SCALY LEG MITE IN GREEN PEAFOWL (Pavo muticus) Sidang Veterinawan Klinikal Bil. 2/2014 9-11hb September 2014, Institut Veterinar Malaysia, Kluang, Johor “A CASE REPORT OF SCALY LEG MITE IN GREEN PEAFOWL (Pavo muticus) ” DR. DONNY YAWAH Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupanliar & Taman Negara (PERHILITAN)

Green peafowl (Pavo muticus) Locally known as merak hijau. The male is more beautiful than the female Native to Malaysia but extinct.

(c) Dr Donny, Seksyen Veterinar Hidupan Liar, Jabatan PERHILITAN Introduction Scaly Leg Mite Is a sarcoptic mite is caused by a burrowing mite (Knemidocoptes mutans). Transmission through direct contact Cause scaly, raised encrusted, raised and thicken scales. Cause intense irritation to the bird. (c) Dr Donny, Seksyen Veterinar Hidupan Liar, Jabatan PERHILITAN

CASE HISTORY Background & History 1. An adult female green peafowl (Pavo muticus) weighing about 5 kg was presented with scaly and raised encrusted scales on the both legs Kept in captivity with a male peafowl. Lesion was seen for more than 2 years

CASE HISTORY Physical Examination Physical examination reveals scaly, raised encrusted scales on the both legs. The skin of both feet was markedly thickened and covered with thick friable crusts (hyperkeratosis). Slight limping The other clinical findings are normal

DDX Differential Diagnosis Parasitic infestation

Diagnosis Method Deep skin scrapping was done at the skin lesion and the sample was send to parasitology laboratory. However, the result revealed false negative result. This could be due to faulty in sampling technique and transportation of samples.

Treatment Treatment Treatment given consists of Ivermectin 0.2 mg/kg with concentration 1 mg/mL, PO for every 2 weeks until 2 to 3 times depend on severity of lesion

Preparation of Ivermectin Preparation of medication: •Concentration of Ivermectin =10mg/ml •Concentration of Ivermectin needed =1mg/ml # 0.1ml of Ivermectin (10mg/ml) + 0.9ml of water (water for injection/normal saline)  produce 1ml, 1mg/ml of Ivermectin with new concentration   Volume of Ivermectin needed: •Body weight = 5 kg (esti/actual bodyweight) •Concentration of Ivermectin = 1mg/ml •Dosage = 0.2mg/kg Please calculate the required dosage..

Preparation of Ivermectin Required dosage: # Volume of Ivermectin = 0.2mg/kg X 5kg _______________ 1mg/ml = 1.0ml PO, (treatment given every 2 weeks)

Condition of lesion after 2nd treatment Prognosis & progress Prognosis in this case was good. The birds respond to treatment well since the gross lesion is reduced on 2nd treatment Condition of lesion after 2nd treatment

Prognosis & progress The condition was completely healed after after the 3rd treatment. However the shape of the leg was permanently impaired.

Discussion Why false negative parasitology results in this case? Could be due to improper sampling technique lead to false negative results. In the case, scrapings was taken from the crusty flakes and edge of the lesion.

Discussion Proper sampling protocol? For those mite species that burrow into the skin, the scraping must be deep enough to cause a small amount of blood to ooze from the scraping site. A drop of mineral oil or glycerol may be placed on the blade to help to hold the skin scrapings during the procedure. Skin scrapings should be placed in sealed containers (e.g. clean, empty salve tins; stoppered glass/plastic test tubes; small, sealable plastic bags) and promptly sent to a laboratory for more thorough examination (Klayman & Schillhorn van Veen, 1981).

Conclusion Treatment of choice for birds with scaly leg mite lesions is Ivermectin given orally is very effective in this case. Other than that, proper sampling technique such as deep skin scrapping from the edge of the lesion will help in diagnosis of the diseases.

Acknowledgement I would like to thank the Director General of DWNP, Dr Siti Aminah binti Yusob, Dr Zubaidah binti Kamaruddin and the staff of Pusat Pendidikan Biodiversiti Bukit Marak, for their support and involvement in this case. . donny@wildlife.gov.my

References The Merck Veterinary Manual, 9th edition (Overview of mange and scaly leg mite in birds) KLAYMAN E. & SCHILLHORN VAN VEEN T.W. (1981). Diagnosis of ectoparasitism. Mod. Vet. Pract., 62, 767–771.

Terima kasih donny@wildlife.gov.my