Antibacterial mouth wash

[Jeff McKee]

I have a bird, that for several months was suffering from something on his face. Feathers coming off, scratching his eyes... it seemed maybe even eye lid damage. No one else was having any problems.

- considered mites - talked to some buddies, I clean every day, and should have seen a mite or two around...
- gave a little dose of the medicines I have on hand (no result)

Called another buddy. He asked me (for the umpteenth time) if I was bathing my birds regularly.

"No, I'm too busy."

I further explained that the bird was feeding chicks. Then my buddy was determined to that I try the mouth wash.

"Put antibacterial mouth wash in their water. Have them bath in that. Do this for all your birds regularly."

So, I targeted this bird, and another bird that has HORRIBLE feet.

I smeared the mouth wash on his head around his eyes, and within a couple days some pin feathers started to show. 10 days have gone by, he appears to be on the road to recovery.

The guy with the feet, (he gets thick scaly feet, like extra skin growing on his feet). I removed his metal leg band six weeks ago. Then I was removing the plastic band. He seemed in danger of losing legs. I had been periodically applying antibiotic ointment (like we use for a cut). I'm forgetting the name of the salve. Anyway, after you put the salve on, then stuff would stick (seeds, dirt, poop...) to his feet. So, after about 10 days, he still has awful feet, but they are a little better. His legs are looking better. I dip the feet in the water/antibacterial bath and work them over gently (must seem awful rough to him), towel them, wash them again, towel them... and then try to get him back into the cage on a perch, so his feet are clean. I would say that there is some progress.

I'm also quickly becoming a believer in water bottles and using similar bottles for seed. This reduces fecal matter in food and water. A quick dip in water/bleach and a rinse, and you know they're clean.

So, if you have a bird with sore something, don't be afraid to try ANTI-BACTERIAL MOUTH WASH!

[cindy]

Antibacterial mouthwash is risky, what is the birds drink the bath water it contains alcohol and it s not recommended for humans to ingest it...it can be used as a topical but if the birds ingest it the antibacterial mouth wash can not tell good bacteria from bad within the bird...it can cause issues in the digestive tract. Also if ingested by a bird you do not know how the bird will metabolize it. It can also burn sensitive skin, tissue, eyes.

Try clean fresh water...that is the best bath. Mist your bird with a plant mister, it will encourage them to preen. Skip the mouthwash....better yet for the brand you use, pull up the MSDS sheet on it...it will provide you with the warnings regarding ingestion. Or ask you avian vet's advice.

[Jeff McKee]

There's no alcohol in the Crest Pro-Health, that I've been using. I didn't emphasize that it was highly diluted.

I have used avian veterinarians. I'm fortunate to have a University Hospital near by. The vet was happy to see a cage bird for a change of pace. Only 1,000,000 people live within 30 minutes of his facility. Most people do not use veterinarians, unfortunately.

[fhgwgads]

I have heard of using medicated mouthwash as a topical pesticide for mites in rodents applied with a q-tip carefully avoiding eyes and mucous membranes and cleared with clean water.. but that is in extreme situations. I wouldn't provide it to them in a situation where they could ingest it or come into contact with it on their own accord. They would not normally encounter it in nature and may not know it is dangerous to them. I know my birds will poop in their freshly changed water and then bathe in it.. so I would be afraid to add anything. The mouthwash may work at ridding them off mites or bacteria.. but then again a lot of things could. I would assume bleach would help get rid of mites but I wouldn't apply it to any animal. As suggested I would investigate the hazards and be extremely careful. There are other ingredients in mouthwash that may be harmful to birds that may not seem dangerous right away. Just because they do not have an instant reaction or immediate symptoms doesn't mean it is safe for them. If you do topically apply it I would thoroughly clear it with water and then provide clean water for them to bathe in.. or look into an avian approved water additive that is safe to be ingested. Maybe there are natural products with antiseptic properties that are safe to use.. you could try consulting with a vet that specializes in birds. Good luck with your birds.. I hope they continue to recover!

[cindy]

I would still review the MSDS sheet on ingestion, even if bathing the birds preen the liquid off their feathers and can ingest it...I would use clean fresh water.

See section IV first aid measures.... http://www.pg.com/productsafety/msds/he ... rgreen.pdf And this is regarding human use

Without an avian vets approval I would not recommend putting hum grade mouth wash diluted in bath water until you know exactly what it is doing to them internally if ingested and especially if your birds bathe in it, drink it then feed it to young.

The use of mouthwash in birds water is an old time thing before other avian products were created...stick to avian products only.

Crest MSDS sheets for products....http://www.pg.com/productsafety/search_ ... t=1&num=10

[cindy]

the product you are using according to the MSDS sheet contains glycerin..."The substance may be toxic to kidneys. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage." http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927350

I would not let the birds ingest it. Again, each species whether it is dog or cat, human or bird metabolize things differently, unless this is approved to use a human mouthwash on your birds and especially if there is a potential for ingestion often as your friend recommends to use it....I would avoid t and opt for a hook on bath with clean fresh water.

[cindy]

try this for external parasites..it is for birds

ladygouldian.com

"KD Water Cleanser is preferred as we know it is safe and effective in killing external parasites on birds"

http://ladygouldian.com/KD-Water-Cleanser

[monotwine]

By all accounts it sounded like your birds had scaley mites. You would not see these without using a microscope/skin scrape as they bury themselves below the skin and feed off the birds that way. Scatt treatment / Moxidectin in their water would have done the trick provided you did a follow up treatment as recommended.

I have heard old timers use mouthwash, but that was in the days before the better products we get now. Hey they also used to give their birds blocks of cement for their calcium needs, but I prefer liquid calcium now. Much better for their tummies.

Obviously you were trying the very best for you birds and were careful, but I would also not recommend mouthwash as a first port of call.

[debbie276]

By all accounts it sounded like your birds had scaley mites.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

[debbie276]

I have used avian veterinarians. I'm fortunate to have a University Hospital near by. The vet was happy to see a cage bird for a change of pace.

I don't know why you wouldn't ask the avian vet about this and/or have him diagnose your birds problem.

[Sally]

I have heard old timers use mouthwash, but that was in the days before the better products we get now. Hey they also used to give their birds blocks of cement for their calcium needs, but I prefer liquid calcium now. Much better for their tummies.

So true. There are many old-time remedies out there, some good and some not so good. But before we had Morning Bird and all the other bird product companies, aviculturists often had to make do with what they had in their cupboards. I may be wrong, but I think the first bird-specific medications/supplements were developed for pigeons, and some finchkeepers still get many of their supplies from pigeon companies. In some countries where they can't get ivermectin/moxidectin specifically for birds, aviculturists use the medications developed for cattle/horses, just diluted down a LOT.