How can I tell FOR SURE my parakeet has scaly mites? PLEASE HELP!!

Question

I got my parakeet in January. I bought the cage and food and accessories the same day as I bought him, and put everything together at home. His feathers were bright and smooth and really pretty, but the past month or two I have noticed his feathers look a little bit dull, maybe oily? His cere is crusty (I can't even see the color on his cere anymore) and he has a few bald scab-like patches on the side of his face. His legs are sort of itchy-looking too. The feathers around and above his cere are coming out, but I see a few growing back in. I thought it was Scaly Mites, and I've been treating him, but I need to know if it is the real thing. All the pics I've seen online don't look anything like what mine has got. His beak is not overgrown, and his feet are the same size. Here's the pic I have... http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k333/raeGirl146/100_4090.jpg

(I bought the cage pre-assembled...Could it have been infested at the store?)

My parents wont let me take Chico to the vet. Home remedies only please!!

Answer 1

Telephone a vet and explain that your parents won't let you bring the bird in, ask if you can send or bring photos of the bird to the vet and if there are any home remedies that will work?  Or could the vet sell you a medication without and office visit? Ask!  Another thing to try is to ask if you could work at the animal clinic after school and/or on weekends in exchange for having your bird treated?  Your parents will have to agree to this idea before you ask the vet about it.  Your duties might include filing, answering the phone, making appointments, cleaning exam rooms and cages, sweeping  and mopping floors, even watering plants, etc.  It's good work experience and might even turn into a job or career for you.  I think you might need to be 15 or 16 to do it but ti's worth asking.  Another idea is to show photos of the bird's problems to pet store operators and bird breeders in your area who can positively identify the ailment and tell you what to do for it.

Answer 2

You must do something soon to prevent your bird could die.

Check this link:

http://www.birds-online.de/gesundheit/ge...

If you really can´t take your bird to a vet, you could give treatment (using edible olive oil better than paraffin.  The laster  could be toxic for the bird). Anyway if the bird don´t get better in about three days maybe you must to give him a ivermectin treatment (please ask me about dosis and treatment method).

   I hope Chico gets better soon.

Answer 3

First thing I would suggest is definitely taking him to a veterinarian, as birds can carry a lot of diseases that can transmit to humans and other animals in the household such as ringworm etc. Also if it's not his regular molting time, it could be stress if he's plucking his own feathers out. Also could be that he is lacking in a vitamin/mineral and you could try supplementing him with minerals/vitamins. Also does he bathe regularly? You can place a "bird bath" in his cage for him to bath in or you can get a water bottle and lightly spray him. They also have a bird conditioner that you can spray on. Hope this helps.