Society Daddy with Air Sac Mites?

[mrshorn]

He seems really bad tonight! Please say some prayers, because I think we're going to lose him.

[lovemyfinch]

Prayers are with you and your little one.

[Finch Fry]

Yah, i hope he makes it! I noticed my hen is good in the AM and then deteriorates during the day.

Meaning, yesterday morning she seemed 100% fine after she woke up from her sleep. By the time I came home from work that night, she was still herself, but with the open mouth breathing. I guess it being respitory and her being up all day and feeding 4 chicks, she gets worn out. Perhaps this is whats happening with your soc? He gets worn out during the day?? Is he enjoying the heat? Have you isolated him?

[cindy]

How are both the birds doing today? Is everyone ok?

[L in Ontario]

Such a difficult time. I hope he's better this morning.

[mrshorn]

Chris- Donald is in a hospital cage right now so he won't infect the rest of his family. His babies are fledged and almost all are weaned anyway. So, no he does not have any feeding responsibilities. My hubby was thinking maybe we should put him back so he could at least be happy, but I do not want to run the risk.


This morning when he woke up, he was doing what I believe to be the clicking sound that has been referred on these boards. The weird thing is, after he got moving around a bit, he shook it off. He still labors to breathe and gets puffed up. He sounds like he has mucus in his throat. I don't know what else to do. I left for work in a funk, and all I want to do is be home with him. If I thought for two seconds it wouldn't scare him, I would hold him all day. I feel useless and all I can do is watch him be miserable. What else can I do? I'm desperate.

[Finch Fry]

hmm... maybe its just a little cold and he will shake it off soon. The heat will do him good and the smaller cage so he cant fly around and be bothered by the kids is probably the best you can do.

Equate solitude and heat to be the equivalent to holding a child and taking care of him/her all day when sick. Its the best you can do.

I think my hen has a little cold as well since she is good in the morning and a little tired and open mouth breathes in the evening.

[Finch Fry]

any updates?

[CandoAviary]

Poor Donald. Hoping he just has a cold and will bounce back. Are you still treating with the antibiotics? Still sending up prayers

FinchFry,
I just noticed your new signiture species list.

[mrshorn]

Sorry for the lack of update... I really don't have any good news, but no bad either. The only improvement we have seen is when he tries to do his manly man song, he can actually squeak out some noise now, but not too much. He still has the heavy breathing, and you can't pry him from the heat. He drinks his medicated water everyday, and still eats. It's frustrating because everytime the breathing looks like it is under control, and we start to feel some hope, it gets bad again. Tomorrow will make it a week. What sucks is when I see him all puffed out, and his eyes are closed. I know he is uncomfortable, and I can't do jack about it! I hate feeling like my hands are tied. I honestly don't know how people can be vets or doctors. My friends keep telling me I should have been a vet, but I think they are out of their minds!! I would be in therapy in less than a week. I hate that he does not understand that why he is in the tiny cage away from his family that he tries to call to all day. If it is in fact a cold, how long do symptoms last in these guys?

Thank you for the prayers! They mean SO MUCH to me, and I take comfort in them!

[GOULDYGIRL]

Lisa, I'm so sorry to hear that. It's so hard with animals. I wish they could understand that we are trying to help them. At least with Dogs and Cats they can still be with us and we can cuddle and baby them. We can't do that with birds and we have to isolate them which breaks my heart too.

I wish I could help but you seem to be doing everything you possibly can. I hope all your efforts pay off. Birds are so difficult to treat sometimes.

Renee

[mrshorn]

Donald goes back to Magnolia to get another treatment for ASM tomorrow. I hope and pray this does the trick. He is fighting as hard as he can, and I know his will to live is strong. He was a bit more chipper this morning, but last night he looked terrible. I took him out over the weekend to clean the feathers on the top of his head, (they were stuck to his head and beak) and when I caught him, a bunch of his feathers flew off him. His fighting spirit came through when he bit my thumb as hard as he could, and he tried to bite the cotton swab too. Bless his heart, and his brass you know whats. It only took a minute and when I went to release him in the hospital cage, he just laid in my hand and gasped for air. I am scared about what it will be like tomorrow. He just needs to pull through!! I am getting to the point where if the treatment does not work, I need to consider his quality of life. It is not fair to prolong a suffering animals life. I don't even want to think of that though.

[CandoAviary]

Poor Donald. Still praying.
I know what you mean about watching poor animals suffer and feeling helpless. I was going to be a vet... and for the reasons you mentioned about seeing animals suffer... and the other side of it... the ignorant pet keepers who don't care for their pets. (not you so don't go there and assume that ) At the vets we had an ignorant guy let his dog run loose, got hit by a car, brought the dog to the vet and wanted to know how much it would cost to set the leg. Upon finding out how much he said " how much to euthanize"... He opted for the aninmal to be put down because it was cheaper to just but another dog I was livid...I could of run over him myself with my car
Anyway the Vet I worked for did not destroy the dog. He set the little shih tzu's leg and took it home for his daughter.(though it is not legal we all swore that we would not tell.) He lived a long and happy life. Opened my eyes to the fact I did not have the temperment to be a vet and deal with these sort of people. That is why I went into the dog grooming, boarding business. Those type people love their pets and are a pleasure to serve
I know you are doing everything you can for Donald. It just may be something like lung cancer/tumor or something that just can't be fixed. I will hope for the best and pray for his comfort,,,, and yours.

[sur]

Hello Everyone,
I am new, so i have no idea what i will do to get rid of this problem.
I have4 pairs of Gouldian finches, 2 pairs are in their own separate cages and they are fine. My birds are in garage which is covered, BUT IT IS LITTLE COLD.3 week ago i bought another gouldian finch male, but after 2 days that guy look lazy when checked him he looked week to me so i put him separate cage for 2 weeks then he looked ok, so i put him with my other 2 pairs, but now i am seeing same sympton in my other four birds also, they are also not active, i thought may be they have air mite problem so i bought SCATT, but i am not exactly sure that they have AIR MITE problem or not, is this save to give them this medicine,please help to indentify the problem and how get rid of it.
Many thanks inadvance.
Nomi

[mrshorn]

I am sorry about your birds. My bird did not make it, and no one was ever able to tell us what was wrong with him. As the very knowledgeable people on this board have told me, when you get new birds, they need to be quarantined for at least 30 days. I am trying to tell by your post, but it does not look like you quarantined. Unfortunately, I have no other experience treating ASM. Keep the sick birds in a hospital cage with a heat lamp, plenty of food and water, and treat them for ASM (following the directions of the medicine you have) if that is what you think they have. There is a whole thread about ASM at the top of the Health page. See if there is some good advice on there for you, or start your own thred. The people on this board are quick to respond and eager to help. Good luck!!

Also, IMO, cold is not good for birds. I am pretty sure they need to be kept warm, but obviously people have outdoor aviaries, so I am not sure. I keep everyone inside. We live close to the ocean, and the night air here is very wet.