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A woman in Nova Scotia has two new budgies who appear to have mites and NOOO avian vet. She's sobbing, and I have a dim memory of your helping someone years ago on UAS when she had no money for vet care. Is it possible there is a way this woman might save her babies:

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Thanks in advance, yet again, Paca

I think I posted something about the mites that frequently attack the respiratory system of Gouldian finches. These mites are threatening the species with extinction in Australia, in fact.

There are several treatments that have been devised. There is a material that is given to cats and dogs that some people use called Invermectin.

Gouldian finches are sometimes saved by the "shake and bake" treatment in which the bird is placed in a bag with 5% sevin dust. This can kill the bird if done too long, and the bird can die from all the mites released.

Sevin dust is MUCH less toxic to mammals and birds (especially birds) than it is to fish, amphibians, and especially arthropods like mites and insects.

A standard treatment for mites in nestlings it to put a few percent of this material in their bedding.

I have heard of people trying to solve problems like this with the "no pest" strips, but these materials are more toxic to mammals and birds than sevin is. Sevin is N-methylnaphthyl urethane, many similar compounds can work, but some are more toxic to mammals and birds.

Thank you, Robert. When push came to shove, the woman in Nova Scotia learned she did have a vet, who's now treated her bird and recommends follow-up care. It's discouraging to be reminded how slow some bird parronts are to seek vet care when their birds are obviously sick.

Our birds are very fortunate.

Paca