Java finch with chalky build-up around her eyes

[Lilyzmum]

Advice please! My elderly (8yrs) Java Finch (lone cage bird) has developed a chalky, white build-up around her eyes that seems to be forming into a horn-like shape. She doesn't seem to be bothered and is behaving/eating/drinking normally. She's had it before but to a very minor degree and I was advised it was nothing to worry about and it would go away, which it did. But this time it seems to be getting a little worse each day. I'd like to avoid putting her through the trauma of the vets if at all possible as she isn't used to being handled or to travelling. Is there anything I can do for her in the first instance that might help? Does anyone know what this is? The pet shop owner I spoke to didn't think it was anything to worry about, but now I think I might have been badly advised. Thank you for any advice!

[wildbird]

It looks like a scaley mite which has to be treated. Look through the back pages in Health and you will find some information there. Someone else may advise how to treat this also.

[cindy]

could be scaley mites or a fungus/staph, birds can also get conjuctivitis. Can you take her out and get a clear close up of the area?

[cindy]

when it comes to their eyes it is best not to mess around with it and take her to a vet asap... she will be fine, better to have them access her properly and treat her accordingly.

[cindy]

this is not normal and it is something to be concerned about... if you look at the bird the chalky stuff is covering the nares as well, have you tried to clean this off at all. the nares look plugged,it is also on the beak not good. to me it looks like it could be fungal. You need to take the bird to an avian vet and get it treated. Birds that have had exposure to scaly mites can also develop secondary issues such as staph, fungal or sinus complications. The mites get into the skin and areas around the beak leaving openings in the skin.

The vet will do a scaping to determine what the issue is and tell you the right course of action to take. The bird will be fine if you put her in a small covered travel cage. Better address this, it is pretty advanced.

[cindy]

Sent this off to a gal with avian vet med training...mites. She stated.... Is there anything on the feet? Am thinking like you that it might be mites. The center top of the beak is depressed and looks like something along the side at the base.

If they have some Ivermectin 1% they could try the dot on under the wing or to the back of the neck parting the feathers and dropping the drop directly onto to the bare skin for the 3x's, a week apart each dose -- and possibly put a pin-size amount at the top center of the beak with the first dose - but don't put it near the eye.

If they can find some chlorhexidine (unscented without additives, no alcohol in it) 2% solution, they can do the 10:1 mix with water on a cotton ball or q-tip and do a wipe over the beak and eye. This should kill any staph or fungals, and help kill other bacteria if it's scaley mites, as they die off and leave the skin rough. Don't try to remove the growth, it will slough off as the mites die. If it's bacteria/fungal, the chlorhexidine should get it. Any birds in with this one will need to be treated as well.

You will also need to sanitized...soak the cage, perches in bleach and water, anything in the cage needs to be cleaned... once dried you can get AIL (Avian Insect Liquidator) and treat the cages and perches and area around the cage.

[cindy]

Ivermectin 1% can be found in local feed stores..it needs to be drawn up with a needle syringe...they should sell those there as well.

AIL (Avian Insect Liquidator) can be ordered from glamgouldians.com if you are in the states.

[Lilyzmum]

Many thanks for your replies and advice, everyone. Following advice I found elsewhere on the forum, we tried applying vaseline with a cotton bud to the bits around her eyes and the top of her beak. Already by the next morning, one of the 'growths' had dropped off and the other eye was much improved. I think this confirms mites? She found the whole thing rather traumatic, as did we, and I think that is partly because we are nervous amateurs at handling her. We are going to try sourcing the vet meds recommended but ultimately, we will be tracking down a good avian vet in our area to have her properly treated. Many thanks again. I will report back.

[Sally]

Hope you are able to find a good avian vet in your area, the eyes aren't anything to take a chance on. Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on finch care. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier for members to recommend meds that might be available in your area.

[tam]

Beautiful bird hope he feels better . - tam

[cindy]

Many thanks for your replies and advice, everyone. Following advice I found elsewhere on the forum, we tried applying vaseline with a cotton bud to the bits around her eyes and the top of her beak. Already by the next morning, one of the 'growths' had dropped off and the other eye was much improved. I think this confirms mites? She found the whole thing rather traumatic, as did we, and I think that is partly because we are nervous amateurs at handling her. We are going to try sourcing the vet meds recommended but ultimately, we will be tracking down a good avian vet in our area to have her properly treated. Many thanks again. I will report back.

Vaseline is not recommended especially around the eyes and feathers and nares. If there is any type of fungal or bacterial infection the vaseline can trap it in and make cleaning the area more difficult. Discussed the whole vaseline application theory with my avian vet she advises not to do this and it is not a cure.....the leasions (the white chalky substance) may drop off. To clean use the chlorhexidine as stated above. Also wash the feet since if the face itches the bird may scratch the face. Not only can they have scaly mites on the face and feet legs it is not limited to just those areas, check the body and vent. Any open leasions might require an antibiotic. Scaly mites can also get into the sinus via the nostrils (nares) and cause infection and irritation.

[Lilyzmum]

Many thanks, again. it is so difficult to know which advice to follow, but I will stick to the specific great advice I've had here. I have ordered ivermectin and am tracking down some chlorhexidine. Happily, we are also getting much better at handling Lily, so that is better for everyone. I'm in the UK.