Back from the Avian VEt

[spirit001]

Well Skyler had bird lice. They are long and move kinda like a worm. The vet was so surprised because he knows the lady I bought the bird from. Also he says so many times people think the birds have lice and rarely do. They gave me a 30 dollar off certificate because of where I bought the bird. It only cost me 27 dollars for the entire exam and treatment. They put some sort of powder on him and I have to watch him for the day and give him a bath tonight. He has to go back in two weeks for a recheck and possible retreatment. At that time if he is clean he is going to give him a bloodtest. HE said the blood test is only 65 dollars different than what the lady answering the phone was saying. He didn't want to stress him with it today since they had to hold him down to dust him. Poor birdy. I bet he is feeling better in a coulple days without all those bugs crawling on him. The dr said no only did he have lice but it was a bad infestation. EWWWW. Glad we can't catch it. He hasn't been around any other birds thank God

[keetmom]

Awww poor Skyler..at least he is getting treatment and will be feeling better soon! Sounds like your vet is nice!

[Lovebirdfan]

I am so glad you found out what it was and they are able to treat it.

[Pootspete]

Gell well quick SKyler!

[sueb50]

How do they get it in the first place?

[spirit001]

We have only had him about 8 days so he had to have it when we got him. HE got it from the exotic bird shop/breeder. Which was a huge surprise because the girds there are usually very clean and this one is hand raised and tamed. They vet was fantastic. He even played with the bird a bit and got him to forage some pellets off a little towel. Was telling him how pretty he was. I can tell this man loves birds. He was saying how sweet our budgie is. Even when they held him down and dusted him with meds he didnt bite anyone. They said not to worry about him being so sleepy. They said he can be sleepy from the lice bugging him at night but most likely he is a sleepy bird because he is still just a baby. I have been watching him since the medication and he is doing well. I cleaned all his things before putting him back in the cage. I will give him a little bath today so he can feel even better.

[Aviennda]

I think bird lice is usually caught by pet birds when they are exposed in some fashion to wild birds. Just like with people, lice doesn't mean that the breeder had a dirty facility or anything...it just takes one exposure to the parasites. You will want to notify the breeder so that they can check their birds and treat if necessary.

[raptorace]

awww... get better little dude

[Nella772]

Is he all better?