How long are mite preventative meds good for?

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:56 pm

I thought about ordering some S76 or Scatt, but if I have just two birds and only give a bit a few times a year as preventative, will the meds have expired?

I guess the same goes for Guardian Angel, or other meds that you have sitting around "just in case".

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:06 am

The expiration on my unopened bottle of S76 is 12/2009. I bought it last month. I spoke to this breeder of Gouldians of 25 years and she has never had air sac mites in her birds ever and is a firm believer in not treating her birds unless they have an illness. I know it can happen when you least expect it, but I'm glad to hear it's possible to never have birds affected with them. I'm not saying you shouldn't use a preventative, but just her take on medications.

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:08 am

Grrrrr, I posted a long reply and it disappeared into nowhere.

Thank you Atarasi for the reply.

My breeder treats twice a year, before breeding and before molt.

He did not recommend that I treat preventatively myself though.

It scares me the air sac mites are the #1 killer of Gouldians.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:13 am

Hi Kiko,

I ordered Scatt and have one bottle that expires in 2009 and another that expires in 2010. I too am terrified of ASM's in my Gouldians so I do the preventive schedule of every 3 months. These birds are too expensive to loose to something that can be cured and/or avoided.

(Did you get my PM of 2 days ago re finch seed? I sent it via PM as Hotmail bounced back to me.)

Liz

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:43 am

Hi Liz,

Maybe I should ask whoever I am ordering from to check the expiry date on the Scatt then.

Re see, my breeder uses Prestige Premium and I found a local bird store that carries it and they are getting it in for me.

I don't know why I didn't get your pm or email, computers/internet can be very annoying sometimes!
Try again, or post here, or since I am now getting Prestige maybe it is a moot point?

Thank you Liz!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:04 pm

Yes, always best to ask your supplier what their current expiry dating is - then you know if you can use it in time or if you should get it somewhere's else. Mine came from the US.

I was saying in the PM that I'm in Barrie and get my Moores Vitafinch seed in 40 pound bags (which I split with my daughter) at Vince's Pet Centre in Woodbridge (I work in Toronto about 20 mins away from Vince's) - only because I don't get down to Norwich, ON which is where Moore's is located and it's a much better price there, naturally, but not too bad at Vince's. Vince and his son Casy are very nice and I've bought some of my finches from him too along with some Soak Seed which my finches LOVE to no end!

That's it in a nutshell. Let me know if you need any further info.

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:09 pm

Thanks Liz. Does Moores have a website? I was unable to google one.

I am going to get a couple of things, like Scatt, so that I have them on hand.

I want to spoil my finches, so I need to find all the best stuff - like soak seed, if your finches love it, I'm sure mine will too!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 7:05 am

Try this site:

http://www.ralphmooreandsons.on.ca/

I offer the Soak Seed in a flat dish (a small 2" plastic lid turned upside down) either beside or mixed with chopped hb egg (with shell). It's amazing how they all jump down to it as soon (or even before) my hand is out of their cages.

I need to find some antibiotics (similar to Baytril) to order and have on hand... just in case. That's the only thing I'm missing (I think).

Keep us posted!

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:38 am

Thanks Liz, I will check it out. I am also going to call the vet I used for our pet rats, to see if they do birds. They were really great, better rates than my dog vet, and reasonable about only charging a small visit fee so that I could legally get meds, once they knew me and knew what I was doing.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:29 am

Kiko wrote:...and reasonable about only charging a small visit fee so that I could legally get meds, once they knew me and knew what I was doing.

Will they do that? I was wondering if I could call my bird vet and ask if I could buy some Baytril just to have on hand without having to bring a bird in to be checked.

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:55 pm

I don't think they can legally sell you some without a visit, but my vet "only" charged me a $25 visit when I brought a rat in, and then I could get refills for 6 months without a visit. So at least I was able to have baytril on hand, which rats often need as they get older. Take one rat in and order refills and treat all my rats.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 7:05 pm

Sounds good Kiko! I'll phone and see if I can get refills on the Baytril I got from them a couple of months ago. Thanks!!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:06 pm

Just wanted to say "thanks Lynn" for suggesting getting refills at the vets. I phoned this morning to see if my vet would give me refills on Baytril that I had gotten back in November. YES - I can pick it up on my way home tonight.

I'll be relieved to have some in the fridge to keep on hand - just in case. Thanks again Lynn!

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:05 pm

You are welcome! It is nice to be able to help someone on this board, when I am the one asking for bird help all the time!