Duck issue please help

[yumachick2015]

Hello,
I have a 3 year old female duck that has been developing scans on her face. I’m thinking it’s a mite but not sure. Need help.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That is definitely not right. Might be mites?? @casportpony have you seen this?

 

[MissChick@dee]

Oh Mercy.
Auto Immune?
Fungal?
Above my pay grade for sure.

 

[Orca5094]

Oh my, that does not look good. Not sure what exactly is going on there, but I think a vet visit is in order for sure.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Till @casportpony gets here can you put her into a pool or tub and add some apple cider vinegar to it? She def needs some help there. Does she have access to bathing water? Any other of your ducks like this? Trying to get some background. Do you live in the USA?

 

[casportpony]

That is definitely not right. Might be mites?? @casportpony have you seen this?

That looks like it could be Mites, Favus, yeast, or maybe a bacterial infection. I don't know for sure because I've never seen anything quite like it.

Where do you live? Is a vet an option?

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I've never seen scaly mites on the face of any bird, only on chicken legs, but it's possible. If it is mites, they might be on other parts of the duck too. Check the entire duck, especially around the vent.

The preferred treatment for scaly mites is ivermectin:

• http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/knemidocoptiasis-birds?id=&sk=&date=&pageID=6
  Spoiler: Mite treatment - click to open

  TREATMENT AND PREVENTION
  
  Isolate and treat all birds with lesions and any birds that have had direct contact with symptomatic birds.
  
  Ivermectin
  
  
  
  
  Table 2 Diluting Ivermectin for Topical or Oral Use in Birds
  Ivermectin is the drug of choice and may be given orally, topically, or by injection.25-27 Topical or oral dosing is recommended for small birds. Ivermectin may be toxic if given intramuscularly, especially in small birds, and death may occur.28 Two large-animal injectable propylene-glycol–based formulations of ivermectin (Ivomec—Merial) are available for extralabel use in birds in 1% (10 mg/ml) and 0.27% (2.7 mg/ml) concentrations.
  
  
  For small and tiny birds, ivermectin can be diluted for safer oral or topical dosing. Many anecdotal dilutions are used; a 1:4 dilution is often recommended. See Table 2 for two easy-to-prepare ivermectin dilution formulas for oral or topical administration. Dilute the bovine preparation (which contains propylene glycol) with propylene glycol because the ivermectin will precipitate if mixed with water. Thoroughly mix the solution before administration because ivermectin settles out in propylene glycol. When given orally, propylene glycol has been associated with tracheal necrosis in some birds, and certain species are sensitive to propylene glycol, such as keel-billed toucans (Ramphastos sulfuratus).29
  
  The suggested ivermectin dosing regimen is 200 to 400 μg/kg given orally or topically for two to three treatments at 10-day intervals.25-27 For most species, give 200 μg/kg, and repeat in 10 to 14 days. Canaries usually require a longer treatment period than budgerigars do; three to six treatments are often needed before resolution is achieved. Because topical ivermectin administration at 0.4 mg/kg was found to be toxic in finches, use the 0.2 mg/kg dose for passerines and other sensitive individuals.28
  
  If diluted ivermectin is not available, moisten the feathers on the neck with water or an alcohol-soaked cotton ball, and apply one drop (0.01 ml) from an insulin syringe to the skin over the jugular furrow. Alternatively, apply a light coating of 0.1% ivermectin topically on the affected areas of skin (e.g. cere, feet) for three consecutive days, and repeat in one week.
  
  Although autoclaving diluted ivermectin to obtain a sterile form for injection has been discussed by some practitioners, it is not recommended. The melting point of ivermectin (311 F [155 C]) is too close to typical autoclave temperatures (average 250 F [121 C]) to ensure drug stability, according to the manufacturer. In addition, the flash point of propylene glycol is 210 F (99 C), which may make it combustible in an autoclave.30
  
  A water-soluble, 10-mg/ml liquid ivermectin (Eqvalan—Merial) available for horses has been used safely when given orally.27 However, when this product was given intramuscularly, it resulted in the death of finches and budgerigars.27
  
  Moxidectin
  
  Pour-on or injectable moxidectin (Cydectin—Fort Dodge Animal Health) is also effective and available in 0.5% and 1% preparations, respectively. In one study, one or two topical treatments at 10-day intervals on the neck skin in budgerigars with 0.1 ml of the 10-mg/ml injectable was effective and showed no adverse effects in 30 birds.31 Pruritus disappeared within 10 days after the first treatment, while complete resolution of lesions took about 30 to 40 days, depending on lesion severity.31 In another study, two drops of a 1:20 dilution of 1% moxidectin applied topically to the neck once and then repeated 23 days later was effective in treating red-fronted parakeets.16Spot-on 1,000 μg/ml moxidectin (Scatt—Vetafarm; 1 drop/30 g every 21 days for two or three treatments) has also been used with success and is popular among breeders and hobbyists.
  
