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Advanced Veterinary Care Farmington, Connecticut
Advanced Veterinary Care 376 Scott Swamp Road Route 6 (Next to Mama Luke's & East of Wal*Mart) Farmington, CT, 06032 Dr. Nicole Sylvestre, DVM Dr. Bridget Kviten, DVM Dr. Chelsea Marko, DVM
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Parasites in Birds
Parasites (either intestinal or external) are not commonly diagnosed in psittacines (parrot species). Galliformes (poultry) and Columbiformes (pigeons and doves), however, may harbour a variety of external and intestinal parasites. When present, parasites can cause generalized debilitation in birds and, in severe cases, some intestinal parasites can cause severe weight loss, anemia, and death. Some parasites are known to cause specific clinical conditions.
What exactly is a parasite?
Parasites are most commonly microscopic organisms that live on or in other living organisms, benefiting themselves but not the host organism. Internal parasites, which occur inside various organs of the body, such as the stomach or intestines, include worms (e.g., tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms), protozoa (e.g., Giardia), and trichomonads. External parasites, infecting the skin or feathers, include mites, fleas, and lice.
Are certain species of birds prone to certain types of parasites?
Yes, some are prone to certain parasites. Some examples:
(Photo credit: Gregory Rich, DVM)
Sometimes diagnosis is easy; other times, different diagnostic tests must be performed. With knemidokoptic mange (mite infection), your veterinarian can often make a diagnosis based on the results of a physical examination and a microscopic analysis of a skin scraping of the feet or beak. Diagnosis of intestinal parasites will require a microscopic examination of fresh fecal material. Blood parasites like malaria can only be detected by a microscopic analysis of a stained blood smear. Sarcocystis infections are diagnosed by serological analysis in live birds.
Parasites are not usually fatal when diagnosed early, but they can cause discomfort (as in the case of skin parasites) or malnutrition (as in the case of intestinal parasites). Overwhelming parasitic infections in young or small birds can be serious, causing intestinal obstruction, severe anemia, and in some cases, death. At the very least, parasites irritate birds and make them unhealthy and prone to secondary infections.
External parasites are often treated with topical or oral antiparasitic medications. Additionally, the bird's environment, including its cage, perches, toys, and food and water bowls should be thoroughly washed and disinfected. If there are several birds in the same environment as the sick one, all birds may need to be treated to clear the whole flock or household of the parasites.
> "If there are several birds in the same environment as the sick one, all birds may need to be treated to clear the whole flock or household of the parasites."Internal parasites can be treated with a variety of oral or injectable medications. It is critical to follow your veterinarian’s directions, as oral or injectable anti-parasitic medications are dosed for each bird’s specific weight. Some medications may cause severe side effects if given improperly. Due to the life cycles of most parasites, several treatments may be needed. Annual veterinary examinations and fecal tests can help determine if your bird is infected with parasites.
Keep in mind that a single negative fecal test may seem meaningless, as the test looks for parasite eggs in the stool, and the parasite may not be producing eggs at the time of the test. Multiple fecal tests are often necessary to diagnose parasites because some parasites shed eggs intermittently, and only adult stages are capable of reproducing. Fecal examinations are relatively inexpensive, and having one or two tests performed each year will help determine if your bird is harbouring intestinal parasites.
© Copyright 2025 LifeLearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license. This content written by LifeLearn Animal Health (LifeLearn Inc.) is licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying, printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written consent of LifeLearn. This content does not contain all available information for any referenced medications and has not been reviewed by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, or Health Canada Veterinary Drugs Directorate. This content may help answer commonly asked questions, but is not a substitute for medical advice, or a proper consultation and/or clinical examination of your pet by a veterinarian. Please contact your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health. Last updated on Nov 8, 2023.
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376 Scott Swamp Road Route 6 (Next to Mama Luke's East of Wal*Mart) Farmington, Connecticut, 06032 Phone: (860) 677-0309 Fax: 860-677-0805 Email: advancedvetcare@comcast.net
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