Air sac mites???

[Jon]

One of my java finches has lost some feathers on her right breast, near her crop. It's not entirely bad, but it is noticeable. I originally thought it was the start of a moult, but she hasn't lost feathers in any other region. I've also noticed that when she gets into periods of moderate to intense activity, she tends to pant. I've never noticed this before, and her partner, with the same exact conditions, never pants. I haven't seen any tail bobbing or other signs. These symptoms began about 2 weeks ago. Her droppings look normal. Her behavior and appetite is fine, too. Air sac mites? If so, where can I get some meds at a good price?

[Sally]

You can get SCATT from many online vendors, but make certain that your bird does have air sac mites. Debbie276 told of a method to verify air sac mites, I will look for it and post it.

[Sally]

Here is the post from Debbie about how to diagnose air sac mites.

From the site:
http://www.geocities.com/bjbills1/ASM.html
The signs of air sac mites (open mouth breathing, clicking sounds, sneezing, tail-bobbing, etc.) are also consistent with many other respiratory ailments.
A diagnosis is made by wetting the feathers on the neck with alcohol and transilluminating the trachea with a bright penlight. This procedure is best performed in a darkened room. With normal vision, the mites can be seen as dark, pinhead size, moving spots in the trachea.

A very easy way to positively diagnose ASM if that's what your thinking it has.

[Jon]

Seems like a very nice, fool-proof method. I will be gone for 10 days, and if I come back to the same symptoms, I will make sure to check.