  Other antiparasitics
  
  Avoid using older topical parasiticides, such as rotenone-orthophenylphenol (e.g. Goodwinol ointment), crotamiton (Eurax cream), and lindane, which may be more toxic than efficacious. In the past, applying mineral oil to the lesions has been effective, but it is messy and can result in side effects, including oily feathers and aspiration of the mineral oil. Cage mite protectors have no efficacy against Knemidocoptes species. Although selamectin (Revolution—Pfizer) is effective for treating ear mites (Otodectes species) and sarcoptic mange in mammalian species, it has not been evaluated in birds and is not recommended for use in avian species at this time.
  
  Adjunctive management
  
  Adjunctive therapy includes softening crusts with water-soluble, nontoxic emollients, such as aloe vera gel, being careful not to plug the nares. If the nares are occluded with crusts, carefully remove them to restore normal airflow. Sparing use of topical antibiotic ophthalmic ointments in and around the eyes may be needed in severe cases, but avoid contact with the feathers. Birds with open sores may benefit from concurrent administration of systemic antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (0.1 to 0.5 mg/kg meloxicam orally b.i.d.) as well as perch adjustments that make perching more comfortable for birds with foot and leg lesions. If indicated, the bird's diet should be improved and supplemental vitamin A may be beneficial.32
  
  Breeding should be discontinued until the infestation is eliminated, and some individuals may need to be culled. Disinfect cages, roosts, and perches to prevent spread to other birds. If possible, perform a full medical work-up for underlying conditions because Knemidocoptes species infection is often secondary to other immunosuppressive disease processes.

• 
  
• https://wagwalking.com/bird/condition/scaly-leg-mite#treatment
  
  Spoiler: More info - click to open

  Treatment of Scaly Leg Mite in Birds
  Your veterinarian will prescribe a medication to eliminate the mites. If you have more than one bird, all birds in your home will need to be treated for scaly leg mite even if they are not showing any symptoms. They have been exposed and are likely harboring the parasitic mite.
  
  Ivermectin is usually the treatment of choice for scaly leg mite. Your veterinarian will prescribe the initial treatment of 10 days and then have you bring your bird back in for an examination. It will generally require anywhere from 2 to 6 treatments, 10 days each, to completely get rid of the mites. Ivermectin can be applied on the skin behind the neck, injected or given orally. Your veterinarian will discuss with you the best administration method for your bird.
  
  Antibiotics may also be given if there is a secondary bacterial infection from the open lesions on your bird’s face, legs or feet. Always follow dosing instructions and never give any medication without first consulting your veterinarian.
  
  When treating for scaly leg mite, thoroughly disinfect your bird’s cage, bowls and toys along with any other items that they come into contact with regularly. You will want to disinfect at the beginning and end of each treatment round.

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I think Favus treatment is an antifungal, but not sure which one would be best. I guess if I suspected Favus I would give an oral drug like ketoconazole or fluconazole and I would apply a topical antifungal, like an athletes foot cream or a vaginal yeast infection cream.

• http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1012&amp=&context=zoonoticspub&amp=&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dcutaneous%2Bmycosis%2Bwaterfowl%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dsafari%26hl%3Den%26oq%3Dcutaneous%2Bmycosis%2Bwaterfowl%26gs_l%3Dmobile-heirloom-serp.3...9208.12593.0.14106.10.10.0.0.0.0.363.1732.0j8j1j1.10.0....0...1c.1.34.mobile-heirloom-serp..7.3.763.ounWr7s455o#search="cutaneous mycosis waterfowl"

• http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/FungalAlgal/Favus.htm

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May I suggest that we all google "scaly face mites in birds", "favus in poultry", and just plain old favus.

Edited to add:
Oh, I mean that in a nice way and hope it didn't sound rude. I just think it would be helpful if everyone, myself included, would look at a bunch of pictures of birds and people with mites or favus.

 

[Jpat]

Oh my god it looks like a monster.

Is the bird misrable and in pain?

 

[casportpony]

Oh my god it looks like a monster.

Is the bird misrable and in pain?

In people, Favus is painful, and I imagine mites would be painful too.

 

[Jpat]

Jeez.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Poor baby