FINCHforum

I'm hoping that you guys could help me figure out a problem I am currently having with my hen RCCB.

I have noticed a feint clicking emitting from my RCCB's throat. I know that LGs are susceptible to airsack mites. Could my RCCB be afflicted with the same aliment? If so, does anybody know of a good medication that would be useful? Thanks in advance for your help.


caveat: to my knowledge, my hen has not been housed with any LGs. although prior to purchasing her, she was housed with zebras and green singers.

Though Gouldians are the ones most susceptible to air sac mites, other species can have them, too. The best individual treatment is SCATT, which you will have to order online. You apply one drop directly to the bird's skin. Check out this site www.ladygouldian.com for information on air sac mites.

i was wondering: what if my (amateur) diagnosis is incorrect? what are the side effects of SCATT?

also, do you know if there is a significant difference in efficacy between SCATT and s76?

thanks sally.

I have only used Morning Bird's Iverlux, which is similar to S76, so I can't personally compare the efficacy of one over the other. However, the life cycle of air sac mites is 3 weeks, and SCATT lasts in the system for 3 weeks, so you only have to apply it one time, then you can set up a preventative schedule (usually every 3-4 months). Iverlux and S76, which are added to their drinking water, are then diluted, and remain effective for only about a week. That is why you have to treat for 2 days in a row, three weeks in a row, when using those products.

Personally, with only a few birds, I would go with SCATT--catch each bird, apply 1 drop to the skin, release birds, you're done. With Iverlux and S76, the treatment is dragged out for 3 weeks, and you have to make sure they have no other source of water, or the smart little buggers will not drink the medicated water! I just do Iverlux because trying to catch and treat 80+ birds would give the birds (not to mention me!) heart attacks!

hahaha.

cool. thank you for the info sally.

Now, tell me this, should I be using some type of preventative on my birds, or do I wait for ailments? I have never given them anything.. not even the cage blocks they sell. They do have all kinds of food possible, incl. fresh and cooked fruit and/or veggies .. and all the other stuff.. cuttlebone, oyster shell, charcoal, petamine, eggfood, millet, seeds, etc. Just want to make sure they dont get sick because of my ignorance. Thanks in advance.

Pukasand wrote:Now, tell me this, should I be using some type of preventative on my birds, or do I wait for ailments? I have never given them anything.. not even the cage blocks they sell. They do have all kinds of food possible, incl. fresh and cooked fruit and/or veggies .. and all the other stuff.. cuttlebone, oyster shell, charcoal, petamine, eggfood, millet, seeds, etc. Just want to make sure they dont get sick because of my ignorance. Thanks in advance.

Since you don't have gouldians, I would not worry too much about prevenative meds for air sac mites.

Good! Thanks, Donna