Finch breathing problem--can you help me identify it?

[wibblewobble]

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can help me...

For the past year my male zebra finch has been breathing through his mouth. He doesn't continuously do this but most of the time he does. When he breathes I can hear a faint clicking sound. He has also lost his ability to sing loudly. He'll whistle but it'll sound a bit croaky.

He's been treated for mites. He eats and drinks fine and hops about and still has lots of energy. His breathing problem hasn't got any worse or better since it started. I've taken him to the vets but she wasn't sure what to advise so she gave me the number of a bird expert and he said that, if the finch is still energetic, there's nothing to worry about...

If anyone can offer me any advise on what this might be or how I can help my little finch, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks,

Cassie

[Spreckles]

This is so strange. Can birds get asthma or some kind of chronic respiratory issue? It could be the birds anatomy. If he isn't actually sick it may be a physical defect and the bird has accommodated to it.
Just a thought.

Karen

[lovezebs]

wibblewobble

Hi Cassie, and welcome to the Forum.

Does he open mouth breath when he is stressed? For example, when people approach his cage, some unusual occurrence, noises, etc?

I am asking this, because there are birds who will do this when they are stressed or frightened or panicked.

If this is something that he has been doing for the last year, without any other symptoms, or without getting any worse, than I don't think that it's a disease of some sort.

Is he an only bird? And where in the house is his cage situated?

[wibblewobble]

Hi lovezebs,

Thanks for your help.

He lives with 2 other finches. The cage is in my bedroom, in view of the window but not directly in front of it. He breathes the same at night while his cage is covered.

[lovezebs]

wibblewobble

That is an odd one.

How old is your boy, by the way? Does he do this type of breathing all the time, or just occasionally? Is there any nasal discharge that you can see?

I'm wondering, if he's breathing this way, because his nose is plugged up somehow (?)

I'm going to tag Cindy and see what she thinks.

[wibblewobble]

Lovezebs,

Sorry bud I don't know how to tag you in

He's three years old. He pretty much breathes like that all the time though occasionally he won't open his mouth as though he can breathe through his nose. I thought it might be something like that too--his nose being plugged up or something but it looks normal. It's so weird. I just wish I could do something. I don't like the idea of him being uncomfortable.

[lovezebs]

wibblewobble

To tag someone on the Forum , just tap on the little box to the left of the profile box (at the bottom of the page).


I'm still hoping that our Cindy will chime in at some point, and have some thoughts on this problem.