OC waxbill - air sac mites?

[kenny66]

Thanks for the replies... If the mites can never be fully eliminated from the respiratory system does that mean all my birds are pretty much going to be affected at some point? I can try to keep on it with preventative treatment down the road... but if this is a never ending problem I need to really consider whether I should be breeding any birds and definitely not selling them to other places.

One more question... does the longer I leave the infection without treatment impact a birds long-term health. I understand the dead mites may never leave their system. If so I need to get on the cordon bleus. I think if I treat them they will abandon their eggs. Should I just foster them to a pair of clean society finches... Will that put the societies at risk or are mites more transfered with food/water dishes.

This whole mite situation is really driving me crazy...
Jen

I have a big aviary and many birds and dont find it a problem.The treated birds will not excrete the mites and once all are treated you have eliminated mites that now exist. Treatment at the recommended dose eliminates them from the aviary. I you treat all birds now irrespective whether they have it or not with the water based treatment or spot on and then move to dosing, whether needed or not every three months you overcome the problem. It is no diferrent to treating dogs or cats for fleas worms and heartworm. Keeping finches is about preventative treatments rather than reacting to an issue once it arises. Any residue mites,if any are usually kept under control by the birds imune system. 3 monthlly doseing makes sure it doesnt become a problem as well as killing any worms present

[kenny66]

Can you treat the cordons in their water and dead mites are excreted so they dont remain in the birds system.