Does my conure have mites

by Tracey
(United Kingdom)

Hello, I have recently added Eddie my yellow sided green cheek conure to my family. He is 10 weeks old, and he has been with me for one week, he has started to scratch his neck and does an odd little twitch with his wings & bounces up and down a bit. When he does this he also makes a chattering type of noise as if he has an itch that he just can't scratch. When I spoke to the lady at the aviary who sold him to me she told me that she had treated him with ivomectin on the back of his neck on the day that she sold him to me. He was ok for the first couple of days but has now started showing the symptons above. Do you think this is a sign of mites, and if it is can I re-treat him using a spray? Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thank you...Eddie's worried mum!

Comments for Does my conure have mites

Click here to add your own comments

Jul 28, 2009
 Good News
by: Eddie's Mum

Sorry for not replying earlier, my PC has been on the blink!!

Thank you all for your advice, I took Eddie to the vets and thankfully he is nice and healthy. The vet explained that Eddie's symptoms are behavioural as he only does his weird dance when I am out of his line of sight. I have now started to take Eddie around the house with me and he is loving the extra attention and has calmed down a lot. It's only been 2 weeks but I love him to bits.

Can anyone give me any guidance in training him. He steps on to my hand (inside the cage) when I have apple in my hand and he will let me scratch his head but he doesn't want to step up every time. I want to move him to a larger cage & let him out into the room but I'm worried that he might not want to go back in his cage. So after all that my question is how can I get him to step up every time I ask?

Thank you
Eddie's loving mum x
Jul 23, 2009
 Conure and mite meds
by: The Vet

This is not mites and it is very unlikely that he has mites. Do not allow the breeder to treat him again. Ivermectin can have serious side effects if used incorrectly. He could be having a reaction to this drug. I recommend that you have your bid examined by an avian veterinarian as soon as possible.

Dr B
Jul 19, 2009
 Eddie's Mum
by: Linda

Well, first thing that sounds off is the Ivemectin on him. I don't know about the UK, but it is used in dog and cat and horse worm medications over here. Heartworms, roundworms, hookworms and whipworms which are all internal, and the animals take it orally.

He very well could be having a reaction to the medication, so my suggestion is to make an appointment with an Avian vet and tell them what was used on him, so they will know better how to treat him for allergic reaction if that is what is happening. I'm not up on all the medications for mites, but we used to used something made from pyrethrin plant which is safe for treating mites.

Please see an Avian vet as soon as is possible because the Ivemec could be causing central nervous system problems. Also let us know what the vet says because I don't think vets are using any such thing over here.There is an online vet on this site too, so they may be able to let you know if this is being used for mites, as I'm just not sure.

We will look forward to your next post.

Linda
Jul 19, 2009
 Mites
by: Anonymous

It is never a good idea to apply any pesticides yourself. A visit to the vet is in order to make sure he gets appropriate treatment. You are not even sure he has mites. An avian vet can make a correct diagnosis and prescribe meds if needed. Good luck.

Click here to add your own comments

Check out One Day Miracles bird training!

©Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved.