Galah Foot Problem - Scaly

[rick]

My galah has a strange scaly foot problem.. I have had no luck finding out what this is .. If someone could help me out, would be much appreciated as there is no Avian vet in my area.

It seems he is quite distressed if I touch the area as you can see in the attached photos.. I am hoping he is in not too much pain (if any). I was thinking this might be a birth defect?

[avinet]

Sept 12, 2013 20:38:05 GMT 10 rick said:

My galah has a strange scaly foot problem.. I have had no luck finding out what this is .. If someone could help me out, would be much appreciated as there is no Avian vet in my area.

It seems he is quite distressed if I touch the area as you can see in the attached photos.. I am hoping he is in not too much pain (if any). I was thinking this might be a birth defect?

You are right - it is a strange foot problem.  As usual a question or two.  Firstly is it only on the one foot - is the other completely normal?  Secondly did the bird have the growth when you got the bird , and if not then how long has it had this growth? 

My initial thought is that it is scaly foot mite - a tiny mite that burrows into the flesh of the foot to suck blood, and as a result the bird grows an overgrowth to try to counter the mite.  However that mite is most commonly seen in budgies, canaries and some finches and is also common in poultry.  I have never seen it in a Galah, although there is no reason why it couldn't occur in a Galah.  It is also quite a bit different in appearance to typical scaly mite but maybe that is a reflection of the bird being a Galah and not a budgie.  I am by no means convinced that Scaly mite is the problem - but I am at a loss to think of anything else!

The best treatment of Scaly mite is using Ivermectin.  That comes in two forms, one given via the mouth and the other being a spot-on used by placing a few drops on bare skin (usually the back of the neck) where it is absorbed through the skin into the blood - when the mite then sucks blood it is killed.  The form you would need is "Ivomec Pour-on for Cattle" which come sin 250 ml bottles from produce stores.  Since you only need two doses of about 10 drops you would have a lot left over!!! 

Where about do you live - there may be possibilities for getting hold of a small amount.  If you know any poultry breeders they may have some for instance.

If it is scaly mite and you can treat with Ivermec then the growths should disappear within 2 to 3 weeks - usually we give a repeat dose after 2 weeks to ensure all the mites are killed, as well as a major clean out of the cage, especially perches, to make sure reinfection doesn't occur.

If Ivermec isn't able to be sourced then there are other treatments - less convenient but still likely to be effective.

cheers,

Mike

[rick]

Thanks Mike,

Well as far as I'm aware it has been there since I have had the bird. It is only on one foot, the other is completely normal. I was inspecting the other foot in the same area as the scaly part and he would let me, but he is pretty defensive if I go near his scaly bump.

I got him from a rural area who specialised in all different kinds of birds and chooks.. not the most hygenic or professional operation thats for sure - he was cooped up in a corner away from the other birds on the floor in a small cage.. felt like I was more rescuing him than purchasing him.. so you may be right.

I will give Ivermectin a go.. it shouldn't be too hard to dig up in my area. Maybe even from the place where I bought him. Do I just put it on the neck or should I put some on the foot also? Is there something I can do with the foot to help it heal? I was thinking paw paw ointment..?

While I'm at it - 2 more questions - firstly, I haven't given him any mite spray or anything, what is recommended for galahs? And worming, I have not done this either.

Once again, your help is much appreciated. Hopefully I can get this to clear up.

Cheers,
Rick

[avinet]

I'm still not convinced it is scaly mite but that is the only think I can think of.  Treatment with ivermectin will do no harm - be sure to get the right type - the pour-on for cattle.  To give the treament move the feathers aside on the bck of the neck to see skin, then put about 0.5ml of the ivermectin onto that skin.

Given where the bird came from worming would be an excellent idea.  Use Vetafarm's Wormout Gel - it can be given in the drinking water.  If you can't get it locally it is on Ebay - www.ebay.com.au/itm/VETAFARM-BIRD-WORMOUT-GEL-50ML-/200856717989?pt=AU_Pet_Supplies&hash=item2ec3fe4aa5 - just follow the instructions on the container. 

