Very poorly Zebra finch - no voice, feather loss/balance

[Sally]

I'm so sorry to hear you lost him, it is never easy. Don't be too hard on yourself. Finches hide illnesses very well, and usually by the time it is obvious they are sick, they are actually quite ill and often beyond anything we can do for them. You tried your best, and that is all you can do.

[wildbird]

So sorry to hear about Mr. Zeb. The other birds will miss him too, so they need extra attention from you. They will help you to heal.

[cindy]

Sorry that you lost your zebra.

You will need to monitor your other birds that were housed with him just to make sure it was not something easily passed from bird to bird. Hope all will be alright.

[Spreckles]

So sorry you lost your little one it sounds like he may have been an old bird....and everyone is right you could not have done more for him. glad you joined us.

[fluffydust]

So sorry you lost your little one it sounds like he may have been an old bird....and everyone is right you could not have done more for him. glad you joined us.

It is entirely possible. I have no idea how old he was when I got him, he was very prolific when it came to breeding I know that much! He had loads of babies, and I still have 3 of them as adults, 2 of whom I reared myself and they all give me great joy.

I always think the more it hurts when you lose a pet, the more happiness they had given you in life. Mr Zeb was a brilliant chap.

[fluffydust]

Sorry that you lost your zebra.

You will need to monitor your other birds that were housed with him just to make sure it was not something easily passed from bird to bird. Hope all will be alright.

Indeed, partly why im getting some KD cleanser for them, and also some avisafe disinfectant for the cage etc, ive already replaced all nests, threw away seed and replaced with brand new after I removed him from the cage when he started getting ill.

Doing everything I can think of to maintain infection control, but he was ill for months and my other birds all seem as healthy as anything. So unless its something that likes to sit and wait fingers crossed.

[cindy]

It may or may not be something that can be passed, hopefully it was just isolated to him only.

[fluffydust]

It may or may not be something that can be passed, hopefully it was just isolated to him only.

It certainly seemed as such, although I understand some illnesses can lay dormant or have a very long incubation period.

All I can do is sterilise everything, throw all the extra vitamins and supplements I can at them and hope.

I only have 3 zebra finches, 2 Bengalese and a diamond dove, so its not like I have a massive flock germinating diseases, but they are all very personal to me and as im disabled I spend a lot of time just sitting in the lounge with them as company! They particularly like to keep me 'company' when im trying to eat....

[erine]

I'm sorry for your loss. Inevitable, when you keep a number of birds, but no less painful.

[fluffydust]

I'm sorry for your loss. Inevitable, when you keep a number of birds, but no less painful.

Thank you

Now poor Blackmask is alone, he was 'paired up' with Mr Zeb (both male but they still nested and stuff together)

When would be appropriate to get him a new friend? I would probably get him a female, but im not sure how soon I should do that.