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Symptoms of what, exactly?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 10:05 am
by redcomrade3
I have 12 zebra finches in a very large aviary.

Most of the birds seem to be very itchy, and some of them sound like they're wheezing or making a soft cry (it sounds depressing) but only a few times throughout the day. I just saw a mother excrete a green-milky liquid. I'm thinking the wheezing might be because of air-sac mites, but I'm not sure because they never "click." I tried spraying them with mites/lice spray twice a week but that never works. Most of them have perfect looking feathers, except for the two younger ones (still growing up) which look all messed up. I'm not sure if I could solve all their problems by putting S76 in their water, or if I should treat each one individually. I'm nervous to continue spraying them because it's impossible for me to "avoid" their eyes like it says on the bottle. I don't know how they expect you to avoid spraying their eyes if the mist goes all over them. The ones that wheeze/cry make me nervous, and I can't point out which ones they are.

What should I do?

Re: Symptoms of what, exactly?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 11:50 am
by BigBear0007
Do the S76 in the water and maybe a drop on the back of the neck.
It needs to get into the air passages and their sytem to kill the mites!

Re: Symptoms of what, exactly?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 12:02 pm
by cindy
I would discontinue the sprays and treat as Jerry suggested. If these are sprays like you buy at the pet store using them twice a week is to much, it could be irritating the skin.

Re: Symptoms of what, exactly?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 12:33 pm
by debbie276
I just saw a mother excrete a green-milky liquid. I'm thinking the wheezing might be because of air-sac mites, but I'm not sure because they never "click."
green-milky liquid is not good and I'm pretty sure it's not ASM
I believe it could be bacterial or fungal form what I remember reading.

Re: Symptoms of what, exactly?

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 5:17 pm
by cindy
It could possibly be a parasite such as giardia...parasites (internal can cause skin itching and loose droppings. Have you ever done any type of preventitive such as Ronex 12% when you brought your birds home?

http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/product_ronex12.php

Deworming of any kind?

http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/product_wormaway.php

this article is in regards to parrots but finches can also be affected.

http://www.quakerparrots.com/health/fea ... n-parrots/

"Pruritis: “Itchy Bird,” caused by:
Internal parasites such as roundworms and tapeworms
Giardia infections (can trigger severe skin irritation)
Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections of the skin and feathers"