Ekkss. Mites

[Pet Pal]

My two parakeets still have mites. I got 4paws mite remover spray for birds,
but that isnt working. I was told to use diatomacious earth.
Would that help?

Their beaks are sort of flacking away. Here is a picture of them.
There is no vets around here who does birds.

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee320/e1m1a1l1i1n1e1/DSCF0030-1.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee320/e1m1a1l1i1n1e1/DSCF0029-2.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee320/e1m1a1l1i1n1e1/DSCF0027.jpg

Thanks :)

[tiffers]

You sure it's mites and not some diet deficiency?

[LadyLynn]

Quite often people who have little to limited and no experience with birds quite mistakenly think their birds have mites for two reasons.
1. birds do tend to scratch themselves...
2. The white flakes that are all over their bodies all of the time are mistaken for mites and or dandruff.

WHat this probably is, is actually the Sheeths, flaking off of old feathers, while new starts, "Called Pin feathers begin."

Since birds are "Covered in feathers it stands to reason they are covered in white flaking, or sometimes the colors that are consitent to the colors on the bird.

"Birds rarely if ever have mites.

All I can say is please be extreamly careful about treating your bird for "mites." Only your avian certified vet should prescribe anything that will cute and eliminate mites.

Your avian vet can also make the determination if your bird has mites, so don't be fooled by any site, any store, or any product claiming they can help you rid your bird of mites.

I'm sorry I agree with Tiffany: Does your bird really have mites?

And I'm sorry, in the years I've had birds mine have never had mites, and I strongly suspect that yours doesn't either.

but please tell us why you think your bird has mites?

and yes, sometimes pin feathers hurt cus they are tiny, and have a new sheeth around the feathers.

[LadyLynn]

your bird looks totally normal to me, beak and all.

[Pet Pal]

I can see the mite comb on them. No they are no pin feathers, they have them on top of their head. I was told to use D.E. by one of the members on this forum in my last topic.

[Pet Pal]

http://forums.petlovers.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28686

[Macawpower58]

One can test for this by covering the cage at night with a white sheet and examining it in the morning for black or red dots the size of pepper.

[LadyLynn]

I'm sorry, I read through that thread, and what the person said to you makes me nervous.

Rather than do that, "use products," I would open a phone book and call an avian certified vet and ask questions...... about how to "kill mites when it comes to birds.

If they say you need to have your bird seen and the "vet is pricey," find out if he or she will work with you and take your birds in to be treated.

It's really the very best thing you can do foryour birds, and of course, you already know just to keep your birds cage cleaned on a daily basis.

And of course see if you can figure out where the mites are coming from.


about your birds beaks. It's pretty normal for birds to have beaks that give the appearance of flaking, and in some cases yes the beak does flake. My Lexi's beak even had a small crack in it, but I believe he was born with it that way.

Are you sure you are observing mites, "Flying onto your birds? or are you just noticing white flakes that appear on the top of the birds?

be grateful that you live in an area if it is the case that you do have "Some avian certified vets.

I used to live in a rural area in which the avain vet, any avian vet I could reach was 4 hours away in any direction.

Just do what you can.

and please don't even bother with the chemicals that were pointed out to you. I flat out do not think they are safe to use when it comes to your birds.

[Pet Pal]

Thanks everybody :) I'm opening a phone book :D I keep you informed

[Macawpower58]

I very much doubt you'd be able to see mites on your bird. They are so tiny, they'd be just about impossible to spot.

I agree, get a vet's opinion.

[tiffers]

I very much doubt you'd be able to see mites on your bird. They are so tiny, they'd be just about impossible to spot.
When we had our Avian Vet, she'd always use the Microscope to check for mites.

[Pet Pal]

Thanks everybody :) All the tips and thoughts help. I put vaseline on thier beaks. Hoping that will help.

http://www.auspet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15732

[LadyLynn]

Oh my gosh!!! Didn't you know vasaline is toxic to birds?
Vasaline has been discussed at some length on another website I visit.

You really shouldn't be putting products on their beaks at all, not unless the vet prescribes a medication, or I would say some type of juice, like apple juice they can lick off that is totally natural.

please, please for the sake of your birds keep your head together, and don't just do stuff like that.

your bird will need you and always, and you can live with the birds beak flaking. Most birds have beaks that do indeed flake off a bit.

so please don't do this type of thing. Ok?
if you have questions and you really can't get answers from a vet please visit either one of these two web sites.
http://birdscomefirst.org or http://askaboutparrots.com

[Pet Pal]

Really. I wont try it again. What would juice do?

[Pet Pal]

Isn't Vaseline toxic only if they get it in thier mouth?

[LadyLynn]

If I remember the discussion correctly on the other site, some time ago, The nanday conure site, "A few years ago, I couldn't tell you where those posts are in their archives now,

but if I understood correctly it eventually starts to absorb through the skin, I'm uncertain about the beak, but rubbing it on the beak was also discussed, and if I remember correctly it eventually over a relatively short time, and yet longer than most toxins it eventually starts having a negative effect on your bird so rubbing this Petrolium based product anywhere on your bird is an all out bad idea.

so I honestly think you re worrying much too much about your bird. with the pictures you posted your bird looked absolutely ok, and very normal.

If the beak is flaking, don't worry about it. Just search out those websites I gave to you, and put things in your keyword search things like "Bird's flaking beaks, or bird beaks, and see if you can't come across a bunch of pictures too to help you.

So I think at least this first time you used the vasaline I think your bird will be ok, just don't use it again ok?

We want what's best for your bird, and I think you'll find your bird is generally and overall in good health.

take care

and good luck to you.

[Macawpower58]

Isn't Vaseline toxic only if they get it in thier mouth?

Petpal, a bird will rub it's beak on it's feathers, thus transferring the Vaseline to itself. Then when it preens, it will ingest it.

[Pet Pal]

Thanks everybody! More thoughts are welcomed :D I'll try the juice