FINCHforum

I just noticed that my female Gouldian looks puffed up. She's sitting on the perch and it also looks like she's breathing a bit heavy. I'm wondering if she might have airsac mites because I hear clicking once in awhile although I'm not sure if that's what I'm hearing or it's something else. It sounds like my cockatiel when he's drinking water and he either drank too much or went down the wrong way. I only hear him making that noise after he drinks. With the goulds, I hear it once in awhile too but I thought it was just that, since they seemed healthy and eating and singing, etc.

Anyway, I'm worried now about the female and my societies are right next to them. She's been looking kind of scruffy but I figured she is probably molting. It seems like I see some pin feathers on her head it seems different then the male.

1. Should I move them away from the societies?

2. I just ordered some Iverlux, is that recommended??

3. The male seems perfectly fine and is almost done molting and looking so beautiful. He's singing and active and eating, etc. I'm checking on them all day long and just noticed 1/2 hr ago that my female didn't look right.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Renee

I would remove any bird that appears ill and isolate it/them to another cage where it's quiet and use a heat light. I would also treatt ALL the cages with S76 as a preventative measure. Is this a new bird? Have any other birds recently been introduced to the cage. I ALWAYS quarantine and treat with S76 BEFORE I add any new additions to my cages. Good Luck! I HATE it when any of my birds start acting "off"!

I don't know what to think. Now she looks ok and she's eating and flying around. I hate to treat when I'm not sure exactly what it is, on the other hand they have been making that noise but I'm not sure what clicking is suppose to sound like. That med is expensive too but I guess it's good to have even if they don't have it? I guess. sigh..
I just wish I knew for sure.
Renee

Coop,

I don't have a spare cage to put her in. I bought the pair together about 3mos ago. No other birds are with them. My societies are in a separate cage. Is S76 better then the Iverlux? I had placed an order with Fairest finches last night for other supplies and just added this to my order. I didn't see any other meds for airsac mites.

Renee

S76 and Iverlux are about the same thing. If you are going to have Gouldians, especially, it is good to preventatively treat them for air sac mites. Don't look at it like you are giving an antibiotic just in case, this is a totally different type of treatment--sort of like giving your dogs heartworm medicine, or worming your horses every 2 or 3 months.

Follow the manufacturer's treatment schedule (could be 2 days a week for 3 weeks), and then set up your own preventative schedule. Most breeders do this treatment 3 or 4 times a year, even if they don't suspect air sac mites.

I would put a heat lamp, or even just a 100w incandescent bulb, on one end of the cage, so she can warm herself if she wants, but she needs to be able to get away from the heat if she feels too warm. And as Coop said, treat all your birds. Air sac mites are found mostly in Gouldians and canaries, but can be found in any species.

Thanks for the explanation Sally! Even though my female seems fine now and it might just be me being paranoid, I still will get the meds and like you said good to keep as a prevenative and I do plan to get new birds in the future so it will definetly be good to have on hand anyway.

I'll get a light/ heatlamp set up, My husband has something or other he uses for work down in the garage.


Should I treat my Societies and cockatiel too? Even the babies when they fledge??

Thanks again,
Renee

Renee,

If you ordered the s76 I would put it in all the birds water. I use this preventatively every three months. I treat all birds in my aviary.

If you heard a clicking sound it could be air sac mites. Birds have a way of being sick, looking well, looking sick again. I think if you give it this medication it should be fine. I would not take a chance if it had it or not.

Go again and treat the birds anyway to be safe as Sally said.

Good luck and keep us posted.!

Hi Donna,

Yeah I am going to get it, although it's the Iverlux by Morning Bird but Sally said it's very similar to the S76. I had just placed an order anyway so just added it to the order instead of trying to find the S76 some place else.

I hear the noise with both of them and have for some time now. I always wondered what it was but figured they look good and are eating. I keep such a close eye on them since they are right off the kitchen I must look at them about 100 times a day. This was the first time my female looked a bit off.

Anyway, better to be safe then sorry, and it will be good to have for any new birds I get too.

Renee

I'm still waiting for the meds to come. I don't know if you all are familar with the Iverlux treatment but just wondering if I should treat my societies and the babies as well? Some say I can add to the drinking water and then some say to add topically to each indivdual bird. I rather not do that it's for 5 days straight.

Also, don't know if I should treat the societies and their babies? Some say it's ok to treat them and the babies, and some say it's not a good idea. Very confusing!! LOL

Anyway, she still seems ok except looking scruffy which I'm thinking she's going through a moult now and maybe that agrivated the mites?

Renee

I've never used Iverlux so I can't offer any advice. I hope they get through their moult quickly!

Do you guys notice I sometimes say things two times, LOL! I've noticed that a lot in my posts. Must be losing my mind

Renee

Nope, I never noticed, Renee. I never noticed. I never noticed. I never... (aw I'm just teasing). Honest!