My female parakeet has mites. What do I do?

[sguerra85]

Hello all,

My female budgie named Doki has mites. Her mate recently died of head/feet mites. She looked fine until recently, when I noticed a crusty white buildup on the perimeter of her beak, and even a small bore hole on on side of her beak. Her head feathers also look very messy and she seems to be scratching more than usual lately. From what I can tell, there is no scaly matter on her feet. Here are some pics of her from last week or so:










I regret to say I am financially down on my luck right now and can't afford a vet visit. However, it is early on, and I can do more to help her now. I have heard of a few solutions:

Sevindust
Apple Cider Vinegar
Mite treatment thing you hang on the side of the cage that you can get from Wal-mart.
Some mite treatment called SCATT

What should I do to save my bird?? 

Any help is appreciated.

[Budgiebonkers]

I use invermectin it works beauifully. Or if your straped for cash i read use vaseline you put it on the affected spots so it sufficates the mites. Or cooking oil sufficates them as well.

[Sarah]

Try to get the medicine if you can, it clears it up amazingly fast. Still, like bonkers says, if you can't afford anything better, slather her cere, feet, and legs in Vaseline. You will have to do it over and over, every time it starts to get thin or you can't see it shine on her. You must starve the mites of air for a few days.

[gardenfish]

And don't forget to clean and sanitize eveything and throw out things that cant be cleaned.

rick

[sguerra85]

Thanks for the info guys! Judging by the pics, does Doki look like she has head mites at all?

And don't forget to clean and sanitize eveything and throw out things that cant be cleaned.

rick

I sterilized everything and every cage after LOki (the male) died. I thought that would have taken care of it. Oh well, the cages/perches/accessories are due for another cleaning anyway.

I might have to get the Wal-Mart mite treatment for birds, or use vingegar or apple cider vinegar, because, I don't know where to get that other stuff and I rather not use vaseline as Doki is not hand tame and it would be near impossible to hold her still and slather vaseline on her.

[Sarah]

Unfortunately none of these photos are clear enough to tell, I am sorry. Could you try again? Very close to her cere and very clear.

[sguerra85]

Unfortunately none of these photos are clear enough to tell, I am sorry. Could you try again? Very close to her cere and very clear.

I got her checked out and she doesn't have mites. Thank goodness. I honestly tried to take as clear pictures as possible. Maybe I need to take photos outside for more light.