Societies open-mouth, but no clicking...

[MistyCate]

My two pet society finches seem to be showing some strange behavior. They sit with their mouths open. But there is definitely no clicking or other symptoms of air sac mites. They were recently added together in one cage a few weeks ago - one is newer, but I had him in a separate cage when I brought him home from Petsmart to make sure he was okay.

It was infrequent in the newer bird, now I am noticing it more in both. Mostly when they sit in their nest. But they seem happy, eating, preening, singing, bathing etc otherwise. (I believe both to be males. There are no eggs.)

Could it be heat or stress? The room has AC, but not too cold.

Another factor is that two small 3 month old kittens were recently adopted into our household. The kittens have seen the birds and are curious, but I have had success in keeping them at bay. When we are not at home the birds are in a quiet room, door closed from kitten-access.

But the behavior was infrequent (mostly in the new bird) even before the new additions to the family.

Any advice? SHould I try electrolytes before antibiotics if any? If so what kind; anything from PetsMart?

thanks in advance!
~Misty

[debbie276]

Doesn't sound like it would be heat if you're air conditioning the room. Maybe stress of a new environment. Are they in a bigger cage then they are used to? Sometimes from being in a small cage, especially those that come from pet stores, need some time to get back in shape once they can fly and exercise more.
At this point I wouldn't worry but do keep a close eye on them.

[finchmix22]

I bought several finches from PetSmart years ago. I learned they are not always healthy and need the typical quarantine medications, to prevent illness. Before I learned about quarantine and preventative meds/supplements, I lost 3 of the finches I bought.

I treat all new birds (and the one you already own, as it is now exposed to anything the other might be carrying) with the following below, which I buy from ladygouldianfinch.com; although, there are other places you can purchase these products.
QUARANTINE PROCEDURE:
1 drop S76 or Ivermectin to thigh, repeat in one week, then annually.
5-7 days of Ronex 12% in the water
3 days of filtered water
Worm Away, follow bottle instructions
Back to filtered water, so they don't pick up some microorganism like Giardia or other things we can find in treated city water supplies.

[MistyCate]

The new one, Andy was moved from the temporary smaller cage to the existing cage with the single existing finch, Tumbleweed. Its still not a large cage, but certainly more room. It's funny, as soon as I posted this dilema, they stopped doing it, so it's only periodic I guess. But still odd... I will def. keep an eye on them! Thanks!

Doesn't sound like it would be heat if you're air conditioning the room. Maybe stress of a new environment. Are they in a bigger cage then they are used to? Sometimes from being in a small cage, especially those that come from pet stores, need some time to get back in shape once they can fly and exercise more.
At this point I wouldn't worry but do keep a close eye on them.