Nov 3, 2014 23:10:43 GMT
jimmy666
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 1
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Post by jimmy666 on Nov 4, 2014 11:42:04 GMT
Hi this is my first post and first budgie I've had him 2 weeks he is 10weeks old last night I notice that there was a tiny black thing crawling up his chest could this be lice it was about 1mm in length could someone please advise what they are? It looked like a thunder bud? Thanks getting worried he seems fine feeding and drinking.
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Post by Hezz on Nov 5, 2014 1:44:04 GMT
It could lice, red mites or feather mites.
To check if your budgie has mites, put clean white paper down on the floor of the cage before night fall and check it the next morning. For whatever reason the engorged mites seem to be attracted to white and will be visible on the paper as small red spots, also the poop of the mites may also be seen. To treat, and a treatment for all parasites, internal and external you can use Ivermectin 0.1%, easily purchased on the internet, make sure you get the correct concentration. You can also purchase mite sprays from most pet stores, but I couldn't recommend any particular one, as I have not used any.
While none of these are detrimental to the bird short-term, over the long term they can be known to cause anemia (the blood-suckers, such as red mites), extensive feather damage (feather mites) and all these external parasites irritate the birds, causing unwanted agitation and stress.
Oh, and also when you treat the birds, the whole of their cage, perches, toys, covers, feeders etc will need to be thoroughly cleaned and treated as well.
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