Ailing Gouldian finch

[msanders]

I have a male gouldian that is alittle puffy and slow and wants to be mostly at the bottom of the cage. I put him in a cage by himself, treated him with antibiotics but no change.
He does chirp alittle but wants to sleep more than normal. He is not molting and looks beautiful but obviously isn't well.
It was suggested I treat him for air sac mites, however, he doesn't have any symptoms that would suggest he has them.
This has been going on for about 3 weeks and any help would be appreciated.
I have 3 other gouldians in various stages of molting and several other finches.
Thank you for any help.

[Meagan83]

I wonder what's up with your little boy ? Have you got a heat lamp or something on his cage yet? I'd be sure he's nice and warm and maybe offer him some diluted gatorade or something. I hope he gets better for you soon.

[nixity]

How long did you treat him with the antibiotics?
Which antibiotics did you use?

[msanders]

I have heat on my gouldian finch all day and have had for about 3 weeks. He seems better but still not himself as he just doesn't move around much or have much of a appetite.
I gave him Ornacycline for 5 days and I do think it helped but maybe should give it to him longer. This is treatment for birds with respiratory or intestinal bacterial infections.
Any advice?
Thank you.
Marianne

[Sally]

I would really hesitate to give more antibiotics unless you know for sure what you are treating. Otherwise, they could cause even more problems. What is his stool like? You say he is not eating, is this still going on? How about special treats, like spray millet, eggfood, whatever he seems to like--does he ignore those too? Three weeks is a long time to see little improvement.

[MLaRue]

Usually when treating with a medicine you see a result around day three if it is working. Something that usually takes a long time to kill the birds is yeast. If it was the wrong medicine then it could have allowed yeast to move in too now.