??white line of 'fuzz' on gouldian beak

[nadinecannon]

In 6' cage with 20 extremely healthy gouldians, two have fallen prey to something I can't find in the books. Main symptom is thread of white stuff on edge of beak which I can scrape off. Not flying and stool not tight. Stool thread looks mustard and urine yellow.

Situation as follows:

1) Three times/week they're on Dr. Rob Marshall's diet
2) Now at moulting season, they have been given 2-day ivermectin treatment 1/25, 2/14, 3/7/11
3) Normal eating, stand straight, no scratching, no fluffing feathers, no watery eye, and alert.

I hope there is someone here who can help me. Thanks.

[B CAMP]

Sorry can't be of much help but you might want to check out this link,
http://www.finchniche.com/a-poopology.php

[B CAMP]

Can you post a picture of the white line ,someone could know what it is ?

[L in Ontario]

I can't help much either. Photos would be terrific though, as Bill suggested.

I don't use invermectin and don't give Dr Marshall's diet so I can't offer an opinion on those either.

Will be waiting for pics, if possible.

[burquechick]

Hard to say without pictures, but I'm thinking systemic fungal infection.

[nadinecannon]

If this is Bill, I'm having a problem with this site as I see no message from you relating to this reply. Your name does not appear here. Howeever, I did receive your reply about systemic....whatever it was as I don't remember.

I've applied a drop of ivermectin to the necks of four birds, one the original I noticed. I had scraped the line of white fuzz from her beak with my fingernail. Two days later, w hich is today, I also scraped. But she has already received two drops directly on her skin. I don't see how this fungus or whatever it is has advanced when it's being treated so aggressively. I think I'm wrong with the denomination of 'scaly face'.

I have a lot of birds, and they're all at risk. I live in a three-room apt., and these birds are all my friends. I can't stand no being able to cure their malady.

Since I am really flumuxed by this website, I don't even know whether I'll be able to find you again to tell you the ending...I hope it's not the bitter end, a rock climbing term relating to the end of the rope.

Nadine

[burquechick]

this is what Bill (username B CAMP) wrote:

Sorry can't be of much help but you might want to check out this link,
http://www.finchniche.com/a-poopology.php

Then he asked you to post a picture. According to that link, and your description of your birds' poop, it sounds like there is liver damage. That is why I suggested "systemic", as a fungal infection CAN be.

But if you also think it is possible that it could be a fungal infection then Ivermectin should not be effective in treating that. Ivermectin is an antihelminthic, meaning parasites. You would rather need an anti-fungal, but I don't know what specifically.

[burquechick]

Ok, I have consulted my Merck Veterinary Manual on the section of caged birds. I think it sounds like Trichomoniasis infection, which commonly causes "frounce" AKA white stuff on the side of the beak. This is a protozoan infection and the book recommends Metronidazole 40-60 mg/kg orally once a day for 5 days. I don't know if this is really advisable, but you should be able to tell for sure by looking in the mouth of the birds. If you can do that without hurting them, you should see white-yellowish stuff in there, particularly under the tongue. I can also tell you that Metronidazole is HORRIBLE stuff, and could actually kill them. It can cause pretty bad liver damage. So you really want to be sure they need it. But if it is Trich, they will die without it (that's what the book says). Might be best to see a vet...

edited to say: I didn't mean liver damage, I meant kidney damage.

[burquechick]

One last thing, if you had your hands on some Metronidazole, the book estimates the average finch at 10g, so that's 0.4-0.6 mg per finch per day.