Capillaria worms (hairworms) in parrots
Other names: Hairworms
Symptoms
- Diarrhea and sometimes blood
- Difficulty swallowing if in the crop
- Weight loss
How it spreads
Ingestion of eggs or an intermediate host (earthworms).
Diagnosis
Fecal flotation (eggs with two plugs).
Treatment
Dewormer under veterinary supervision. [Update 3] Merck (roundworms in ornamental birds in general — Capillaria is not mentioned by name): ivermectin 0.2 mg/kg or pyrantel 4.5 mg/kg or fenbendazole 20–50 mg/kg, repeated after 10–14 days; in hot weather and open aviaries, routine deworming every 6 months.
Prevention
Floor hygiene, preventing earthworms in aviaries.
Treatment and doses are decided by an avian vet after an exam; Zajel does not publish doses.
Other diseases
- Giardia
- Trichomonas
- Roundworms (ascarids)
- Tapeworms
- Scaly face and leg mite (Knemidocoptes)
- Air sac mites
- Red mite (bird mite)
- Coccidia and Cryptosporidium