What is wrong with Storm's feet? (query from member)

[Marianne Marlow]

Hi everyone,

I received this email this morning and I would like your opinion.
The lady's vet is saying it's mites and she's receiving treatment for that.

Thanks for any input.

M

"Hi Marianne,

I apologize for contacting you directly via email. I joined the budgerigars forum, but I cant figure out how to attach photos (ugh…so embarrassing!). Below is the post that I intended to share…after reading your post about mites, I am hoping you may have some insight for me.

Hi, I am a new budgie parent (got Storm in March from a local pet store). I noticed there was something different with his feet somewhat early on. I did web research but nothing I found matched Storm's feet. In early August, I noticed his feet seemed to be getting worse. I took him to an avian vet who said it was mites. She gave him an Ivermectin treatment and took blood for an analysis (the results later came back "ok"). I took my other budgies to the same vet the next day for an Ivermectin treatment, then purged all items from their cage, cleaned thoroughly, sprayed all items with a flea and tick spray that the vet sold sold me, and purchased all new perches and toys for their budgie home. His feet do not look any better, and i see a growth on the back of his "knee" now. I am not sure if it was there before, but I never noticed it. I have another appointment with the vet tomorrow for a second round of Ivermectin treatment for all the budgies, but I fear that it is not mites. The growths are only on the right side of each foot - are mites picky about the side they attack? I do not see any sores on the bottom of his feet. I don't want my poor lil Storm to be in any pain, so I am hoping the forum can provide some insight as to what it really might be, or backup the vet that mites are the true culprits. Please see the attached photos - the photos of Storm on the wooden dowel perch is from early August (right before I took him to the vet) - the photos of him on the black cage rail are from today. His poor little feet look worse to me....but I am no expert.

Many, many thanks - from Storm and Rachel
"

[birdguhl]

I have no real knowledge but if I was pushed I would say it looks fungal. Really hope the vet can do something effective. Surely if it was mites the first treatment of Ivermectin would have made a difference.

Other more knowledgable members will be along today and comment.

BTW, I think Storm is a girl (and very much in breeding condition in the dowel pics)!

[ffiscool]

oh poor Storm.. I would have thought too, that ivermectin would have sorted it out, so maybe not that.. yes, may well be fungal just from looking. I hope you get her sorted soon.

Storm is I think too, a girlie... very pretty too

[birdguhl]

Just wanted to bump this up. Any thoughts anyone else?

[Hezz]

Sorry, I can't find anything either. I think an avian vet is the best chance of an answer that may actually provide some relief. Guessing is not going to help Storm, unfortunately, poor girl.

[stace]

The ivermectin needs to be given over a period of time for scaly mites - a minimum of three weeks, but sometimes it takes a little longer. Could this be the problem?

[BudgiesBuddy]

Maybe, and the disinfection of everything is required too.

[stace]

Also, it could be that scales on the legs/feet take a while to be replaced with good scales, even though the infection may have gone?

[Hezz]

BB, @corie, if there was this bad an infestation of mites wouldn't you expect the cere and beak to be affected as well? I am also surprised that an avian vet gave only one dose of ivermectin to "clear up" a potential mite infestation. I thought it was widely accepted that a weekly dose for at least 3 weeks (if not more) was necessary to treat and kill the next generations.

[Marianne Marlow]

I had this response from Rachel this morning

"I was able to quiz the vet better with research and the forum’s suggestions of possible reasons for the problems with Storm’s feet. She was actually pleased that I asked all the right questions.

The vet showed me the blood work results that indicated good stats for the liver (rules out fatty liver disease), kidneys (rules out gout), glucose levels, and overall good health. The only oddity was a high white blood cell count that she said may indicate “an infection.” She said the scraping obtained from Storm’s feet during the visit 3 weeks prior proved “inconclusive” for mites.

The vet called me today and shared that the results from the second skin sample (she took during Tuesday’s visit) indicated no mites. However, she said that since the first Ivermectin treatment had already been applied, the lack of mites didn’t rule out that mites were the original cause. The vet also indicated that first and foremost we needed to identify that it is nothing contagious for the sake of the other budgies. In other words, the Ivermectin treatment was an imperative step in the process. The vet asked me to contact her after the 3-week interval for the second Ivermectin treatment to let her know how Storm is doing. This is inline with the forum’s suggestion that it may take the full 3 weeks for the scales to fall off and be replaced with healthy scales.

If Storm’s feet aren't better, the vet wants to explore possible thyroid problems, although she said it hasn't been proven to be an issue among budgies. She would also explore prescribing antibiotics.

In response to the forum’s comments, I am so thankful for the advise and suggestions!! After the first Ivermectin treatment, I did a full purge (disposal) of all items in the cage, performed a steam treatment and thoroughly sprayed with Ovitrol (flea, tick and bot spray) I purchased from the vet. I purchased all new perches (cheaper, disposable type), chew toys, etc. I will do this again now that the second treatment has been applied. I truly hope Storm will have relief soon. I will update you again soon with progress. And more pics.

On another note, the vet said it was really hard to tell the sex of the four budgies I have - two are obviously male, but Storm and Herb are most possibly female. Blood test would positively identify their sex. So much for trusting the local pet store to properly identify budgies’ sex. humf! I hope for no chick surprises.
"

[starlingqueen]

I hope her feet get better soon. As for sex, Storm is a hen as is the olive green one next to her in the last picture, I can just see her cere.

[Hezz]

Agree, SQ.

Rachel, never ever trust a pet store to tell the truth .......... about anything! I think they all take a course on misinformation, especially when it comes to birds. But aside from that, your vet seems to be being very thorough, so hopefully Storm's problem feet will be found a cause and then a solution very quickly. Do keep us informed on his whoops, her, progress.