Help with ear mites

[birdieboy]

Hi...glad to have found this board...I just got a baby TAG with earmites. Does anyone know the proper way to treat him?
I google ear mites and birds and find nothing!! everyone talks about treating dogs and cats... I read mineral oil, and to rub with alcohol...but i know this isnt the right approach with the birds deep inner canal...is there any medication made specifically for birds? If so whats it called? thx for all help:)

[mmr]

You need to get him to an avian vet ASAP! He may also have mites on his body. I would get a full work up on him.

[birdieboy]

Thx for the reply but hopefully someone here has previously treated ear mites and knows a good product! (i am reading that for cats and dogs mineral oil is preferred method to "smother" the mites and soften the wax...it is usually used as the carrier when introducing insectisides also)....I may possibly bring him for a "full work-up" but I know hes very healthy so cant justify losing $100 in these hard times for some vet to tell me he looks great;)

[mmr]

Originally Posted by birdieboy

Thx for the reply but hopefully someone here has previously treated ear mites and knows a good product!

How old is the Cag? How long have you had him? Has he been to the vet yet? If not when was the last time he was to a vet?

[loubear]

All good questions mmr, I wouldn't consider it losing $100 to find out how to make my bird feel better and maybe gain some knowledge by picking his or her brain while I was there. I always approach vet visits as a learning session and ask every question I possible can from nail clipping to food and diet questions. I make them earn their fee.

[svolk]

I've honestly never heard of ear mites in a bird. If there's a condition such as mites or something else, then your bird is not 100% healthy and needs professional advice & attention from an avian vet.

[birdieboy]

i agree...but i was hoping someone here may have encountered an ear mite situation in the past and could offer up their experience...to be honest it would be a crap shoot to bring the bird in and actually get my solution, considering that the vet may very well have never had prior bird mite cases! Obviously these are seemingly few and far between if I cant find an easy answer on Google, or the only response Im getiing from you two are vet vet vet...

[birdieboy]

Yeah Sarah, neither have I...I have heard of other CAG and TAG owners complain that their birds shake their heads alot but they never got clear answers (even after a "full work-up")...

[svolk]

Avian vets are much more knowledgeable and equipped to handle medical issues vs. any internet source. Your best bet is with an avian vet (preferably a certified avian vet).

Do you have a picture that you can show us of the problem?

[mmr]

Originally Posted by birdieboy

.I may possibly bring him for a "full work-up" but I know hes very healthy so cant justify losing $100 in these hard times for some vet to tell me he looks great;)

How do you know he is very healthy??? Because the old owner or breeder told you so!!! You can't take things at face value.


If you don't mind me asking, are there anyother fids in the house? Have you owned fids before this one?

You aren't wasting $$$$ on a vet visit. Anyone knows that getting a new bird, that they should get them in for a vet check ASAP. I would not try to treat it myself. 1 birds have holes in their heads!!! anything that gets in there that should could cause serious damage. Parrots DO NOT get ear mites.

Also it is actually common for Greys to shake their heads or "jerk them"

Now if you sawa bug etc then the bird has mites which are found all over the body and quite annoying for the bird.

Basically... GET HIM TO THE VET!