FINCHforum

Hi guys,

Could you please look at the attached photos of my male gouldian's beak and suggest what's wrong with it? Is it normal growth / replacement? Also the area near the nostrils/head is a bit scaly (You may not clearly see it in the photos).

If its some infection or mites, how can it be treated?

Appreciate your help. I am quite new to birds.

- Aily

Here's a link to Laraine's beak and head page:
https://ladygouldian.com/node/223

Just a little past half way down it shows a "Overgrown “fang” on side of beak"

Hope that helps

The beak does look a bit rough and sore along the red feathers, though it may be the picture. A bit of scatt on a q-tip rubbed there might not hurt just in case it is scaly face.

Thanks. That link is very useful.

I have S-76, can I apply it instead of SCATT?

- Aily

Aily wrote: Thanks. That link is very useful.

I have S-76, can I apply it instead of SCATT?

- Aily

Most definitely, apply undiluted S76 using a Q-tip for one day each week for 6-8 weeks or until it looks better.
good luck

debbie276 wrote:

Aily wrote: Thanks. That link is very useful.

I have S-76, can I apply it instead of SCATT?

- Aily

Most definitely, apply undiluted S76 using a Q-tip for one day each week for 6-8 weeks or until it looks better.
good luck

I thought spot on Ivermectin was a one time treatment, only repeated after a couple of weeks in severe cases that don't respond.

Scatt (Moxydectin) stays in the birds system for 21 days so one treatment is all that's required like you said.
S76 (ivermectin) only remains active for 7 to 8 hours, that's why you need to treat multiple times.

For scaly mites I looked up treatments with a web search, some vary but basically:
http://www.finchniche.com/features_scalyface.php

Treatment with S76
Initial treatment is S76 painted on daily for 7 days and in the drinking water for 2 days. Apply undiluted S76 directly to the affected skin using a Q-tip each day for one week and S76 in drinking water for 2 days. Repeat S76 drinking water treatment and one application topically each week until all signs of mite have disappeared (recovery varies from 2-8 weeks depending upon the severity of infection.) Usual cure time is 3-4 weeks with mild infestations. Keep away from eyes & nostrils.

Treatment with SCATT
Apply a drop of SCATT for 30 grams of body weight to the upper part of the thigh one time and then again 3 weeks later. After applying the drop, place several drops onto a Q-tip and gently wipe it across the affected area. Take care when working on the beak not to get any liquid into the bird's eyes & nostrils. Each week thereafter apply the SCATT liquid only to the affected area using the Q-tip method.

If the beak is not mites, I had a Spice and Society finch with the same problem. The vet trimmed the beaks, but they both died soon afterwards. The vet thought there was an infection or vitamin deficiency, but we were not sure. It hasn't happened again. Thank God. I use Quick Gel on beaks or claws if they look rough or peeling. Then, if they still are not recovering, I think about Scatt or Ivermectin. I treat with Scatt for all new finches and Ivermectin for fledges.

Might be a stupid question, but does the bird have access to cuttle bone?

I have seen similar in my Gouldians, not as overgrown as the photo, that they simply filed down themselves.

Aily, is there black and uneven feathering where the beak meets the red feathers? I only mentioned scaly mites because it doesn't look right in the picture. I was thinking that if the beak was sore from scaly mites that may explain why he's not using a cuttlebone or taking care of it himself.

Sunbay: Cuttlebone is always in the cage but i never saw any of the birds going even near to it.

Debbie276: YES.

Another Problem

Another male is also not well. his beak is also a bit scaly and seems decaying from the sides. He does not sing. Instead he makes an awkward chirp (somewhat painful to hear). I started S-76 in water on last friday (friday & saturday for 2 days). the next dose is due on coming friday. But I have not seen improvement in the sound. Should I stop S-76 and try ronidazole straight from here or should I complete the S-76 course first?

He is a white breast beauty and I dont want to loose him. Besides, his hen is also on eggs.

Guys, I am totally a novice. I bought these birds only a month ago and feel lucky to see eggs in the first month, but these diseases are really discouraging.

- Aily

I would continue the S76 and also treat directly with a q-tip to the beak as these directions say for scaly mites:

Treatment with S76
Initial treatment is S76 painted on daily for 7 days and in the drinking water for 2 days. Apply undiluted S76 directly to the affected skin using a Q-tip each day for one week and S76 in drinking water for 2 days. Repeat S76 drinking water treatment and one application topically each week until all signs of mite have disappeared (recovery varies from 2-8 weeks depending upon the severity of infection.) Usual cure time is 3-4 weeks with mild infestations. Keep away from eyes & nostrils.

let us know how they do

Okay. I will continue with S-76.

-Aily

Beak is better. But still no improvement in his voice. Still not singing. Do they stop singing during breeding?

- Aily.

My gouldians sing constantly and even more so during breeding season. He may have to recover more and be in better health before he starts to sing again. Unless he had air ac mites I would think it's just going to be a matter of time.
good luck

Hi guys,

the beak is almost cured. I trimmed a little overgrown fraction of it also. But still his throat seems not clear. He does not sing or chirp as i told. He is doing perfect in all other aspects.

Can his loss of singing be for reasons other than asm?

- Aily