Sick finch update...

[6finchfriends]

Hi all,
Well it's been 3 days my little sick Society boy has been on the Erythromycin for birds (put it in his water), electrolites, toasty & under a heat lamp. This morning I could hear him cheeping to his flock in the next room! I took a good look at him when I freshened his medicated water and food and I 'think' he is almost breathing normally!!!!! No more open beak gasping but I can still see his little chest laboring a little. The treatment runs for 5 days and then I'm thinking of keeping him in the hospital cage another week just so I can baby him a little longer. I can't say thank you enough for all of your help! I sure hope he makes it!
Oh, I do have a question. it says to take all water out at night so they'll drink the medicine in the morning and don't give any foods with water in them like corn or peas etc. But I have the heat lamp on him day and night. I'm afraid to take his water away if the heat lamp is on all night. What do you all think?

[Mozelle]

I always leave the medicated water in the cage. I can't remember how often that particular med needs to be replaced with fresh, but just keep it as fresh as you can - and let him have it whenever he wants.

[lovemyfinch]

If they say to remove all water over night I would. JMHO
The reason being that if he drinks normal water first thing in the morning, before you switch it out, he is going to be less thirsty thus less likely to drink the medication if he feels it doesn't taste good.
He should usually be sleeping at night anyway, even with the heatlamp.

Glad to hear that he is getting back to his normal self.

[debbie276]

good to hear hes doing a little better
good luck

[6finchfriends]

Each packet makes 8oz. so I give him that several times a day in clean bowls. It's only good for 24 hours so I make a new batch every morning. I'm keepin' my fingers crossed.