Birds are friendly pets. They require good nutrition and a clean environment to lead healthy lives. Like any other creature, they are also at risk of contracting a bacterial or fungal infection.
Yes, birds can get ringworms; however, it is rare. Birds get ringworms when they come into direct contact with fungal spores such as Trichophyton, Microsporum, Cryptococcus, or Malassecia yeast. Ringworms can appear anywhere on the body of the bird. They resemble a worm in the shape of a ring and can affect any bird species.
Birds can get ringworms due to:
1. Exposure to Infected Children
As children play with others, they can easily contract ringworm and get infected. If they later play with the birds, they will likely infect them.
2. Outdoor Activities
Birds that are out of their cages more frequently get ringworms. As the bird explores, it may be exposed to fungal spores on the grass, leaves, or outside toys.
3. Weak Immune System
A bird whose immune system has been compromised due to poor diet, stress, illness, injury, or lack of exercise can get infected with ringworms.
Some medications can also lead to a bird getting ringworms as they reduce the number of white blood cells.
4. The Age of the Birds
Very young and old birds get easily infected by ringworms. The young ones are vulnerable since they are still developing.
Hence, they lack mature immune cells to fight off any diseases or infections, whereas the elderly have a weak immune system.
5. Presence of Other Pets in the Household
If you keep other pets, such as cats and dogs, they increase the chances of your bird getting ringworms.
As the other pets go outside more frequently, the risk of transmitting infectious fungi to pet birds is high.
6. Unhygienic Environment
A bird cage can be a breeding ground for fungi if not cleaned well and more frequently.
Regular washing of the sleeping materials, toys, and cage can help protect your bird from being infected by ringworms.
7. Stress
When stressed for a prolonged period, a bird is likely to become ill, which compromises its immune system and makes it susceptible to infection.
8. Poor Diet
Lack of proper nourishment leads to improper functioning of the immune system. Always ensure that your birds get enough nutrients to thrive and lead a healthy life.
9. Not Balanced Environment
When the environment is too dry, it leads to the release of too many spores. Also, a too-humid environment is favorable for fungal growth. Thus increasing the risk of contracting ringworms.
10. Overcrowding
If your bird cages are overcrowded, there is a risk of a ringworm outbreak if one bird gets infected.
It’s challenging to detect ringworms in the early stages, as it takes 2-3 weeks for the symptoms to emerge.
How to Tell If a Bird Is Infected by Ringworms
A bird infected by ringworms will exhibit symptoms such as:
1. Excessive Scratching
If your bird is scratching one or more parts of its body more frequently, you should check for inflamed patches of skin, as this is a sign of ringworm infection.
2. Red Circles
The infection creates small circles that appear on the skin. These small circles have lines that are:
1. Raised, red, and inflamed.
2. Scaly inside the circles.
3. Itchy and irritated.
4. Blistering
3. Bleeding
Due to the irritation, the bird is likely to scratch itself excessively, which can cause the skin to break, leading to bleeding. Bleeding areas should be cleaned to avoid infection through the wounds.
4. Loss of Feathers
Your bird is likely to lose feathers around the irritated area. If the feather loss occurs outside the molting season, it’s a sign of ringworm.
5. Crusty Appearance on the Head
At first, the infection can appear as white, powdery spots and wrinkled crusts. As the infection progresses, the skin thickens and appears crusty and scaly.
6. Difficulty in Breathing
If the infection is in the lungs. The bird usually has breathing difficulties accompanied by nasal discharge or an eye infection.
7. Weakness and Weight Loss
Due to the discomfort caused by the ringworm infestation, your bird will find it hard to feed properly. It can also lose its appetite, leading to weight loss and general body weakness.
Even if it’s rare for your bird to be infected by ringworms, it’s good to be on the lookout and intervene early, as they have effects such as:
1. Weakens the immune system.
2. It causes a bird’s feathers to fall out, thus making it vulnerable to cold temperatures.
3. It makes the bird itchy and uncomfortable.
How Can I Treat My Pet for Ringworm at Home?
Once you notice that your bird is infected with ringworm, immediate action should be taken to ensure that your bird receives the necessary medication.
Care should be taken while attending to the sick bird to avoid spreading the infection to other pets. Hence, wear gloves while attending to the sick bird and wash the clothes worn while in contact with it.
The following are ways to treat ringworm in birds at home:
1. Using a prescription for over-the-counter topical medication for home treatment. Antifungal cream, gel, or shampoo can also be applied, and the infection will clear within 7-10 days.
2. Trimming feathers from the infected areas to minimize further spread.
3. In severe cases, entirely remove the bird’s feathers.
How Do You Treat Ringworms in Budgies?
Budgies are not exempt from getting ringworm. Even if they occur in rare cases, your budgie will need to be cared for and given adequate treatment to eradicate the worms, as they can fatally affect the budgie’s well-being.
You can treat ringworms in budgies by:
1. Quarantining Your Budgie
Once you realize your bird has been infected, isolate it to prevent further spread to humans and other pets, as ringworms are highly contagious.
Ensure your budgie has easy access to water and food to limit stress. This will hasten the healing process.
2. Cleaning The Cage
The cage should be thoroughly cleaned with a bird-safe disinfectant, bathe all the other pets in the household; and avoid being in regular contact with the infected budgie.
3. Offer Your Budgie Medication
You can take your budgie to the vet or offer it over-the-counter topical medication for home treatment.
Oral antifungal medications such as miconazole, clotrimazole, enilconazole, and fluconazole can also be used for ringworm treatment. They are highly effective as they ease itching sensations faster than topical treatment.
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