Revolution to treat mites on parakeet

Question
Hi.  One of my parakeets has biting mites (the ones that you cannot see, not the fat, red ones you can see).  Since he lives with two others, and they fly free in a room together, I know I will have to treat all three and clean the daylights out of the room. I treat my pet rabbits with Revolution, but am not sure I can use that on the birds.  Would a drop or two do the job for a parakeet?  I know of a bird vet who treats cockatiels with Revolution, and she didn't see any reason not to treat the parakeets but was rather secretive about how much to give.  I would like to treat them myself as I treat my rabbits myself.  Can you tell me how much Revolution to use if you think it is ok to use it on parakeets?  Thanks.

Answer
Dorothy,

The only problem you will run into is the wrong amount could definitely harm your birds. I would personally find a mite spray or dust used specifically for birds/parakeets. Your vet is probably secretive about the amount needed because she knows that if she tells you to give xx amount and it kills your bird, she would be blamed. Spend the money and get the right mite treatment and you will not have to worry much about wether it is safe or if it will kill your birds.


Hi Dorothy,

If you feel your vet is out for just the money you need to find a new vet. I have seen very few vets over the years that put pet safety over money.


Also Revolution is not used for rabbits and birds. It is used ON rabbits and birds, but is intended for dogs and cats. Everything else is based on the absorbtion rate of the skin of said animals. I did some very quick research, Selamectin is the active ingredient in Revolution. The maximum dosage of 15MG is recommended on buzzard sized birds, as it is the only documented testing on a living, flying bird. A vet found a buzzard unable to fly because of mites and administered the 15MG of revolution, the bird was released back into the wild able to fly again after a few days worth of treatment. It is certainly a gamble, you could always get a second opinion from another vet. The answer you are looking for is not out there in black and white, you will only get someone's opinion.