Air sac mites

Is your finch sick or not well? Find out why.
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BrettB
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I have been doing some reading about airsac mite and came across this article by Dr Rob Marshall http://www.birdhealth.com.au/bird/finch ... ldian.html

In part he states
it should be assumed Airsac mites are present in ALL captive Gouldians. Infection exists in a dormant state when ideal conditions create good health. Any stressful episode will activate infection.
I would be interested in AFF members views , in particular when making decisions about the purchase of new birds.

Cheers
Brett
"We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are ." Anais Nin
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vettepilot_6
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When breeding Goulds or Canaries I usually hang shelltox pest strips in cages or aviaries.. :thumbup:
The Bitterness of Poor Quality Remains Long after the Sweetness of Cut Price is Forgotten
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Myzomela
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You still have Shelltox pest strips for sale in WA??
I thought they went off the market years ago.
Research; evaluate;observe;act
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Myzomela
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Brett,

You could say the same thing about other disease eg coccidia.

As far as I'm concerned it's all about buying the healthiest birds in the first place, quarantining them adequately and then housing & feeding them properly.

If you optimise a bird's health, it is less likely to breakdown with an illness, just like with any animal or even people.
Research; evaluate;observe;act
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vettepilot_6
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Myzomela wrote:You still have Shelltox pest strips for sale in WA??
I thought they went off the market years ago.
I bought 3 from this company around February...dont know if customs will keep letting them come in though :shh: http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Shot-5580-Uns ... B0019BK8AG
The Bitterness of Poor Quality Remains Long after the Sweetness of Cut Price is Forgotten
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KENTUCKY
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I can not agree with Dr.Marshals statement about dormant Air sac mites, either they are infected with this pest or they are not, a women cant just be a little bit pregnant either she is, or she is not, the same applies to air sac mites, either they have got it or haven t got it.
What is important that new arrivals are kept in quarantine and treated, wether they show symptons of air sac mites or not, if you get it right the first time you will save yourself heaps of problems later on down the track
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Myzomela
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Hi Kentucky,

There is a difference between being infected and causing disease.
We all get exposed to flu viruses every year, but not everyone goes on to develop the flu.
I am not sure that every Gouldian finch does in fact carry air sac mites (they may) but the point he is making is a valid one.
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