FINCHforum

Boy the first 8 months of owning my beautiful and fun finches was so perfect. I thought, boy this is easy compared to what I had read online. Three birds, one pair having two successful clutches etc. Then, problems started occurring.
Re: Boo (Green Singer)
History: Baby of my first pair of Green Singer finches.
Age: 1yr. old
Problem: First noticed her pulling on her feathers in her chest area. But, her father did this when he was frustrated with a mating situation and when I fixed this (removed the other female from the cage) he returned to normal and there were two clutches as a result. Boo is a result. So, I thought her feather pulling was a result of her being frustrated because she doesn't seem to like the new male I bought for her. I removed her into her own cage at which time I noticed two small bare spots above her beak where the beak extends from the head. I decided I would watch her for awhile. Now, two weeks later, the bald spots have increased in size and additional places around the beak have become sore (see pic 1 &2). Also, there is a bump or nodule on ones side of the beak (see pic 3 & 4). The beak itself seems healthy. I also see that there is a new black place on her chest and when you look beneath it is bare and seems smooth right over her breast bone (see pic 5 & 6).
Her behavior, energy and eating seems normal.
The male I bought for her from the pet store was quarantined for a few weeks before joining her with no apparent problems.
What do you think it is? Are there two different problems or just one? I am confused about treatment
i.e. Scatt vs. S76 vs. ivermectin
This is my first time with this problem. Thank you very much in advance for any help!!!
Okay, I can't figure out how to add the pictures. If someone can advise how to add pictures to a post from a pictures file I will add the pictures. Sorry, I am fairly new and a tech dummy.

Mellew, as a new user, there is a section just for newbies with information about how to post photos, add an avatar, etc. Here is a link to the topic about posting photos, Crystal has outlined three different ways you can post a photo. Once you have posted your photos, it will be easier for members to help you.

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=22448

Okay. Here are the pictures. The first picture still wouldn't upload for some reason (says Fatal Error: allowed memory exceeded) so I tried others and they did upload.
Thank you!

Mellew I am sorry that I don't have any input on the condition.. I am sure some of the more experienced members will be able to provide input and advice. I just wanted to say I am sorry you are going through this.. I hope your poor baby makes out alright. Best of luck with everything and definitely keep us posted on what happens. Hopefully someonee can respond with some idea of what's going on and how to proceed with treatment!

Thank you so much fhgwgads. She is a very sweet and personable bird. Your birds look very sweet and lovely.
I am becoming more confused about which mites are internal and which mites are external and treatments. I thought I could at least start with petroleum jelly to smother the mites, if it is mites, as someone suggested until I can figure out what to buy, but I don't think that would work for internal mites.
Anyone have a suggestion?

This could be scaly face mites. Petroleum jelly might smother them, but you would have to be careful not to get any of it in the nostrils, and it could really get messy on her feathers. SCATT (moxidectin) is a really good treatment for both internal and external mites, so it is good to have a small bottle on hand anyway.

https://ladygouldian.com/Scatt-air-sac-mite-control

External mites are scaly leg and scaly face mites, red (blood) mites, feather mites; internal mites are air sac mites.

After a long day of reading and visiting the pet store. I have diagnosed Boo's condition as scaly face mites. Below is the youtube video that was the most helpful.
He described the holes as being the tell tale sign which is what it looked like two weeks ago. Two little holes above her beak.
I also learned that the bare spot on her chest is normal and all finches have this. I'm the newbie.
Why the black feathers brought it to my attention, I am not sure. It may be that she seems a little underweight right now.
I have ordered the VetaFarm Avimec (probably ivermectin designed for this treatment) from Australia.
I will post before and after treatment pictures given this is successful. It is really not as bad as the very zoomed in pictures I posted above. I think I am catching it early enough so that she will completely recover without deformity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADCYJDSEvCQ

Best of luck, hope it works.
please keep us posted

How bizarre, I seem to be worried about this same thing.. out of the blue.... Thanks for the youtube link. That was helpful.

Good luck and please wish me luck too!

BTW,
You'll need to treat all the finches with Ivermectin, as it is contagious. Good Luck and Welcome!

Maybe it's just me but it really doesn't appear like what I think scaly mite looks like, the beak is so clean and smooth. Maybe you can email Laraine those pictures at http://www.ladygouldian.com and see what she thinks.
She also has a page of pictures to help diagnose health issues on her web site.

Hi.
I haven't gotten a chance to give an update on Boo's condition until now. Below is a link to the first post. (I think it is anyway, as I am trying to use the bump post function). The title of the post is: Help! Diagnosis and Treatment

So, I ordered the Avimec from Australia. I also dabbed petroleum jelly on her face and the side of her beak while waiting for the medicine. The picture below is one week following the petroleum jelly treatment. Her face looks less irritated and small yellow feathers have begun growing back as well as some larger feather quills growing back in the bald spot (click on pic to zoom). The nodule is gone on the side. However, it just feels like the mites will move someplace else. There is a new occlusion on her beak as you can see. Can't say anything about that for sure.
The Avimec arrived in 12 days after ordering. All five birds were treated with one drop per week for three weeks as per the video.
Now, Boo is completely recovered. All birds look and are doing great.
Below is the link to the original post and pictures. I hope this has/will help others sometime.
Yay! A good ending to a story. Makes you love them all the more!

http://www.finchforum.com/posting.php?m ... h=88aca9db

Love happy endings!

I merged the two topics together for continuity. Glad she is doing better.

Mellew what a pretty face! So glad to hear your little baby is doing better!!