eye irritation

sej · Member Joined: May 10, 2009 Posts: 8

hello
we picked up the first two of our new kakarikis a week ago. They are yellow fronted pied females. They look fit and healthy, active and eating well. However we have noticed that one of them keeps shutting one eye and rubs it along the perch like its irriating her. There is no discharge, swelling or sign of infection but it is clearly bothering her. We have also noticed her tail feathers are a little frayed looking with blackish dusty looking edges. On searching this forum i think this may be a sign of mites. am i right and could this be affecting her eye? If so woul'nt both eyes be irriatating her? have ordered some ivermectin which will arrive today but not sure if i should apply that and wait a few days to see if the problem dissapeaars or whether i should just take her to a vet? I would'nt want to make her eye worse by leaving it untreated if it is an infection. I would be grateful for your opinions. many thanks[/b]

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

Eye irritations need to be addressed quickly as they can get out of hand very fast.
It could be an eye infection or secondary infection due to mites and scratching
Either way invermectin will do no harm...worming /mites is done as a matter of routine for new birds.

On searching this forum i think this may be a sign of mites. am i right and could this be affecting her eye? yes
If so woul'nt both eyes be irriatating her? no

May also require an antbotic cream/injection for the infection.
So advise contacting a good avarian vet

They should be separated and the other dosed as well....there are infections like this that can be verycontagious

sej · Member Joined: May 10, 2009 Posts: 8

thanks for your advice. Ivermectin has arrived and i have dosed both birds (much to their discust!) I will take them both to our vet tomorrow for check over. If the vet finds a problem i will contact the breeder but i would,nt take it back as we drove two hrs to them and she is a lovely bird, very lively and freindly. The aviary they were in was large, airy and very clean. All the birds looked very active and healthy (we watched them for over half an hour before agreeing to buy them. thanks again for taking the time to reply to me, it is much appreciated

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

If someone has an issue with one of our birds...I NEED to know about it.
The reason is I could have a problem in an avairy or flight, or even an issue with a blood line.
I believe this would be athe attitude of any responsable breeder, be it a bird , dog or white rhino.