FINCHforum

Background:
Last year I bought:
1 pair zebras
1 pair societies
1 pair gouldians

The zebras are on one room with the rest being in another room.
Each pair in their own cage.

I have never, ever noticed any signs in any of the birds having air sac mites.

However...
I have two society babies (this is the second clutch) who are two weeks(+) out of the cage and are eating on their own.
Three days ago one of the baby societies is breathing like a fish (mouth open/close/ etc) and yesturday I did notice a clicking sound.

So this leads me to believe he has air sac mites...

BUT HOW????

If none of my birds have never had or showed signs of air sac mites how did this ONE baby get it?
Does this mean the parents have them and passed it on???

I dont know what else it could be....
at first I thought maybe he got something stuck in his throat...til I heard the clicking.

Im going to start treatment with S76 when I get home for all the birds just to be sure.

Any other suggestions?

I had this happen to me also. Had the same birds for years without introducing anybody new. Parents raised several clutches and then same thing, noticed heavy breathing so I thought respiratory infection and started a course of antibiotic. Semi cleared up just to come back so I treated with S76 and gone.... never did advance to the clicking .I hadn't even expected air sac mites but now I am sure that is what claimed 1 clutch, though I was able to save the parents. I treated everyone and now I treat every 6 months wether they need it or not.
I guess they are like people with a diesease...some are carriers while others subcomb to the sickness. Not sure, but hope your birds recover soon.

Thanks Candace....
This has me in a tizzy as it was least expected.
Im going full treatment with all birds with the S76.

I just ordered more of the S76 and I guess I will just make it part of our maintenance plan to treat every 6 months whether its needed or not.

I think it is good to do S76 or something similar on a maintenance basis. Air sac mites are most prevalent in Gouldians and canaries, but they can turn up in many species of finch. It is so easy to treat preventatively, yet can devastate a flock when untreated.

The society baby seems to be not 'gasping' as much but is still opening/closing its mouth some.
Im wondering how long before he will stop doing that???

Also what happens to the dead mites?
Do they cough them out?

It is important to follow mite tratment with an antibiotic treatment. The dead mites may cause an infection. Also I have heard that if it is an extremely bad infestation the dead mites can block the airways and cause death (very much like too many dead heartworms blocking the heart of a dog and causing death or permanent damage)
Let's hope the later is not the case, put him on a broad antibiotic like amoxitrex, baytril, etc...one designed for respiratory infections. Run for 7 to 10 days. Watch for yeast and administer probiotics after treatment. You must repeat the S76 treatment to kill any eggs that hatch out to prevent reinfestation.
It is also advisable to keep the bird in a well heated area during the treatments.
The bird will rid itself of the dead mites by sneezing, wiping his beak, or his body will simple absorb them and discard them through the blood and waste.

Thanks Candace.
Im on it!

Sad to say the baby was dead this morning.
Still absolutely no signs of air sac mites in the other 10 birds but will continue treatment as a preventative just in case.