Possible Air Sack mites in Gouldian - treatment in Toronto?

[Jasmin]

Hi everyone,

I have a Gouldian hen that was passed down to me as a rescue.
I've had her for about 6 months now (had her in quarantine and she seemed fine) but now and I suspect she has Air Sack Mites.

Symptoms I saw yesterday and today: heavy breathing, "coughing", clicking sounds coming from mouth, puffed up 90% of the day, sleeping during the day, not eating a lot.

Unfortunately I'm new to Gouldians and any information I have about treating Air Sack mites is from this forum and the internet.

Can someone confirm for me the symptoms are Air Sack mites and let me know where I may be able to get the medication in my area..? (around Toronto, Canada).

She's also going through a partial moult and laying eggs on the bottom of the cage ... over the weekend I thought maybe the two are taking a toll on her energy level, but she is definetly having respiratory problems.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks in advance

[ranchnanny]

What I would do is get a heat lamp over her asap then I would treat with S76 in the water. A breeder I got mine from puts a drop of S76 under the wing. I put the drop on the back of the neck. Hope this helps.

[Sally]

This link was posted by debbie 276 on another thread, and it gives a way to diagnose air sac mites that is much better than just by the normal clinical signs.

From the Coyote Creek Aviary web site:
http://www.geocities.com/bjbills1/ASM.html

[Brette]

Gently pick her up and put her next to your ear. If when she breathes you hear a what sounds like soft clicking, it's air sack mites. I always use a product called SCATT that can be bought on ladygouldianfinch.com. If you want to buy it locally, i would contact a finch breeder in your area and ask where they buy it. I can't seem to find a canadian site where it's sold. I bought mine at a bird show.

I does the trick every time. Works very well.

Give your finch some finely crushed egg shells while she is laying eggs so she doesnt become calcum depleted.

[Jasmin]

Thank you so much - I can't find anywhere to buy Scatt or S76 in my area, but I'll order it online right now.

I have one more question for anyone who can answer: the Gouldian male this hen was housed with before I quarantined her yesterday has suddenly lost about 80% of his voice today. He's trying his hardest to sing, but whatever is coming out is raspy and faint.

Is this a symptom of Air Sack mites..?

The poor guy!

I love these Gouldians, but they are so darn sensitive!
And I'm no vet

[lovemyfinch]

Send a pm to L in Ontario, she will put you in contact with someone in Toronto, I actually ordered my first bottle of Scatt through Liz.

Sally let us know in another thread that Lorraine from Lady Gouldian in presently in the hospital recuperating so I don't think that ordering from her now would be in your best interest, but like I said Liz will let you know the exact name of the store where she buys it in Toronto.

[Jasmin]

Thanks Janine!
I just read that thread about Lorraine, but didn't put two and two together!
I'll send Liz a msg - she's helped me out lots in the past!

I'll keep you posted and I hope these little guys hang in there until I get some meds!

[PrettyBird]

I think if you go on morning bird website it has a list of distributors. Maybe there is one in your area.

I didnt knw that at the time, so I ordered s76 from Lady Gouldian. But now if I need medications, I know the person who sells it in my city

[L in Ontario]

Hi Jasmin - take a quick trip to Woodbridge (Islington Ave & Steeles Ave West). There is a pet and supply store called: "Vince's Pet Centre". Talk to Casey and tell him Liz from Barrie sent you. He'll have your Scatt and anything else you need.

Address is:
91 Friuli Court
Woodbridge
phone 905-856-0426

You may phone ahead to make sure he hasn't run out of stock before you make the trip.

Good luck.

[Jasmin]

Thanks Liz!!!!
You're always a step ahead!
This store is almost on my way home from work - I'll give them a call tonight!
Hopefully the Scatt will do the trick!

[Cath1068]

The scatt worked wonders for my goulds where as the s76 just masked it a bit. I hope they feel better soon and i do believe that your male with loss of voice may have them as well.

Cath

[L in Ontario]

I think Casey works from 10 to 5 or 6pm so you may have better luck reaching him in the morning.

[Jasmin]

Sad news update:

My hen passed away today.
I knew this morning things weren't looking good when I went in the cage to give her fresh food and she slept through it...

I did locate a bottle of Iverlux that I'm picking up tomorrow to treat the male. He's still eating/drinking, but he's lost almost all his voice and I can tell breathing is getting harder. I 'hope' it's ASM and that with the Iverlux he'll get better...

Scatt and S76 are not available anywhere in my area. I'm quite baffled.

I do have one other Gouldian pair who also shared a cage with this hen for about 2 weeks, about 3 months ago. They've since had a clutch and are sitting on eggs again.
I should treat them with Iverlux as well..?
Is the Iverlux safe for juries/nesting parents?

So sad, and I really should have been more prepared. It happened so quickly..

[L in Ontario]

I'm so sorry to hear this Jasmin. I didn't expect her to pass so soon either.

Did Casey not have any Scatt? I have always seen it behind the counter. He should have been able to offer something else if he didn't have the Scatt.

I don't know anything about Iverlux - hopefully someone else can offer advise for that product.

[Jasmin]

Casey didn't have any Scatt... He said it's banned in Canada now and he didn't restock for that reason.
He had one last bottle of Iverlux and he read the label to me over the phone: it's supposed to do the same job as the Scatt.

I'm picking it up tomorrow and hopefully it won't be too late for the male to get better!

I'm hoping for the best!

Thanks again for your help!