Is something wrong here?

[Wolf]

Have you tried using the mite spray on him to see if it makes any difference in his behavior? It is possible that the person you got the cage from just used it as a precaution or they could have had a mite problem. But if it helps him be more comfortable, I would at least try it.

[Pajarita]

I know those sprays are supposed to be safe but, to tell you the truth, Wolf, I don't like using them -I always think that the bird will breathe it in, that it might get into their eyes, that kind of thing. Scatt is put on their skin (best to do it right on the jugular), it's absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin and ends up all over the bird's body in the safest way possible. I might be wrong on this, I've never actually done any research about it, this is just a gut feeling I have.

[Wolf]

I know those sprays are supposed to be safe but, to tell you the truth, Wolf, I don't like using them -I always think that the bird will breathe it in, that it might get into their eyes, that kind of thing. Scatt is put on their skin (best to do it right on the jugular), it's absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin and ends up all over the bird's body in the safest way possible. I might be wrong on this, I've never actually done any research about it, this is just a gut feeling I have.

I really do agree with you, but they have this on hand and if they are careful to apply it only to the body the risk is reduced and if it works then they know what the problem is and can get the better stull. I am only after to help the bird as soon as possible and a one time use might do that.

[thelonelysnake]

The bottle says "THIS PRODUCT IS HARMFUL TO HUMANS AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS" and it also says not to let the animal ingest it, but if you have to saturate the feathers in order for it to have any effect (directions on the bottle) how do you keep the bird from preening?

I just don't feel like its very safe and I'm really not sure I want to risk making my baby sick(er).

[shiraartain]

I was warned against mite sprays when I had my tiel and budgie. A lady on the forum I used to be on who worked with wild birds said she had once rescued a wild bird (with a broken leg/wing?) and the mite spray had been what had killed it. She advised against store-brought treatments and said it was best to go to the vet, so I've been avoiding store-bought sprays.

[Wolf]

If it says that on it, I would throw it out at once! Thank you for that info.

[marie83]

I don't know what product it was off hand but when Ollie was pulling his feathers the vet treated him for mites -just in case as there was no evidence he had them. He told me to never use the sprays as they are ineffective at best and potentially really harmful to the bird at worst and to use the spot ons on the back of the neck near the base of the head where they can't preen it off.

[marie83]

Jut to add most store bought flea/wormer/antibiotic treatments are largely ineffective when it comes to cat/dogs and small furrys so I would assume the same about most bird products too.

[Pajarita]

Good, we are all in agreement that mite/lice sprays are not good for birds. Scatt is the one that is put either on the jugular or in the back of the neck where there are no feathers (Ivermectin works the same way but you need to go to a specialized bird store to get it while Scatt is sold over the net).

[thelonelysnake]

Well Draco went to the vet and the vet said that everything is fine. He checked for mites and ran some blood work and my baby is 100% healthy.

I guess I was just freaking out over nothing. I changed all the cage things and cleaned every square inch of the cage insanely thoroughly just to be on the safe side though.