Oct 5, 2014 20:45:09 GMT
blueemu
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 14
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Post by blueemu on Oct 6, 2014 10:44:04 GMT
Hi everyone I'm new to the forum. I'm wondering if you guys can help me out a bit. Two of my budgies seem to have problems with their beaks. I'll post some pics and hopefully you guys can tell me it's it's related to mites, or not. This is Chloe. Her appearance has somewhat deteriorated and the feathers are not as bright as they once were. The feathers on her head looks streaked and she has a crusty red formation developing around the edge of her beak although only at the bottom end. I also noticed that the brown material which accompanied her cere has fallen off. Here's a pic of her with her new friend Oliver. I hope it's possible to see that she doesn't look as healthy and vibrant in colour as he does. I hope this is just unwarranted concern on my part. Here's my other budgie, Millie (foreground). Her general appearance is good, except for her beak which needed to be trimmed. The top beak is quite exaggerated and the bottom one has grown skew and is quite exaggerated when left unaltered. The beak also has a rather scaly appearance. In this pic you can see the extent of its overgrowth, and she seems to be developing something around her left eye. Whatever help you can give will be appreciated.
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Post by Hezz on Oct 7, 2014 0:27:08 GMT
This will be mites, almost for sure. And they have had them for quite some time. Ivermectin 0.1% can be purchased on line - I don't know where abouts in the world you are, so can't help with sites - it is a spot-on treatment; one drop on the back of the neck, on the skin each week for three weeks (at least) and all birds will need to be done. You may find it takes longer than three weeks to get rid of them but you probably will not be able to tell as the infestation is quite bad. At the same time as you dose them each week, you will need to disinfect all cages, perches toys, water containers and feeders.
The odd growth around the eyes and the deformity of the beak(s) will more than likely be from the mites as well. Depending on how badly the beak is deformed, it may or may not grow back normally once the mites have been eradicated.
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Oct 5, 2014 20:45:09 GMT
blueemu
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 14
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Post by blueemu on Oct 7, 2014 12:41:31 GMT
This will be mites, almost for sure. And they have had them for quite some time. Ivermectin 0.1% can be purchased on line - I don't know where abouts in the world you are, so can't help with sites - it is a spot-on treatment; one drop on the back of the neck, on the skin each week for three weeks (at least) and all birds will need to be done. You may find it takes longer than three weeks to get rid of them but you probably will not be able to tell as the infestation is quite bad. At the same time as you dose them each week, you will need to disinfect all cages, perches toys, water containers and feeders. The odd growth around the eyes and the deformity of the beak(s) will more than likely be from the mites as well. Depending on how badly the beak is deformed, it may or may not grow back normally once the mites have been eradicated. Thank you so much for the reply and for the new thread I was wondering if it was mite related, but I wasn't sure. I hope though that this isn't something very serious, possibly terminal? I'm from South Africa. Can I purchase said remedy at a pet store? I'm just wondering how such an infestation could have become so bad. I will be taking them to the vet though, just to make sure and perhaps I'll be able to get the Ivermectin there. Sorry if I made my original post in the wrong place.
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Post by budgiefriend on Oct 7, 2014 13:56:20 GMT
Hope the vet has a solution for you. Please keep us posted. You obviously love all your little budgies. They are so much fun.
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Post by samwiseg on Oct 7, 2014 14:40:41 GMT
Ivermectin is also known as Stromectol in other countries worldwide so you maybe be able to get that from the pet shop or alternatively order it online? But make sure that it is 0.1% and as Hezz has previously mentioned you will need to treat all your birds
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Post by milliej on Oct 7, 2014 16:47:02 GMT
How awful, poor little (I was going to say mites...but inappropriate! ) I do hope you can get this sorted quickly without any further problems. Can I ask, whereabouts you are in S.A. I used to live there although it's a long time ago, we returned to England in 1990 after over 18 years in the (then) Northern Transvaal. I still miss it at times though!
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Oct 5, 2014 20:45:09 GMT
blueemu
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 14
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Post by blueemu on Oct 7, 2014 21:03:32 GMT
Thanks guys for the replies. budgiefriend, I'll defintely keep you all posted on any progress. samewiseg, I'd prefer to buy it from a store instead of online. I'm still very behind the times when it comes to internet shopping. I will be taking all of them to the vet. milliej, I haven't heard that name (Northern Transvaal) in a long time. I'm from the old Transvaal, now known as Gauteng, though it contains a bit of the old N Transvaal. Since you're in England, you must be missing the sun.
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Post by stace on Oct 8, 2014 0:24:08 GMT
This will be mites, almost for sure. And they have had them for quite some time. Ivermectin 0.1% can be purchased on line - I don't know where abouts in the world you are, so can't help with sites - it is a spot-on treatment; one drop on the back of the neck, on the skin each week for three weeks (at least) and all birds will need to be done. You may find it takes longer than three weeks to get rid of them but you probably will not be able to tell as the infestation is quite bad. At the same time as you dose them each week, you will need to disinfect all cages, perches toys, water containers and feeders. The odd growth around the eyes and the deformity of the beak(s) will more than likely be from the mites as well. Depending on how badly the beak is deformed, it may or may not grow back normally once the mites have been eradicated. Thank you so much for the reply and for the new thread I was wondering if it was mite related, but I wasn't sure. I hope though that this isn't something very serious, possibly terminal? I'm from South Africa. Can I purchase said remedy at a pet store? I'm just wondering how such an infestation could have become so bad. I will be taking them to the vet though, just to make sure and perhaps I'll be able to get the Ivermectin there. Sorry if I made my original post in the wrong place. It's not terminal unless you leave them untreated so the condition becomes very bad and disfiguring. You just need to get them all treated as soon as possible. The longer the mites are there, the more damage they do. If you catch it early, it clears up quicker. Once you've treated them, as per vet's instructions with the ivermectin, you'll probably want to give them all a quick booster treatment once every six months.
