canaries and mites?

[carriesb]

Well I posted about getting a canary soon but I was reading some things online and it says 95% of canaries get mites. And the should get proventive treatment?? Well I don't want it getting mites and spredding them to the other birds I will of course quarantine him for 45 days. But I thought you weren't supposed to use those mite sprays and the circular protectors? Any body know anything on this. I'm going tommorow to buy a book on them. Thanks for any help.

[Kalvin]

Canaries are no more prone to feather mites than any other bird (that I know of), they can however get air sac mite but this is still pretty rare.

When you get your birds (canaries being finches should be kept in pairs IMO) I would just check them over for mites each week and keep an eye on them to look for signs. I have 4 canaries in my aviary with other birds and have not had a problem with mites on them.

[carriesb]

Thanks so much Kalvin. And where I'm getting him is a very clean place.

[Brenda67]

The symptoms of Upper Airway Disease (nose, sinuses and windpipe) are
Staining of feathers above the nostrils
Swelling around the eyes or corner of the mouth
Blockage of the Nostrils
Open mouth breathing
Noisy breathing
Sneezing

The symptoms of Lower Airway Disease (air sacs and lungs)
Tail bobbing
Open mouth breathing
Noisy Breathing
Loss of Voice/song
Loss of appetite
Poor flying (weakness)

Air Sac MiteSigns
Heavy breathing
Open-mouth breathing
Stain on feathers around nostrils
Coughing (clicking sounds)
Sneezing
Birds stop singing

These are small, dark mites that are found in the windpipe and air sacs. They cause irritation and eventually lead to asphyxiation. It is thought they spread from adults to young birds when they are being fed.
The birds will have a wheezing or whistle to their breathing when held up to your ear. The most effective treatment is Ivermectin or Moxidectin as drops into the mouth.
Birds species which have this problem include the Gouldian Finch, Cordon Bleu Finch, European Goldfinch and the Canary in Australia. Overseas it is also reported in Parakeets and Cockatiels.

Ivermectin

Ivomec Liquid for Sheep Strength 0.8g/L Directions 0.1ml of this product per 100 gram body weight into the beak. No dilution is required for parrots or pigeons.

Ivomec Pour-on for Cattle Strength 5.0g/L Directions Apply 0.015ml per 100gram body weight placed on skin at back of the neck. Alternatively dilute 1ml with 9ml of propylene glycol and use 0.15ml per 100 gram body weight. This product is suitable for penetrating the skin.

These are the 2 most common types of Ivermectin. There are 2 more types but they require administration with a crop needle.

The Oral Ivomec for sheep is a clear liquid as it is water based. For a budgie just one drop directly into the beak is all that is needed. You can give a follow up dosage in a weeks time. This is the one I usually use for my birds. I have never killed a bird with it yet and have given it to quite young birds.

[victoria stiles]

Canaries have quite a few talents, but cleaning up after themselves is NOT one of them. There are a variety of mites that can affect your canary.