Had eye infection, now something stuck in throat maybe?!

[Corkysgirl]

My female zebra just finished her week of colloidal silver eye drops 5X daily 7 days. Her eye looks better, a little watery, but no feather loss, no clicking, runny nose, head swelling, or any other problems except she is now opening her mouth all the time and pacing quickly towards her mates cage and back...back and forth 6 inches while she does it. She's not panting or breathing like when they get hot. Rather, it looks like she is stretching her mouth or something is stuck in her throat because she's opening it wide then closing it to about 1/8 inch and leaving that way. Then she stops and does it again. She's never done this before. I gave her pedialyte today. I didn't know what else to do besides her warm cage, Full spectrum bulb on one side, seed, pears with oatmeal and eggs and shells today. Could one be stuck?

[cindy]

Perhaps she swallowed a piece of shell and it either got stuck or irritated, scratched the throat as she swallowed.

[Corkysgirl]

You're probably right. I can't think of anything else that it could be. She's doing it all night. Goes to her water, jumps down, runs back and forth over and over and over and does that mouth stretching thing like something's really bothering her. I saw her bobbing her tail just before I put her to bed. Her poop is normal, not loose but very white...like totally white and she eats tons of greens. The other birds have other colors in theirs. I thought of a tumor also because of the eye still watering though the infection seems to have cleared up. There's nothing I can do for her other than I've done right? I put her to bed a little early for extra sleep so she doesn't struggle so much. I'll see in the morning. I hope it's just a scratch. Really don't want to wake up to her worse. Thanks for responding.

[cindy]

all white droppings can indicate an issue with the pancreas or digestive problems.


http://www.mfgouldianfinches.com/Poopol ... gyPg1.html

"White droppings, where nearly the entire dropping is white is also a reason for concern and indicate a potential kidney malfunction or an
out of control yeast infection. Sometimes coccidia will cause white droppings, but more likely will leave a "wet vent" situation with the bird "butt pumping" and a creamy white residue on the feathers surrounding the vent. I will occasionally see white droppings if there is a gizzard problem. Problems include gizzard worms (not typically passed in the droppings), a gizzard impaction (can be worms, too much grit, a malfunction typically indicative of a bacterial infection in the gizzard), or improper supplementation."

I suggest you call ladygouldian.com back and get an opinion as to what is going on. Does her droppings look like large white popcorn? Is it watery white?

[Corkysgirl]

My female zebra still did the opening her beak wide until this morning. Now she's just opening it a tiny bit. I think it may have been a scratch from egg shells. I will be more careful. I don't think she's impacted from grit. I never gave it to them, didn't know they needed it, just eggs shells and cuddle bone. No wet vent, or butt bumping. Her poop today has a tiny bit of green. I've given her pedialyte the past few days. I think she was seriously depleted in minerals from distilled water and no mineral block and male bird not letting her eat. Her poop was all white but flatter, not like pop corn, puffed up but not wet. Just pure white. I was putting vinegar in her water once per week the last couple weeks so I don't think it's yeast. I will see how the rest of today goes, if more green with greens. I tried reintroducing her to the male. Forget it! She's never going back with him. He instantly abused her. They just have to be friends without benefits. I will call Larraine. Thanks again!

[debbie276]

If you don't trust your own water source I would give them bottled water but never distilled.

[Corkysgirl]

I didn't get to call Larraine about her today, no phone. I asked Larraine about the distilled water and she said it was fine. I was concerned because of the lack of minerals but she said it was fine. Her diet was good. Why do you say not to? I have a good spring, an artesian well. It's probably the best water source possible but because I have cancer and have drank it, always careful before about any amoebas, parasites, bacteria. I also use a machine that requires I drink it after using it. That's why I started using it for them. I didn't trust my water in the last state I lived in. Since May I live here. I didn't know if the spring has any bacteria but doubt it.

[cindy]

Most fresh springs and wells can be tested to see if they contain bacteria, parasites. I would if in doubt get the water tested and use bottled water for you finches. Call you local health department and ask if you can have water samples tested, it will put you mind at ease.