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Post by Hezz on Oct 8, 2014 1:01:59 GMT
This will be mites, almost for sure. And they have had them for quite some time. Ivermectin 0.1% can be purchased on line - I don't know where abouts in the world you are, so can't help with sites - it is a spot-on treatment; one drop on the back of the neck, on the skin each week for three weeks (at least) and all birds will need to be done. You may find it takes longer than three weeks to get rid of them but you probably will not be able to tell as the infestation is quite bad. At the same time as you dose them each week, you will need to disinfect all cages, perches toys, water containers and feeders. The odd growth around the eyes and the deformity of the beak(s) will more than likely be from the mites as well. Depending on how badly the beak is deformed, it may or may not grow back normally once the mites have been eradicated. Thank you so much for the reply and for the new thread I was wondering if it was mite related, but I wasn't sure. I hope though that this isn't something very serious, possibly terminal? I'm from South Africa. Can I purchase said remedy at a pet store? I'm just wondering how such an infestation could have become so bad. I will be taking them to the vet though, just to make sure and perhaps I'll be able to get the Ivermectin there. Sorry if I made my original post in the wrong place. www.google.com.au/search?q=budgies+with+mites&client=firefox-a&hs=Lu1&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=kIk0VIvMF9HN8gWanILIDg&ved=0CCkQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=633Not to overdo it, or create a panic, but have a look through some of these images of budgies who have suffered with mites, sometimes for years, with no treatment. I am sure with time that the damage of untreated mites will cause the death of the birds ......... as their beaks become more and more deformed, they will be less able to feed properly and I image that could result in a slow death from starvation. The vet should definitely be able to help you out with the 0.1% ivermectin (make sure you stress the concentration if the vet is not terribly knowledgeable about birds. If the vet looks at you blankly, try any animal produce stores you may have access to. Ivermectin is available throughout many countries in different concentrations as it is also used as a spot-on for sheep and cattle, larger birds as well. This is why it is important to source the correct concentration. And if you were inclined to ask, NO, it cannot be diluted down to the 0.1% from the higher dilutions, it is to do with the fact that the liquid is not water-based. Good luck with the vet visit - try to find an avian vet, if that is at all possible. They are few and far between here in Australia; I can imagine it being similar in SA. I really hope you have success finding the treatment easily. Another place to try is any society/club that specializes in birds - budgies would be best - as sometimes these clubs will buy in bulk and sell off in small amounts to their members. They just may be able to help. PS You're welcome, and don't worry (about where you posted your query) - just hope we can help get this sorted with you.
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Post by milliej on Oct 8, 2014 16:18:45 GMT
Thanks guys for the replies. budgiefriend, I'll defintely keep you all posted on any progress. samewiseg, I'd prefer to buy it from a store instead of online. I'm still very behind the times when it comes to internet shopping. I will be taking all of them to the vet. milliej, I haven't heard that name (Northern Transvaal) in a long time. I'm from the old Transvaal, now known as Gauteng, though it contains a bit of the old N Transvaal. Since you're in England, you must be missing the sun. Everywhere is changing, geography is not the same as it was years ago I lived in Pietersburg/Polokwane and you're right I do miss the sun and many things that we don't have here but there are compensations and I am some (20 odd years!!) older. Welcome to the forum, some very good and sound advice, hope it works for you and your bud's.
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Oct 5, 2014 20:45:09 GMT
blueemu
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 14
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Post by blueemu on Oct 9, 2014 15:54:21 GMT
Hey guys I went to the vet today, and she did give them a mite treatment, but she wasn't all that sure if it was mites in the first place. I told her that I have gained some info from people on the web, and it looks like mites are the problem, but it seems and she did elude to, the fact that she isn't an expert on birds. Unfortunately I don't know of a vet nearby me who specializes in exotic animals, but she did tell me that they appear okay and they don't look in any real form of sickness. I did try to ask more about the treatment but her knowledge was limited. She did say that I should try to come back in three weeks, if things haven't improved. What do you guys suggest? Should I still try to get my hands on some Ivermectin? milliej, thanks for the welcome. The name Johannesburg hasn't changed yet, but it may in the future. There are pros and cons that come with living in any place, and you guys don't have as much crime as we do.
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Mar 28, 2024 16:05:53 GMT
Deleted
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2014 19:41:59 GMT
Well, put it this way, it certainly looks like mites, but if it's not then treating them for mites won't do any harm. Many owners and breeders treat their birds preventively.
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Post by samwiseg on Oct 10, 2014 7:18:50 GMT
Couldn't agree more with Ira, get some Ivermectin and treat them anyway
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Post by ffiscool on Oct 10, 2014 7:34:56 GMT
how likely are mites once, treated (if B ever did have them), to come back, if a single indoors bud?
or is that irrelevant?
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Post by stace on Oct 10, 2014 7:47:37 GMT
Many/most normal vets know absolutely zero about birds. We're all pretty certain those are burrowing mites causing scaly face, scaly eye and scaly legs. If you can't find an avian vet, source the 0.1% ivermectin and treat them. If you leave it, this condition will simply get worse and become detrimental to their health and wellbeing. Remember, ivermectin goes under different brand names. It might be, say, called Spot-on. It's the same stuff used to control certain parasites and whatnot on dogs, sheep, horses even I think, but the concentration is different for the small size of birds. A quick google turned up this - SA avian vets - might be helpful; www.vetassociation.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=114&Itemid=189
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