The air sac mite (Cytodites nudus) may cause sufficient irritation to the mucous membrane lining the air sacs to seriously obstruct the air passages with mucus, or produce death from exhaustion. A post-mortem examination of a fowl that has died of this disease shows the mites on the surface of the lining membrane of the air-sacs. They appear as a white or yellow dust.
TREATMENT OF POULTRY DISEASES CAUSED BY MITES.—Diseases of poultry caused by mites may be prevented by quarantining all recently purchased birds for a period of from two to four weeks, and by keeping the poultry houses clean. Birds that are found infested with parasites should be destroyed or returned. In case the bird is valuable and suffering from external parasites only, it should be given the necessary treatment.
Red mites may be destroyed by thoroughly cleaning the poultry house, and spraying the roosts, nests, walls and floor with a three per cent water solution of liquor cresolis compositus. This should be repeated twice a week for two weeks.
Scaly-leg may be treated by applying a penetrating oil to the feet and lower part of the leg. It is advisable to first remove the scales by scrubbing the part with soap and warm water. Dipping the feet in a mixture of kerosene one part and linseed oil two parts is recommended. This should be repeated as often as necessary.
QUESTIONS
1. Describe the different bot-flies.
2. Give the life history of the bot-fly of the horse; of the ox; of sheep.
3. Give the symptoms of bot-fly diseases.
4. Give the symptoms of lousiness.
5. Give treatment for lousiness of different farm animals.