Air Sac Mites
Afflicts: 
Finches (especially Gouldians) and canaries; but have also been diagnosed in other birds.
Symptoms: Sneezing, coughing, wheezing, squeaking, wet nostrils, and dyspnea.
Diagnosis: Unreliable in the live bird. In some instances, the mites are visible to the naked eye, or, they may be spotted on microscopic examination of the fixed tissues.
Treatment Options:
The producer of Abba Seed recommends the following dose and method to cure Airsack Mites by using Ivervmectin 1% Injectable Solution (it is available in many veterinary supply places or from your local veterinarian). In the evening, just before the birds go to sleep, remove all the drinking water from the cages or aviary. The next morning the birds will be nice and thirsty. Vigorously shake the Ivermectin bottle. Then to 16oz. of drinking water add 1cc of Ivermectin. Again, shake the mixture well and place before the birds in a clean pre-sterilized container. The birds will drink the solution with gusto. Usually one good drink will cure the above mentioned problems. Leave the water treated with Ivermectin before the birds until they drink all of it or until the next day. Repeat the treatment in two weeks. Personally, as well as many fellow fanciers we treat the birds with the above mentioned method twice a year, in January and at the end of the breeding season. Be careful, Ivermectin is a very powerful parasiticide. An overdose may kill your birds. Do not administer Ivermectin straight from the bottle. GA.
Vets commonly treat birds with IVERMECTIN PROPYLENE GLYCOL, which differs from the Ivermectin one finds in the farm stores with the picture of a cow on the front of the bottle. Birds require a special dilution and if given to a bird full strength, or improperly diluted, death could result. Only the Ivermectin available for birds is correctly formulated for birds and can be given right from the bottle. Please note that this a double application treatment. After the first application repeat in twelve days, as during the first time you are killing the mites but not the eggs. During the second application you are killing the mites that hatch from the eggs. The usual vet recommendation is to treat twice a year, or up to 4 months in humid / warm climates. Your vet will be able to advise you on the details.
Air Sac Mites
by
David Friddle, DVM - * The Animal Hospital
2107 Marlboro St. Birmingham, AL 35226 Phone: (205) 823-6002 Fax: (205) 822-5113
A common respiratory problem seen in Gouldian finches and less frequently in canaries is caused by air sac mites (Sternastoma Tracheacolum). The life cycle of the mite is still not known but is probably spread to nestling birds from the regurgitated nutrients by the parents. They can be coughed up from the trachea and swallowed and passed orally or through the stool. Food and water can also be contaminated from coughing and sneezing.
Owners and aviculturists may see a progressive loss of condition in these birds, respiratory distress, wheezing and squeaking sounds, coughing, sneezing, discharge from nares, loss of voice, gasping, and occasionally head shaking. Birds rarely die from this but it can have a long-term effect on the flock in both health and economics.
A positive diagnosis can be made by trans-illumination of the trachea using a pinpoint light source shining through the skin and "windpipe". The mites are tiny black specks within the trachea. As they are not always seen in this manner you may have to treat based on clinical signs in these birds. If lab work can be performed there is often an increase in a certain white blood cell called a basophil.
There have been a variety of treatments documented over the years. One involves placing a No-Pest Strip (diclorvos) by the cage and covering it for an hour monitoring the birds very carefully for evidence of wobbling and toxicity. The strip should be aired out for 1-2 days prior to use. They can also be used to hang in the aviary but away from contact with the birds. This treatment has the potential to be more harmful to the birds than the mites and its use is very questionable.
More commonly Ivermectin is used. Various regimens have been used and the choice can be selected due to a variety of factors - is it a single bird or flock; are the birds easily handled or highly stressed; what is the degree of infestation; and possible resistance of the mites. An easy way to treat is using 0.1% Ivermectin (1:10 dilution with propylene glycol) topically on the bare skin on the lower neck over the jugular vein area using approximately one drop. A small amount of alcohol on a swab may be necessary to view the skin through the feathers. This is simple and fast and works well in many birds. A disadvantage is inconsistency of absorption of active ingredients. Another choice is to dilute 1:10 in saline and dose orally at 0.05mg (1 drop or 0.05ml) once every 2 weeks for 1-3 applications (some literature has up to 6 treatments needed for a difficult infestation). Saline dilution may have a precipitate but this does not seem to change the effectiveness. This is a dose of 50 micrograms and is at the high end of the therapeutic range and should be reserved for resistant mites. The normal dose recommended is 400 micrograms/kg and can be achieved with a 1:50 dilution and giving 1 drop.
Propylene Glycol is not used for oral administration due to its potential aspiration into the trachea and resulting damage to it. Some have used the more dilute dosage (1:50 with saline) orally once daily for 3-4 days. Some also inject the medication IM every 2 weeks or once daily for 3 days (400 micrograms/kg) but this is extremely stressful to the birds and aviculturists. Always mix the Ivermectin and diluent fresh for each treatment. Evidence of over-dosage would be sleepiness, trouble standing, and drooping head. These signs will be seen within 10-60 minutes. Water dishes may need to be removed during this time as drowning could occur. As a precaution each breeder should test the dosing on a few birds prior to treating the entire flock. With a flock problem it is wise to retreat prior to each breeding season.
If the respiratory problems do not clear up after treatments then there are several other opportunists, viruses, or bacteria (enterococcus) that can cause primary and secondary problems. Use of immune system stimulants may be helpful. It is best to seek veterinary assistance for these problems.
Many disease-causing organisms / toxins are transmitted via air and water. If you suspect a disease problem (or if you would like to prevent one), please investigate the possibility of filtering your air and purifying / treating your birds' drinking water.
Relevant Websites: Louise Bauck DVM ... David Friddle DVM ... Antibiotics for Finches (good info)
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