Canary with scales on legs

[debbie276]

Just an FYI, S76 is ivermectin
active ingredients:
0.8 grams ivermectin/1 + slippery elm

I would use the S76 because it's for birds, the ivermectin you get at feed stores are for livestock like sheep, cattle and swine and may be too strong a dose for your finch.

[cindy]

I think he said he had that on hand...lots of breeders here use the ivermectin. Personally I would use the more up to date meds on ladygouldian.com

[debbie276]

My tracter supply sells different percentages of ivermectin so I don't think I would chance getting the % that's too high and possibly cause more harm then good. But that's just me

[cindy]

It is mostly the old time breeders, we don't have a great source for medications here, I order most my items from on line. The percentge my friend used was low, one drop to the back of the neck, the birds did fine, then he did follow up treatments. He had over 3 dozen canaries to treat, some had it some did not but all were treated and he did not loose a one.

I think in a dire pinch it would be ok, but from what I recall in pm's with Rancel in the past he has the S76.

[CandoAviary]

The ivermectin in feed stores, including Jeffers is easy to perchase, no script required,
http://www.jefferslivestock.com/product ... V&pn=17186
however as Debbie pointed out this is a very high concentrate and would more than likely kill a finch if you have no idea how to dilute. Even if you do know how to dilute, the liquid used for the dilution would add liquid volume and drench a small bird
Dog heartworm preventative is also formulated with ivermectin...still too strong for a finch.....
Morning Bird Iverlux and S76 both contain the right dosage for finches but are designed to be diluted in water... or only one drop applied to the skin.
http://www.morningbirdproducts.com/product_iverlux.html
Be aware that smearing straight from the bottle could cause an overdose, to cover the legs you would probably use more than one drop.
Most breeders of the past usually went with smothering the mites...if indeed your canary has them. Also back in the day we all used vaseline on the birds...of course we never globbed excess amounts on so that birds could possibly ingest it... a technique of rubbing a small amount between your thumb and index finger so that your fingers were slightly greasey was enough to cover the legs...also in rubbing /massaging the legs the scales would be removed. I had canaries live to their late teens and twenties...so it couldn't have been too harmful. I am sure Russell Kingston has used it successfully too. Even ointments with antibiotic properties are in a petroleum base and used by many breeders today. Even neosporin
http://www.drugs.com/pro/neosporin.html

Even mineral oil can kill a finch if the body feather become wet with oil. This makes the feathers unable to do what they were desined to do... insulate/regulate the body temperature. This is why many seabirds that become covered in oil petroleum oil die... because they get cold and suffer hyperthermia... Once removed from the feathers they usually do fine as long as they were able to feed and didn't get so chilled that they were weakened and susceptable to a respiratory infection.

With any treatment you choose, ivomectin (iverlux or S76), vaseline, or mineral oil... the key is proper dosage and application. If you aren't sure of the correct application maybe consult your avian vet.

[cindy]

It is good they are doing better Rancel. My friend used the Ivermectin and used a very fine dropper to dose the birds. It was a sever case, the birds were shipped in (one of the hazards of shipping from what you hope woulld be an honest person). I was there the next morning to help set up two flights and sex the birds...I noticed it and it was sad. They are all fine now and bouncing off the walls.

Glad you got this undercontrol.