Trying to figure out what is going on with this gouldian

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So far only the one bird died and very quickly. I have one more week to go on air sac mite treatment for the birds. I have one gouldian hen separated that has some head jerking which I believe now is coughing except her beak stays closed. This is the bird I am trying to figure out what is going on . The male she was in with is her same age.

From what people are saying it sounds like I should finish air sac mite treatment , then something for respiratory infection and then ronivet.

Does that sound right?

[CandoAviary]

Personally, I would treat for respiratory infection with the antibiotic amoxitex. I would sprinke probiotics on the foods during and after treament also. I would not treat for fungal or protozoan infections unless the antibiotics do not work. There are usually signs of the later infections of sleepiness during the day, fluffing and inactivity. It usually takes a while for the bird to waste away. Of course if the bird became coupled with ASM death could of resulted quickly. Too bad you don't have an avian vet close by that could do a culture or necropsy.
At this point you will just be guessing as to what it could be... but my guess would be bacterial respiratory infection.

[MLaRue]

When birds die quickly it is usually viral. If you were given no warning signs and the bird just dropped dead then it is either environmental or viral.

Treating the birds with Ronivet should be part of a quarantine procedure IMO. I would treat for ASM, worms, and canker/protozoa. In my opinion it is better to be safe then sorry. And, all three of these things are easily treated in quarantine.

If you suspect ASM then yes I would follow up with an antibiotic to prevent any infections from setting in if they are trying to expel dead ASM. You also would do a follow up treatment for ASM.

Too many other problems will look like respiratory infections. Such as strep infections but with strep there is usually a smell associated with their feces.

[CandoAviary]

[quote="MLaRue"]
Treating the birds with Ronivet should be part of a quarantine procedure IMO. I would treat for ASM, worms, and canker/protozoa. In my opinion it is better to be safe then sorry. And, all three of these things are easily treated in quarantine.
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I couldn't agree more. Quarantine any new birds seperate from established birds is the very best way to keep losses down. If you do have a new bird pass you are most likely not going to loose others. Even when you buy what looks to be healthy birds, the stress of a new enviroment, shipping, etc. can be enough to bring underlying issues to the surface. Once you have the medicine chest of meds, they can be kept in the refrigerator for a good long time, there by having them ready for new birds when they arrive.

Here are a couple of sites to help you with figuring out what may be going on.Best wishes for healthy finches.
http://www.gorgeousgouldians.com/a-protozoa.asp

http://ladygouldianfinch.com/features_airsacmites.mgi

http://ladygouldianfinch.com/features_goinglight.mgi

A good quanantine procedure
http://www.mfgouldianfinches.com/Health ... dures.html