IMPORTANT re: bumps on and/or scaling/flaking beaks

[Derk]

In the past I have read a couple posts regarding 'bumps on beak' and or flaky beaks. Yes it could be a normal shedding but you may also want to have a look at this site. Scroll down to beak mites.

https://ladygouldian.com/content/external-parasites-1

I could not copy the text but it states roughly - that there can be a white, yellow, or brownish build-up that will flake off as the mites burrow and the beak grows.

It might be worth having a very close look.

Please also note it is possible for one bird to have mites and not the others. Such was the case with a zebra finch of mine. His buddy was fine even though they preened and shared a nest.

[debbie276]

Here's a link to pictures of scaley mite, it's much different then the normal beak flakes that you see now and then.

Scroll down towards the bottom of the page
https://ladygouldian.com/node/223

[cindy]

there are a few different species of mites and there are also lice as well.

Scaly mites are burrowing mites... they can be on your bird for 6 months to a year before you can visibly see the sign your bird has them. One bird could visibly have signs and the other not but may actually have them as well but in actuality they may very well have them as well. The best way to prevent a future issue is to do a preventative with every bird you bring home. Best to treat all birds in the cage with a bird that has scaly mites at the same time as the one with visible signs. Most tend to just treat only the bird that has visible signs of scaly mites and not the cage mates only to find they have the cage mates show signs of the mites later.

Some use s76, others like Scatt and Ivermectin %. Scatt and Ivermectin 1% are topical, our vet recommends 1 drop to the back of the neck for a total of 3 treatments, each treatment is 14 days apart. This is contrary to what the directions say on Scatt but by doing the 2 follow up treatments you will have broken the life cycle of the mite. (same method for treating for ASM).

Once this treatment is done, according to our avian vet and two other avian vets the bird should not need further preventative doses during the year unless you introduce a new bird that is carrying it and you did not treat that bird in quarantine and that bird infects the already established birds.

You might question the multiple treatments but vets are now seeing re-occurring cases after only one dose... some are questioning whether there might be some resistance (mites building a resistance) to the products used/over used since some tend to use these as preventative throughout the years on a regular basis months apart. According to vets this is unnecessary if you do the preventative treatments in quarantine before the birds are introduced into your flock. once the bird is treated with the 3 doses each dose 14 days apart you should not need to do preventatives any more.

Scaly mites are passed by close contact from one bird to another unlike feather mites which will seek out a meal on any bird in the cage. Scaly mites are often passed from parent bird (if infested) to baby bird in the nest.

Clean up for scaly mites in the cage is just general cleaning, as you would for you cleaning daily...include wiping down perches.

Topical treatments are often recommended for scaly mites (and ASM) since topicals are absorbed directly into the skin to the blood stream and not going through the stomach and liver as orals do.

Regarding ASM...I did ask if gouldians carry or are born with ASM and our vet said no, the issue is it was never properly gotten rid of to begin with, the cycle was not broken so it is passed from parent to young or to other flock members. By the time you hear your bird has it the bird has already had it for some time.

[Derk]

cindy
Thanks Cindy. My vet has only recommended two tretments with ivermectin; however, she has mentioned there seems to be more and more mite infections each year. I think you are likely dead on about the resistance. I agree about not treating for mites preventatively.

It was my vet who said one bird could have mites and not the other. She examined the two buddies several times and it was only the one. I did keep them quarantined for another year believe it out not. I was worried about a re-occurrence with the one bird that had already been infected. I am assuming that the vet was thinking of a mite more similar to demodex in young/very old/immune compromised dogs/cats perhaps??? Once they are healthy, their immune system is able to deal with the problem.

You were right to clarify that normally such would not be the case. As I mentioned, there could be more than one type of mites involved. I'll have to ask my vet and see what she says. I did a quick google search and quite a few sites state all mammals including birds get mange but they did not state anything specifically about demodex. I have a bunch of veterinary texts left over from school. I should dig them up and refer the parasitology sections for birds. I do not think we spent more than a couple minutes on this topic at the time.

[Derk]

debbie276

I am familiar with the types of pictures you linked to, but the ones I provided the link to were not so obvious. Perhaps closer to the beginning of an infestation?

I should have added that I was not implying all those birds mentioned previously had mites. I just thought it was something that might want to be considered if the beak did not seem to be returning to a more 'normal' appearance. I was so surprised to see the similarity to flaking. I had only seen pictures like the ones you linked to, or the beak of the bird I had. Her spot was only about 1/8" square and just looked pale with some very tiny holes.

[debbie276]

The mites are different in that it will burrow holes and trails in the beak and the beak appears rough, uneven and discolored at times. There almost always is feather loss.
Flaking of the beak doesn't cause feather loss and the beak will still be smooth.
When examining a bird I find a magnifying glass to be extremely handy. You will see things much more clearly and if looking for possible strings or hairs wrapped around toes it's a must.

[cindy]

They make magnifying glasses with stands so you can look at the bird more closely using both hands, it does help.

[Derk]

cindy
Have you ever tried a head loop with a magnifier lens attached?

[Sally]

I have a magnifying glass that hangs around my neck, leaving both hands free. It even has a small area that offers even more magnification. I got it at a craft store, it is often in the area where they sell cross-stitching supplies.

[cindy]

cindy
Have you ever tried a head loop with a magnifier lens attached?

I wear glasses for reading and an added magnifying glass does nicely when trying to look closer at an issue.

[cindy]

I have seen those also, Sally.... good idea!! mine is on a stand, I used it for very fine pen and ink illustrations.

[Derk]

Sally
My mother has what you are describing. I believe I can get them from Michael's craft store.