Dec 21, 2013 14:10:28 GMT
ping
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 27
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Post by ping on Dec 21, 2013 14:53:45 GMT
Hi all! I'm new here, I just got a young budgie 10 days ago, and I am worried that he has mites/scaly face. His beak looks cracked, and has lines (almost like tunnels) running down it. His cere is also crusty. I've looked around the forums here and looked at pictures on Google, but I'm not sure. He rubs his beak a lot on the bars/cuttlefish/perches - is it itchy? He also preens a lot and I am worried that the feathers under his wings are patchy. I've not managed to get a picture of that though. I've managed to take a picture of his beak area: Can anyone confirm this for me? If not, what is it? It doesn't look normal As I said, I've only had him just less than two weeks so I assume it's something he picked up before (he's from a rescue)... I don't have any other birds. What can I do to treat it? There are no avian vets in my area As he's new I've not tamed him yet and he is still very shy of my hand... if I need to put oil or something on him can anyone give me any tips. I think he's just starting to trust me (got to the stage where he will tolerate my hand in his cage if I'm holding millet!) [edit] He is otherwise very perky, chirpy and active.
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Post by Moogie on Dec 21, 2013 15:10:54 GMT
Hi ping and welcome...im really sorry i cant help with this but just wanted to let you know that there are alot of very experienced people on the forum who im sure will be able to help you..the weekends are sometimes quite on this forum but you will have responses so hold tight...sorry i couldnt be of any help
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Dec 21, 2013 14:10:28 GMT
ping
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 27
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Post by ping on Dec 21, 2013 15:34:42 GMT
Thank you so much for the quick reply Just so worried for the little guy
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Post by birdguhl on Dec 21, 2013 15:47:59 GMT
Hi ping and welcome. Re your bud - see what you mean very clearly (great quality pics) and certainly it does look like there is something amiss. Like Moogie I'm not able to give direct advice but someone will soon, I'm sure. If it is scaly face mites then they can be treated quite easily. When you say he is perky, are there any signs of respiratory problems - a sound when he breathes? Tail bobbing in time with breathing? Breathing seeming laboured? I take it he is not fluffed up and lethargic from what you say?
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Dec 21, 2013 14:10:28 GMT
ping
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 27
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Post by ping on Dec 21, 2013 15:53:55 GMT
...are there any signs of respiratory problems - a sound when he breathes? Tail bobbing in time with breathing? Breathing seeming laboured? I take it he is not fluffed up and lethargic from what you say? Thanks for the reply! No, no sound when he breathes (I have listened carefully for this), no tail bobbing. When he first arrived 10 days ago he was breathing quite rapidly with his mouth open, but this only lasted a day, so I put it down to stress of moving. Not fluffed up at all and certainly not lethargic... as I type this he's currently hanging upside-down on his swing and chirping along to my TV
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Post by skysmum on Dec 21, 2013 16:51:37 GMT
Hi Ping and welcome, ive had similar worries about my new bud but i think mine was just very dry from bringing into the central heating. I treated him anyway with Beaphar spot on just to be sure, this will also kill any other mites he may have. I know it is a daunting but it is quite easy to do, if you can catch him and part his feathers at the base of his head and get some help from someone to drop on the drops it is job done, he will forgive you, mine did . Make sure they are the ones for Budgies though. It does show the running tracks down the beak which is classic of the scaly mite. He is a beautiful little chap
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Dec 21, 2013 14:10:28 GMT
ping
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 27
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Post by ping on Dec 21, 2013 18:24:20 GMT
Thank you He is such a gorgeous colour And yes, it was the tracks on the beak that I was worried about. They are difficult to see from a distance so I've only noticed them now that he's more comfortable coming closer for me to have a look. No idea how I'd go about "catching" him to apply medication though Do I need to go and ask for a prescription for the Spot On? Or is it over-the-counter?
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,789
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Dec 21, 2013 19:15:21 GMT
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Post by skysmum on Dec 21, 2013 19:18:59 GMT
You beat me to it Marianne . I ordered mine from NorthanParrots and it arrived in three days. Some pet shops may sell it but i couldn't find one near me.
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Dec 21, 2013 14:10:28 GMT
ping
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 27
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Post by ping on Dec 21, 2013 19:21:41 GMT
Thank you! Ideally I want to buy it in a shop so I don't have to wait for after-Christmas delivery. Any ideas? I don't have any other birds to treat... however I have three hamsters.. is there any way they would catch these mites? They've obviously never come into contact with Bird, and I've always washed my hands between being near either.
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Sept 24, 2013 23:40:36 GMT
budgiepercy
Brand New Budgie
My name is Percy and I am half American parakeet and half English budgie. :D
Posts: 76
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Post by budgiepercy on Dec 21, 2013 21:39:30 GMT
It does look like something is going on... Before you can get expert advise I would recommend rubbing vaseline on the affected area. It will delay and suffocate the mites (if there are any) You still need to get a real treatment for this. If the vaseline is eaten, that's OK but try not to let him eat it and do not put on too much. I'm not an expert but that was what people said to delay scaly face.
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Post by starlingqueen on Dec 21, 2013 21:58:22 GMT
Thank you! Ideally I want to buy it in a shop so I don't have to wait for after-Christmas delivery. Any ideas? I don't have any other birds to treat... however I have three hamsters.. is there any way they would catch these mites? They've obviously never come into contact with Bird, and I've always washed my hands between being near either. Mites would probably have been transmitted whilst still in the nest box from the parents feeding him.
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Post by Hezz on Dec 22, 2013 1:23:12 GMT
As you have been advised, this definitely looks like scaly mites to me, and while I am not in UK, the ivermectin 0.1% is what is needed for budgies. Unfortunately you will have to catch your little fella to dose him, and have another person to help ...... if you are the primary carer for him, get the other person to hold him while you apply the drop directly to the skin - feathers must be parted out of the way. You will need to repeat this once a week for three weeks to make sure all mites and any new hatchings have been killed off. Also, make sure you give his cage, perches and toys etc all a good scrubbing and disinfection, preferably with F10, with each time you treat your bird. This way any mites that may be lurking in and around the cage don't get a chance to reinfect your bird. Does he have a name? The mites will also have caused damage to the cere to a degree which will give him the crusty appearance. Once all the treatments are done, and he is mite free, over time you will notice that the cere and beak will start to return to their healthy state as the mite affected areas grow out. Soon he will be looking as beautiful as he should be.
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Dec 21, 2013 14:10:28 GMT
ping
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 27
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Post by ping on Dec 22, 2013 11:06:17 GMT
Thank you all for your help! I will look today at trying to get some Ivermectin. I'll try the vets and pet stores before I go online - I think online will take a long time to deliver at this time of year Any tips on how to catch him safely?
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Sept 24, 2013 23:40:36 GMT
budgiepercy
Brand New Budgie
My name is Percy and I am half American parakeet and half English budgie. :D
Posts: 76
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Post by budgiepercy on Dec 22, 2013 18:33:18 GMT
There are lots of videos of how to catch a budgie. The most important thing to do is use a small towel (It can be heated to make him comfy) so he isn't scared of you're hand.
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