Ugh! Air sac mites...I think...

[Beaker'sMom]

Hey everyone! So I am a new bird owner (canary) and have had my bird for about two months. I rescued my little girl from crowded and filthy conditions (she was housed in a small cage with finches). After obtaining her, I took her to an avian vet and he determined that she was in good health. He did not perform any swabs, fecals, etc...the exam was primarily visual. Recently, I noticed my bird making a snuffling noise and exhibiting other tell-tale symptoms of air sac mites (slight tail bobbing, head shaking, hoarse chirp). She started molting when I brought her home, as she was exposed to sunlight and a natural light cycle (her ex-owner kept her in a garage). I'm assuming that the molt and the stress of changing environments may have triggered the mites. I have given her a dose of SCATT and think that she is improving a little (it's been two days). Here are my questions:
-Do I need to purchase a special cleaner for her cage? Or can I use a vinegar solution in water? I will be spraying and rinsing her cage and toys soon (we are moving right now which is why it has to wait a few days )
-Should I also treat with an antibiotic? She is still snuffling here and there. If she doesn't fully improve in a week, I will have to go another route and want to be prepared. I have heard that once the ASM's are treated, it is advised to treat with an antibiotic in the event that there is a residual infection.
I know ASM's are something many of you have dealt with, and I appreciate your experience and advice.

[Martie]

Sorry your little bird is having problems! It sounds to me as if the Scatt is working - and I will let others chime in on whether you need an antibiotic.

As far as your cage, I can say that Vetafarm's Avian Insect Liquidator (AIL) is wonderful. It's safe to use around - and even on - the birds and has a residual effect.

I don't think there is any special cleaner that works to eradicate air sac mites, so simply keeping the environment very clean and some AIL should do the job just fine.

Good luck with her - hoping for continued recovery.

[debbie276]

-Do I need to purchase a special cleaner for her cage?

ASM are transmitted via fluids, mouth to mouth (feeding chicks) and possibly through water dish but the ASM don't live in the cage like external mites do, they can not live long outside of a host.

If you don't see an improvement within 48 hours you may be looking at a respiratory infection and not ASM.

[ranchnanny]

I give all my birds S76 which I get from LadyGouldians online. I mix it in their water several times a year.
Hope all turns out well.

[Beaker'sMom]

Thank you so much for the replies! I am going to be following up with the vet on Friday. She is much better today it seems, zooming around the cage, pecking at her toys, and carrying her CareFresh around in her beak (she loves flinging it around). She is still expelling air from her beak occasionally (sort of a tsssst! tsssst! sound), but I'm wondering if she's trying to get rid of the dead/dying mites. Also, her chirp is still pretty hoarse sounding. Other than that, her behavior is normal and her appetite is good. I've been changing her cage litter daily and will be ordering Amoxitex today, just in case. Between the vet visits, medicating, cage cleaning, moving, and molting, I think what she needs the most is good old-fashioned peace and quiet. Fortunately, she'll have plenty starting tomorrow, as we'll be all moved in to our new home.

[Beaker'sMom]

Update: Beaker is doing MUCH better after her first treatment with Scatt. Nearly all of her symptoms have disappeared. The only symptoms that remain are her occasional weird "tongue twirling" and some head shaking. She is no longer sneezing or snuffling, and even started singing for me! Based on the lack of range and variety in her "song" I will continue to assume Beaker is a girl...lol. She will receive her second Scatt treatment on Friday and she will be moved into a new cage with sterilized toys and perches after treatment. I will continue to treat her with Scatt yearly, as I know the mites are never really eradicated. Thanks again for all the great advice.

[Ebichua]

Good to hear! Scatt is great and ever since I had my first ASM encounter a few years ago, I will NEVER go without SCATT while keeping finches or any birds, prone to ASM. It is really a must-have, for all finch/canary keepers.

I'm so happy with the update