I am after any advice.

 

I noticed today that Jack had been preening himself alot. When we had him out for a play this afternoon he was still doing it so I thought I would just give him a good look over. I was holding him against me and rubbing the back of his head down his back which he seems to enjoy. To my horror several little (as in appron 1.5mm long and flat) wrigglers came out from around his neck area.

 

Yuck.

 

What do I need to do ? Is there anything I can do tonight ?

 

We have had him 1 week. He has been near no other birds. He is living inside the house in his cage. I have taken him out on the deck quite a few times in the fresh air when I am around to keep an eye on him.

 

Please tell me what to do. I can't stop itching (Laughing out loud) :mellow:

 

 

Michelle

Edited March 10, 200817 yr by Lilysbudgie

Sounds like he has feather mites. You needs some of either a mite spray, or some avian insect liquidator or spot on ivermectin. Dont worry ...they wont prefer you to him so you wont get infested tonight but need to get something to treat him tomorrow. He'll be much happier when you do. Dont forget to clean his cage and perches too once he is treated and before he goes back in.

Thankyou so much.

 

What will be the best way to clean the cage and perches ? Is there something special I should do or use ?

 

 

Also is it safe (as in lice migration ) To leave him inside with us overnight ?

 

Michelle

This post is already making my skin crawl!!! Poor you and Jack. It's fine to keep him inside overnight. As to cleaning his cage... clean everything with boiling water and some vinager, scrubbing well and then rinse in water a few times. Dry in the hot sun if possible. If the perches are wood, replace if possible, or wash as above. Good luck with his meds and I hope he's itch free very soon!

Edited March 10, 200817 yr by maesie

Thankyou. Pleased I'm not the only one itching (Laughing out loud)

 

If the perches are wood, replace if possible

 

They are only a week old :hap:

Thankyou. Pleased I'm not the only one itching (Laughing out loud)

 

If the perches are wood, replace if possible

 

They are only a week old :hap:

 

...itch...itch..itch... Just scrub them with the vinegar and boiling water, then scrub with just boiling/hot water, then rinse a few times again... then leave in the sun as with everything else. They should be fine :hap: ... itch...itch...itch...

Isn't it amazing.....I am sitting here scratching away too reading this.

 

Good luck with treating your bird.

Itch itch itch scratch scratch scratch :(Laughing out loud):

 

thanks again.

 

For future reference is it wise to treat a bird when you bring it home just incase it has mites ? Who knows,in the future I may decide to get another budgie

 

Also does it make them feel miserable ? Jack has been spending more time on the bottom of the cage tonight than on his perch. Or maybe it was the 3, 6 year olds who wore him out this afternoon. (Laughing out loud) :(Laughing out loud):

 

Will I be buying the mite spray or insecticide at a pet shop or should I just head straight to my produce place ?

 

Thanks again to everyone who takes the time to post. I really do appreciate it.

 

Michelle

Will I be buying the mite spray or insecticide at a pet shop or should I just head straight to my produce place ?

 

Try to avoid petshops at all costs....you will end up walking out with things you did not intend to buy and various meds they insist you need that you dont

Itch itch itch scratch scratch scratch :(Laughing out loud):

 

thanks again.

 

For future reference is it wise to treat a bird when you bring it home just incase it has mites ? Who knows,in the future I may decide to get another budgie

 

Also does it make them feel miserable ? Jack has been spending more time on the bottom of the cage tonight than on his perch. Or maybe it was the 3, 6 year olds who wore him out this afternoon. (Laughing out loud) :(Laughing out loud):

 

Will I be buying the mite spray or insecticide at a pet shop or should I just head straight to my produce place ?

 

Thanks again to everyone who takes the time to post. I really do appreciate it.

 

Michelle

 

No worries. When you get a new budgie, weather it be your first or as an addition to your current flock. You should always treat them with meds for worms, mites etc... just as a precaution... and if you're adding a budgie to your current bird family, quarintine for 30 days is a MUST. You can get the mite spray where ever... it probably doesn't make to much difference. Jack may be feeling a little tired... esp with all that itching, but after tomorrow, he'll be very happy!!!

Hi Michelle,

 

Most produce places keep some good quality lice and mite sprays for birds. Feather mites can't live off the bird and unlike some mites don't bore into wood (so your perches should be fine). Still give them a good scrub if it makes you feel better and make sure you give them a good spray when they are dry. Don't forget to treat the bird and its environment again in around 7 - 8 days in case of any surviving mites/lice from egss.

 

 

Feathers.

Edited March 10, 200817 yr by Feathers

Thanks again.

 

I usually like to avoid pet shops anyway, so will just head straight to my produce guy.

 

I take it I probably should worm Jack in the very near future as well. I will do the lice business and then worm him in a weeks time. If this isn't the right thing to do someone please let me know.

 

Michelle

Thanks again.

 

I usually like to avoid pet shops anyway, so will just head straight to my produce guy.

 

I take it I probably should worm Jack in the very near future as well. I will do the lice business and then worm him in a weeks time. If this isn't the right thing to do someone please let me know.

 

Michelle

 

It can't hurt him... better to be safe than sorry, esp as I'm sure he used to be around 'other' birds.

Just to pop in and said you have received good advice and good luck getting rid of the vistors...I just hate anything that is mites, fleas....

Well I sprayed Jack this morning with the mite spray, and have washed everything really well. Lucky I had a spare cage here.

 

I can tell you That Jack was very unimpressed with being sprayed. not happy at all.

 

I notice tonight that he is still doing a bit of preening so was wondering if I assume this is normal preening or should I retreat him again tomorrow morning. I don't want to overdose him but at the same time I want them all gone. It does not give a time frame for re-treatment on the bottle, just retreat if necessary.

 

Michelle

Hi Michelle,

 

birds do preen quite often, exhibition birds are sprayed with water daily before a show as spraying them makes them preen. So his preening could have been a reaction to spraying him. Give it a couple of days then have another look at the base of his feathers. If you see any mites respray. If not leave it till the weekend.

 

 

Feathers.

good luck, looks like you've got it all under control...