Mite and lice can be a problem but I generally don't spray unless I see some - if you do want to treat then any of the available mite and lice sprays for birds will be OK - they all are pretty much identical.

What part of Australia are you in - there are some vets with bird experience in country areas, and it is possible that one of our members can make a recommendation.

cheers,

Mike

[rick]

Update: I purchased some of this www.vetafarm.com.au/products/AVIMEC-50mL.html - figure a galah is around 300gs so will give him 10 drops..? It says 1 drop per 30g of bird so I figure that is the go. maybe in 2 sessions tonight and repeat weekly as per the instructions.

Hopefully this works! Was $28.95. I'll buy the worm out gel also.

Im a few hours west of Bris.

[avinet]

Sept 13, 2013 13:12:31 GMT 10 rick said:

Update: I purchased some of this www.vetafarm.com.au/products/AVIMEC-50mL.html - figure a galah is around 300gs so will give him 10 drops..? It says 1 drop per 30g of bird so I figure that is the go. maybe in 2 sessions tonight and repeat weekly as per the instructions.

Hopefully this works! Was $28.95. I'll buy the worm out gel also.

Im a few hours west of Bris.

Avimec must be a new product from Vetafarm - certainly it has come out after we closed our pet shop.  That's great that Ivermectin is available in a product especially packaged for birds now, without having to going to the cattle version.  Hopefully it will do the job - keep us informed on the progress, you should see it improving withing 2 weeks.

If there is no improvement then it is going to have some cause other than a mite.  In that case I would suggets you ask your local vet to email the pictures and history to Dr Adrian Gallagher at the Brisbane Bird Vet - www.brisbanebirdvet.com.au/  .   Adrian is one of Australia's top bird vets, only deals with birds, and is happy to help other vets with their bird related problems

cheers,

Mike

[rick]

Thanks Mike,

I'll be sure to contact Adrian if it doesn't clear up.

I managed to get 5 drops on as best I could.. I gave him a shower first as I thought that would be best.. was not the easiest task to say the least, luckily I had someone to assist.. Only problem aside from the struggle is I spilt some ivermectin on his feathers.. still on his neck area and out of reach of his beak.. The bottle has a small pin hole plastic top which is not very good at all. I am wondering if I should wash him again tonight, or if the chemical will be best to sit there and just watch his nibbling my fingers after scratches? The bottle says to repeat in one week so I will follow this for 2 weeks, except next time I will be purchasing a dropper from a pharmacy.

Also, a bit off topic - Could you direct me to a good bird clipping video/instruction page. I am going to clip his wings.. originally I was against the idea, but I don't think I could bear to lose him.. he has become an important part of the family.

Thanks Mike, your advice is always helpful.

[avinet]

I wouldn't worry about the spilt Avimec - if he can't reach it then it won't be a problem.  As long as some got onto the skin all is OK. 

I have an article about wing clipping at scas.org.au/html/wing_clipping.html which tells you what to clip and how to do it.  With a Galah start out by cutting just the outer 2 flight feathers, and then see how the bird flies.  Galahs are quite heavy birds for their wings so often they don't need too may feathers clipped and if you take too many off then they can't easily be replaced until he next moults - late summer is the normal time.  See how he flies with two cut on each side and then progressively cut one more on each side until he can fly to the ground but is not able to take off.   If you cut too many he will land heavily and possibly hurt himself.  I would even wait a day between each clip so he gradually adjusts to the change.  Usually a Galah will end up with 4 or 5 feathers cut on each side, but it can vary.  And note that this clip will mean the bird is safe as long as there is no wind - if it is windy make sure he isn't outside.  If he was clipped to be safe outside in the wind he would be over-clipped for inside and in danger of doing himself serious injury.

cheers,

Mike