FINCHforum

My RH gouldian hen is making tongue clicking sounds when she goes to bed. Is this another sign of ASM?
In my other post I said she made whistling sounds when she was breathing (when I caught her after she flew around)

The tongue clicking was weird. She would stick her tounge out and lick the side of her mouth then close her mouth and Id hear the clicking with her tongue. She doesnt do this in the day, just at night before bedtime.
ANyone experience this?

I read in an article about the easiest way to check for ASM is when the birds are sleeping. You will here clicking and a raspy whistley noise like a "kid after a temper tantrum" (quote used in the article).

Yes, a definant sign of ASM. Treat soon and if the bird has a heavy infestation you may want to have on hand antibiotics to clear any secondary bacterial infection from the dead mite bodies.
Most times just treating for the motes is enough bit always good to have the antibiotic on hand just in case....

From the Coyote Creek Aviary web site:
http://www.geocities.com/bjbills1/ASM.html

A diagnosis for air sac mites cannot be made based solely on clinical signs. Many finch keepers are quick to initiate air sac mite treatment based on clinical signs of respiratory problems, when indeed the condition could be caused by any number of pathogens or environmental conditions. The signs of air sac mites (open mouth breathing, clicking sounds, sneezing, tail-bobbing, etc.) are also consistent with many other respiratory ailments. Contraindicated treatments will only further compromise an already sick bird and possibly exacerbate the actual problem.

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.

Well I have ordered some S76 from LG. So could take a week or so to come in

Debbie- your right, might not be ASM, could be something else.

Im wondering is it safe to treat with the S76 and see if that cures it. If it doesnt work then its probably something else, and see what else I can do?

I don't' think it would hurt to treat for ASM if you suspect them but I would still be aware that it could be something else if you see no improvement right away.

debbie276~ Thank you for that interesting diagnostic/observation technique. Good stuff! QueenB.