Beak issue- is this ok?

[dayhiker]

I hope these are better pictures.

Hi guys,
Purchased 3 gouldians from ne vendor at a bird fair and noticed this.

They are in isolation currently. All are happy active and eating well on bird seed, millet spray and some greens. I have ng powder inherit water currently and sprayed them with insect liquidator. No diarrhea poppies that I noticed.

I did not ask the question because I did not note that the beak deformity or abnormality could be significant; about medications or illness. Could this be scaly beak or a more infestation? None of the other birds have the same affliction.

And of course now I am at work and cannot get great pictures or examine closer,so it's more frustrating.

Should I treat with s76? - and how often? Trim with an Emory board? Just watch for several weeks in quarantine?

Thanks for all your help.

Ed

[MiaCarter]

Well that's very curious isn't it!

I've never seen beak mites look quite like that.
It's rather strange, huh?
It definitely seems it's on the beak rather than part of it. Esp when you look at the spot where it meets the red tip of the beak. It's a hard line where the red meets the abnormal area. If it was part of the beak/a deformity, then I'd expect to see a normal, gradual transition from red to the white beak. Does that makes sense? In other words, if you took a normal gouldian beak and made it bumpy, you would still have the same gradual transition from the red tip to the rest of the beak. This has a hard line, though, which makes it seem like it's an addition --- like something on the beak. But then again, the photos could just be deceptive in this regard.
It looks almost as though you could chip it or peel it off and it would be healthy beak underneath.
I might be tempted to take a pair of cuticle nippers and see if it just chips/peels off.

I'd probably do a topical S76 treatment on this guy's beak.
It's supposed to be 1x day for 10 days.
I have a writeup with all the details if you need it; I know some bottles don't come with the full directions: http://wp.me/p4JWrl-5n
You mentioned the others had good beaks but any other signs of a problem, like scaly legs?

Do you have the breeder's number? If so, I'd give him/her a ring.

[finchmix22]

I agree with Mia that it seems to be something on top of the beak and yet, all I can think is was the beak injured? Is this like a scar on the beak from injury? Or, is there a fungal growth of some form. My avian vet told me there are some diseases and infections that can cause a beak to grow abnormally or look abnormal and there are some genetic defects that can cause beak deformity too. She definitely warned me not to trim abnormal beak growths because they could be a disease and the vet would want to see that first. Also, whatever is on the beak could still be part of the beak and I'd worry trimming it might cause pain. The only part of beaks or nails we want to trim is when they are long and not anywhere near the blood supply.

[finchmix22]

There are other possibilities that need to be checked, such as sarcoma or skin/beak tumor growths. Some can be cancer and others just abnormal growth of the cells. An Avian vet would do a scraping to send to lab or in house lab analysis to determine which treatment would be best, such as fungal or dermatitis cortisone treatment etc.

Here is a link with more information about beak health and possible causes of illness or abnormality.
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm ... 9&aid=2752

[debbie276]

Sure does look like you could peel it off, have you tried?
For scaly mites on a beak you should apply S76 undiluted or Scatt once a week for 6-8 weeks or until the scaly patches fall off.

https://ladygouldian.com/S76-air-sac-mite-treatment
When treating scaly mites, you should apply the undiluted S76 with a Q-tip or cotton bud one day each week for 6-8 weeks directly to the affected skin, taking precautions to keep it out of the eyes and nostrils. The same day each week you should administer the S76 in the drinking water.

https://ladygouldian.com/Scatt-air-sac-mite-control
DIRECTIONS for treating Scaly Face and Leg mites: This treatment may take up to 6 weeks. I apply the drop to the skin, as described above, one time, and then again 3 weeks later. After applying this first drop, I place a drop or two onto a cotton bud (Q-tip) and gently wipe it across the affected area. If the mite infestation is on the face, take care not to get any liquid into the eyes or mouth.

[MiaCarter]

Another thought....

Do you know if the bird has been around any sort of food items or similar that could account for the spot?

I can't think of any food that would look like that, but it's certainly possible, especially if he doesn't bathe often.
So I'd make sure it's not something attached to the beak. Like some dried up food or similar. A damp cotton ball and some cuticle nippers and it will be quite obvious whether it flakes right off.

And as Deborah said, it could very well be something fungal or cancerous or the result of a disease process So if it doesn't come right off, I'd let it be.
I'd probably treat with a round of S76 and watch it in that time to see what it's doing. If, by the end of the 10 days, it's still there and not getting better, I'd get it checked out.

[dayhiker]

Well that's very curious isn't it!

I've never seen beak mites look quite like that.
It's rather strange, huh?
It definitely seems it's on the beak rather than part of it. Esp when you look at the spot where it meets the red tip of the beak. It's a hard line where the red meets the abnormal area. If it was part of the beak/a deformity, then I'd expect to see a normal, gradual transition from red to the white beak. Does that makes sense? In other words, if you took a normal gouldian beak and made it bumpy, you would still have the same gradual transition from the red tip to the rest of the beak. This has a hard line, though, which makes it seem like it's an addition --- like something on the beak. But then again, the photos could just be deceptive in this regard.
It looks almost as though you could chip it or peel it off and it would be healthy beak underneath.
I might be tempted to take a pair of cuticle nippers and see if it just chips/peels off.

I'd probably do a topical S76 treatment on this guy's beak.
It's supposed to be 1x day for 10 days.
I have a writeup with all the details if you need it; I know some bottles don't come with the full directions: http://wp.me/p4JWrl-5n
You mentioned the others had good beaks but any other signs of a problem, like scaly legs?

Do you have the breeder's number? If so, I'd give him/her a ring.

hi Mia- thanks for your input. curious indeed. seems like a hyperkeratosis; overgrown beak or ON the beak as you had described. Im tempted to peel it right off, or use an emory board on it to scrape it.

I have sent a message to the breeder but he has not responded yet. I started applying S76 to the beak yesterday, and gave the first dose of s76 in the water this morning. The other birds i purchased are in the same cage and will thus get the same water treatment.

Ed

[dayhiker]

finchmix22- Deborah, i am soooo tempted to peel it off or scrape if but i am concerned about causing unnecessary pain and bleeding. Thanks for the bird education links, too. Much appreciated!

Ed

[dayhiker]

debbie276- thanks Debbie for the information. once i have enough courage to gently manipulate without inflicting pain, i will try.

Ed