Lady Gouldians

     People occasionally ask us about problems they're having with their Lady Gouldians. One common problem is that their bird(s) are going bald. Usually, this is the result of an iodine deficiency. In captivity, they simply don't get enough iodine in their normal diet. I recommend using either liquid iodine drops in their water, or sprinkling AviKelp on their food. Both are available in our online store. Besides causing feather loss, iodine deficiency can also lead to respiratory problems and difficulty reproducing. Another possible cause of balding is the bird being infested with the canary feather mite. A mite spray can usually help in this situation. 

     Another common problem has to do with their respiration. If the bird is gasping with a clicking or a wet sound, chances are it has air sac mites. They have to be treated with either a product called SCATT or Ivermectin. Ivermectin will require a vet visit. These are topical solutions that absorb into the skin like flea treatments for dogs or cats. It's recommended to also use an antibiotic as well, as the air sac mites can cause respiratory infections. 

 

 

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