that burrow into the foot and leg of the infected bird. The causes of the mites are usually from other animals that carry the mites. Initially introduced by wild birds, rodents or new flock members.^[1] The mites will continue to lay eggs and cause irritation through not only their life, but their larva as well. If untreated- the bird will be semi-/fully impaired.

Symptoms edit

Scaly leg symptoms include:

Rough, upturned scales on legs
Lesions and dermatitis on legs
Odd walking patterns and limping

Treatments edit

Prevention and control of the mites can be in a few different cures. For at-home cures, dip and soak chicken legs in comfortable, warm water with chicken-safe soap. Gently dry and add Petroleum jelly such as Vaseline on inflamed hindlimbs. The warm water will soften the inflammation and the soap will sanitize the infection. Adding Petroleum jelly will suffocate the mites nesting in the bird's skin.

If the first option does not work, then using the next treatment option is beneficial. The treatment starts with dipping the legs into the gasoline and letting them air dry on the first day. Once dry, you slather the affected legs and feet with the A&D ointment helping them to heal. The gasoline kills off the mites.^[2] The gasoline can possibly turn the legs of the bird red and inflamed, and the bird may act as if it is hurt. They will make a quick recovery and this should not be alarming.

For serious cases of Scaly Leg Mite, a prescribed medication used specifically to treat parasitic infestations is given orally or by injection. This is normally prescribed by a veterinarian.^[2] Medications like Ivermectin can be prescribed by a Veterinarian and given to the infected bird. Ivermectin is the clinical name for an anti-parasitic drug used to treat a wide range of tropical diseases.^[3] Ivermectin also can have side effects that should be researched based on the bird's medical history.

Other less common treatments are elaborated as word-of-mouth and are usually less widely known. The three more common treatments have been fact checked and work for most cases.

Prevention edit

Veterinarians typically use an antiparasitic drug to kill the microscopic mites. You should also disinfect your bird's cage, perches, bowls, and toys with soap and water or a common household cleaner to prevent re-infection.^[4]

Additionally, if the infected bird is kept in a barn or coop, using sand instead of hay is a recommendable alternative. Mites thrive in hay, and using sand is much like using cat litter or Litter box for birds. Sand is easy to clean up, and does not hide mites in discreet places.

Etymology edit

Knemidocoptic mange [neʺmĭ-do-kopʹtik mānj]

References edit

^ "Scaly Leg | Hen Health | British Hen Welfare Trust". Retrieved 2022-12-02.
^ ^a ^b Hudson, Joseph (2020-03-27). "Scaly Leg Mites in Chickens: Cause, Treatment and Prevention". Chicken Scratch | The Place for Chicken Breeds, Raising Tips. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
^ birdvet (2021-03-12). "Ivermectin for Birds – What Is Ivermectin Used For?". AvianVets.org. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
^ "Knemidokoptic Mange or Scaly Leg and Face Disease in Birds | VCA Animal Hospital". Vca. Retrieved 2022-12-02.

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