Gouldians and Air Sac Mite Question

cntrymeadow · Post by **cntrymeadow** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 12:02 am

I have a good chance of getting a pair of Gouldians...
My main concern is air sac mites and I know these birds are prone to them.

Seller says she gives scatt every three months.

Is this something that is an ongoing thing and I will have to periodically medicate for?

We also have zebra and society finches and each breed is in their own cage.
Will I also now have to do a preventive medicate to the other birds once I get the Goulds?

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 12:24 am

Here is a link for you check this out http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/featur ... cmites.mgi
I have been useing the S76 as a preventive and I haven't had any problem so far,others will coment on this shortly i think
But the gouldians are well worth it go for it

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:30 am

I treat all my birds every three months with s76. I treat the whole flock because they are in a mixed aviary. s76 is also a great treatment for worms and many other things. I have not had any problem with any type of mites.

I would suggest that if you get these gouldians that you keep them on a prevenative treatment as I am sure others here would suggest the same thing . Some have learned the hard way.

I really don't think it would be necessary to treat the zebras and others. Air sac mites are most common in gouldians and rather rare in zebras, etc.

Get them! It will be worth the trouble and you will love them!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 5:57 pm

I also have all my finches on a 3-month preventive maintenance schedule but I use Scatt (which means I have to catch each bird individually and apply 1 drop to the back of each bird's neck).

Well worth the small effort to be sure none of my birds have air sac mites. AND each new bird that comes into my house is immediately upon arrival placed into quarantine (away from all my current birds - even on a different floor) and Scatt is applied right away.

cntrymeadow · Post by **cntrymeadow** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:33 pm

Thanks for the replies!
I will check out that link.
Im so excited!

Post by **Sally** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 8:45 pm

Since I have quite a few birds, I use Ivermectin in the water to treat for air sac mites. Actually, it is a preventative program. And since I often move birds around to different cages with different cage mates, I treat every bird. It is not expensive to keep the Gouldians on a preventative program, and since the ones you are considering have already been on a program, you should not have to worry about air sac mites. Don't let the worry over air sac mites keep you from getting Gouldians, it is easily preventable.

bonnies_gouldians · Post by **bonnies_gouldians** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:22 pm

it is much better and less nerve racking to keep them on a preventative program than to treat for mites. I am one of those who learned the hardway as I didnt know that they could have the air sac mites or get them that easily. I almost lost one of my females. now everone is on a treatment/prevention program and will remain that way every three months as recommended by the wonderful people on this site!!

jamezyboo21 · Post by **jamezyboo21** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:47 pm

I have to start doing that too. I think i will get some today and start them today.

cntrymeadow · Post by **cntrymeadow** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 10:37 pm

As luck would have it the gal sold all the lg's yesturday.
I just could not get out there soon enough.
I will be on the lookout for more and I agree..
preventative sounds much safer and easier!

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 7:46 am

cntrymeadow wrote:As luck would have it the gal sold all the lg's yesturday.
I just could not get out there soon enough.
I will be on the lookout for more and I agree..
preventative sounds much safer and easier!

oops. Sorry, you missed out on them. I wish you lived closer to me. I have lots of them!

cntrymeadow · Post by **cntrymeadow** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:34 pm

As the saying goes..
when one door closes another opens!

Another chance to get a pair from someone different!
Hopefully by next weekend.