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Conference 7.286::pet_birds

Title:Captive Breeding for Conservation--and FUN!
Notice:INTROS 6.X / FOR SALE 13.X / Buying a Bird 900.*
Moderator:VIDEO::PULSIFER
Created:Mon Oct 10 1988
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:942
Total number of notes:6016

68.0. "Help!! Need advice on a beak problem" by MPGV5::KELLEYP () Thu Dec 08 1988 15:24

      Help!!!   I wrote yesterday in an earlier note about my budgie.
    On his beak below his cere is a flaking sort of stuff.  I really 
    don't know what to do about it.  I called the pet shop where I bought
    him from and they said it was mites and to get the ointment to put on
    it.  I then phoned the vet.  She told me to bring the bird in to get a
    shot for this problem and it would work.  The price of the shot (which
    I have to go Saturday for) is 30 dollars.  What should I do?  I don't 
    want the little guy to be sick, but quite frankly I can't afford 30
    dollars, esspecially when it's more than I paid for the bird to begin
    with.  I don't know how serious this is and definitely don't want him
    to die.  Please tell me what is the best, I don't want to throw my
    money out for cures that won't work or take months to work.
    
    Thanks 
    
    Patti
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
68.1try a magnifying glassSVCRUS::KROLLThu Dec 08 1988 17:2412
    get a good mignifying glass hold the birds where he can not bite
    you and take a good look.  if he has mites they will be moving around
    and be inside the feather shafts.  also the mites are probably already
    infested the other birds and cage.
    
    if you do not see any mites then he may have some other problem
    the vet can figure out.  my experence with taking small birds that
    size to a vet has not been good.  I usually wind up with the bill
    and no bird.
    
    other than that I would see about inproveing the diet, enviroment
    and exercise.  good luck.
68.2Go to the VETCSC32::K_WORKMANP.I.A.S.O.M.Thu Dec 08 1988 18:277
    I vote you take him to the VET immediately.  I have taken many little
    birds, canaries, finches and doves in and never had a problem. 
    
    I believe that under a special light the vet can tell whether its
    mites or something else.  The point is, is that it could be something
    else more severe or it could be nothing at all.  Be safe and take
    him in.
68.3FSTVAX::WIMMERFri Dec 09 1988 10:089
    The pet store cannot possibly diagnose "over the phone".  Definitely
    take him to the vet.  It is expensive, but on the other hand, there
    is a responsibility associated with owning a living thing. It might
    also not be mites.  (Unless the pet store said that knowing that
    THEY have an infestation).  The other trick for mites that I READ
    about (don't know if it works), was to cover the cage with a white
    cloth at night, and if there were mites, you would be able to see
    them on the inside of the cloth in the morning?
68.4culprate seed?MPGS::KELLEYPFri Dec 09 1988 15:069
      Hello again,
    
         Got some medication that is working for the problem,  I will take
    him to a vet if the problem doesn't seem better in a few days.  One of
    the other birds sees to be getting it too.  I am using the same therapy
    on her too.  I seem to think it came in on their seed, it's the only
    new thing that makes sence.  Is this possible?
    
    Patti
68.5sounds like vet time to meSVCRUS::KROLLFri Dec 09 1988 18:316
    if the other birds are getting it and it is not mites take them
    all to the vet.  the only thing that comes in seed that would do
    that is mites, poisons, and dead seed.  change the seed to some
    from a local feed store and see if it is fresher than what you got.
    
    also clean and disinfect all cage and materials.
68.6MPGS::KELLEYPFri Dec 09 1988 20:237
    I am very sure it is mites.  I will change the seed though, to be safe.
    Other bird looks like I caught it in time though I gave them all a dose
    of the stuff and seemed much happier.
    
    Keep you posted
    
    Patti
68.7Marked improvement!MPGS::KELLEYPSat Dec 10 1988 13:4110
    Well,
    
      Good news folks, so far the birds look one hundred percent better, I
    disinfected the cage and all that was in them, threw out the old seed
    and sprayed the cage down good with the medication I was given.  They 
    seemed much more content today, singing and carring on as usual.
    
    Thank you for all your help, everyone.
    
    Patti