Mites

lyderbug · Post by **lyderbug** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:18 pm

Hi everyone.

I think one of my societies has mites. She has started squeaking. Sounds almost like when a bed spring squeaks. All other behavior is very normal.

I started the whole flock on antibiotics...tetra something or other. Is this the correct thing to do? And is this something that just happens? Their whole set up is brand new. New cage, new branches, new nest. I would think because everything is clean it wouldn't be caused from lack there of.

Thank you

franny · Post by **franny** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:59 pm

No, I would not give antibiotics for mites. It won't get rid of mites, and it might do more harm than good to give them antibiotics when they don't actually have a bacterial infection. I'd stop the antibiotics at once.

Are you suspecting airsac mites? I have never come across it, but from what I've read here, the bird makes more of a clicking sound than a squeek. But IF it is airsac mites, what you need is Scatt or S76 (ivermectin), not an antibiotic. I think it wouldn't hurt to treat them for airsac mites, though it's not that common for societies to get them.

Maybe someone else here can jump in, but I think maybe the one that's "squeeking" is a hen. Is she making that noise when in the nest? Maybe she's just trying to get broody. You might be worrying for nothing.

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 11:09 pm

The treatment for mites is not antibiotics. If you continue antibiotics, are you prepared with a probiotic post treatment to reintroduce the killed good bacteria to the intestinal tract so they do not get yeast infections?

I think the treatment for mites is scat or S76 or iverlux. Please read information from the FIC (link at the left ) or here
http://www.finchniche.com/f-articles-hi.mgi

Please make sure you are doing the right treatment. Its also important to properly diagnose before treating, these guys are fragile... doesnt take too much of the wrong thing...

The squeaking is probably the female trying to lay eggs. She will make some funky sqwaks and squeaks when she is laying. Check to see if she is acting slow and not flying and sitting on the floor of the cage. She may be egg bound. Search for egg binding or egg bound on google and read up and treat appropriately if you suspect this is the case!

lyderbug · Post by **lyderbug** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 11:18 pm

this is why i'm asking. i appreciate the help. yes, one of the females has been laying but there is no male present. i know they will lay infertile eggs. i've had many finches for a long time and never heard this. i will stop the antibiotic.

any other thoughts?

franny · Post by **franny** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 11:31 pm

Can't think of anything else. As long as she's acting normal otherwise, I'd just watch closely. If she's laying eggs, then she should be getting some eggfood. Even without a male they will sometimes get broody, and will still need extra calcium to help replace the stuff she's using to make the eggs.

Is there a nest in the cage? Should maybe take it out until she stops laying. I know that societies like to all pile in the nest, but if they are laying eggs, that's hard on them. Might stop her if the nest comes out for awhile at least.

Lyderbug, glad you came and asked, by the way. If either of us came across a bit strong we didn't mean to. It's hard to express ourselves in type, and maybe we came off as critical? Sure didn't mean to.

Just answering the antibiotic question was all we wanted to do. Please don't take offense at all. I've asked questions here that I'm sure lots of folks thought were common knowledge, but we all have to learn it sometime, somehow. We unfortunately can't learn by osmosis.

lyderbug · Post by **lyderbug** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 11:40 pm

i ask because i need to know. i'm not afraid to get yelled at or be scolded. by all means i expect you to if i need it hahaha.

i give all my girls lots of calcium. plenty of cuttle bone and egg shell. i also give them other supplements.

thank you very much for your help. i'll let you know if there are any major changes that i need help with

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 8:01 am

Hi,

It is very unusual for society finches to get air sac mites. Just watch it carefull and see if you notice any other behavior such as sleeping alot of puffed up.

I really would not suspect air sac mites. Is it scratching and preening excessively?

Keep us posted.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:22 am

I would not suspect ASM with Societies either, unless you've brought new birds in recently. Squeaking is not a sign of ASM.

Any other symptoms? How is she/they today?

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:49 am

Same as what franny said, didnt meant to come off as scolding if it was interpreted so. When I know something is not being done properly, I try to be as assertive as I can to help the finches because to me, if they die because I know the answer and didnt lay it out the way it is, then I feel partly responsible.

Anyways, remember, we were all beginers... heck, I have only owned my finches for 2 months now. So you could argue I am still a beginer. Most would probably. Everything I have learned I learned by reading in this forum and the 2 or 3 good websites like the FIC link at left, finch niche and lady gouldian and a few others here and there for select species.

Keep asking away! My only advice is to be certain of a diagnosis before treating next time. And if you are uncertain, post here before action, you will get a response usually within an hour, or within 12 hours for CERTAIN.

lyderbug · Post by **lyderbug** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:44 pm

Thanks again for the input. Everyone seems to be healthy. Maybe she's just quirky. If anything changes I will def ask about possible remedies.

franny · Post by **franny** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:59 pm

Glad she seems OK.