FINCHforum

This morning I rescused a Yellow Canary from a horrible situation. I suspected he had air sac mites and indeed he does-bad. He is in a hospital cage after his initial dose of SCATT and AIL. He has heat,fresh veggies etc. and seems to have improved immensely just during the day. My question is, after the air sac mites are killed-where do they go. How does the bird get them out of his resperatory tract,lungs, air sacs and such? Poor Baby

I would imagine that they remain in the lungs and air sacs for some time, then the body eventually absorbs them. That is why in severe cases the bird sometimes dies anyway, even after treatment. Kind of like heartworms in a dog. Good job in trying to save this canary and good luck. Keep us posted. Bob

Oh Dear! I pray he makes it. He is very sweet. =)

You've done a really good thing for the canary by rescuing him. Canaries can be pretty tough birds. I hope he responds to the medication and TLC. Good luck

Thank You for your responses! I think he is doing even better this morning. Here is a pic of him. He was very fluffed up, sick and depressed when I picked him up. When I got him home he ate and ate and ate every veggie I gave him-bell pepper,kale,orange and broccocoli. Here is a pic of him peeking up from his hospital cage food dish and smiling. Of course he is not singing because of the mite infestation, but I was able to visually sex him while I was cleaning him up.

That is one lucky canary!
Kudo's to you for the rescue

What a good deed to start off the new year He's beautiful!

S76 from ladygouldianfinch in California is a great thing to have on hand for air sac mite flare ups. It kills off the mites slowly to avoid mass die off and blocking the airways and killing the bird. You can put it in water which helps treat large flocks at once. I put it in their drinking water and their bath water and it kills everything. Just like spraying but friendlier and less stressful.

What a sweet little canary! Post some more pics, if you don't mind, we'd love to see how he is going!!!

Thank You Zebrafincher. He really is so sweet. He was so sick when I got him he let me just reach in his cage and get him. He is SO much better now! He is more alert and alive,more Canary-like. His breathing is much better and he is not near as puffed up anymore. I am still going to take him to the Avian Vet this afternoon for a full check up. Here are a few more pics. He is enjoying what is probably the first ray of Sunshine he's ever seen. He had just had a bath. He loves to bathe.

Lookin good, best of luck

Canaries are sweet birds! I have an 11 yr old canary, Kevin, who is as tough as old nick, and who currently enjoys the company of two star finches! Good luck with your gorgeous yellow one. Have you picked a name out for him?

I can't imagine how people could treat birds so badly! He'll have a much happier life with you!!

I have always regarded bathing as a very positive sign. I'm sure that he's on his way to recovery. From my experience, birds that are seriously ill, don't put the time or effort into bathing. They're not going to do anything that will further lower their body temperature. Bob

Thanks for the encouraging words. He is still improving. I suspect he may have a secondary respiratory infection as well. Waiting for cultures and such to come back from the A-vet. He cannot sing yet, but has made attempts. Bob, do you think he could be permanently damaged and not be able to sing again, or would an infection cause that also. I read the article you posted on another entry about the respiratory infections and it was very helpful. I'm thinking he may have Strep? Anyhoo...I'll know for sure soon. He sure is a sweet lil' guy.