What is this!

[kyle]

Thank you Debbie! I will apply some with a Q-tip tomorrow as he has already been traumatized enough today. Lol. If anyone has had experience with scaly mites I'd love to have their imput. Thanks.

[Derk]

kyle
I ordered what was supposed to be a pure white (clear) zebra finch pair. They ended up being female chestnut flank whites instead. One of them had a weird area under her beak right next to her feathers. I took her to my vet and the vet was sure it was beak mites. Because the bird was quite thin, as well, and had an obviously swollen liver we decided adding a topical or internal parasitic toxin was not a good way to go.

Instead, the vet suggested I use a light mineral oil dabbed on with a q-tip. It took several month but it did eventually do the trick. The other bird was fine and remained fine even though I decided to keep them together. The vet said that it does sometimes happen that the mites will remain on a particular bird and that some birds seem prone to having on/off again mite issues. I must say that even as a newbie at the time I new the bird was not well. Your gouldian looks beautiful.

[kyle]

Hi everyone! So it's been about six weeks and here's how he looks now. We are not out of the woods yet. I noticed a week ago that his posture was slightly off. The tip of his wings were lower than they should be. I've given him a ceramic heat lamp which he hasn't really used. I'm not sure what to do? This particular guy was always outstanding even in a cage full of beautiful Gouldians! He has been drinking more than usual and has watery droppings with greenish colour. I think there is undigested seed as well. I can trying get a picture if it would help. He's being treated with scatt his final treatment is a few days away. His cherri demeanor has diminished a little other than that he is eating well and sings often.

[kyle]

I would love to know what is going on. Any thoughts?

[Babs _Owner]

kyle

I hope everything goes well with the little guy. I'll tag Cindy on this one for ya. Maybe she can help.

[kyle]

Thanks Babs. I've worried about him.

[kyle]

Well the situation with this guy remains the same. I cannot see any improvement after the scatt treatments. His spirit has diminished. He eats and sings a little but in no way resembles the bird he was. . I have Iverlux was wondering about trying that. I've read that Iverlux treats more than air sac mites and scaly face. How soon after scatt can I use it? Or is there anything else I should give him?

[wildbird]

I wouldn't be treating if you don't know what you are treating for. Every drug has side effects and can weaken the bird. What you are seeing now could be from the last drugs effect.

[cindy]

Kyle, can you tell me how you used the scatt... Moxidectin is the ingrdient in scatt, it is pretty effective.

I would not give the iverlux since this requires it be ingested and needs to run through the liver. If the bird is ill with certain internal issues the iverlux can complicate thing... also if you just finished the scatt that is still in the body many days after it's use.

is he eating, have you held the bird looked at the belly, is he thin, the breastbone sharp?

[cindy]

oral treatments added to the water may not be as effective as topicals since some birds do not drink as much as others and if he is starting to show signs of illness he may not drink as much... skip the iverlux until you know what you are actually dealing with.

you mentioned "This particular guy was always outstanding even in a cage full of beautiful Gouldians! He has been drinking more than usual and has watery droppings with greenish colour. I think there is undigested seed as well."

What meds do you have on hand... do you have Ronex 12%? Undigested seed means that something in the GI system is not functioning well and it can be signs of Giardia, Camphylobacter, bacterial infection.

Do you have an avian vet... they can do a scaping of the area on the face and run a fecal sample.

[kyle]

Hi Cindy. Thanks for your reply! I used scatt one drop on the thigh every 3 weeks 3 aplications in total. The last dose was 5 days ago. Then as Debbie suggested for the last 3 weeks dabbed a Q-tip on the effected area. I expected some improvement by now. I won't use the Iverlux the last thing I want to do is make things harder for him.

I've had to hold him frequently because of the scatt treatment but will check the breast bone and belly tomorrow. I thought there was undigested seed but think now that it was from the seed feeder. However the droppings are still watery as in the photo above. He is eating and no unusual behavour other than being lethargic. He is drinking enough water for 3 finches. His feathers have lost their vibrancy.

There are very few avaian vets and none in my area unfortunately. Not driving absolutely has it's drawbacks! I appreciate all your help!

[Babs _Owner]

kyle

Oh no! His feathers seem to have grown back (very little bald spot now), but his health is failing? Wishing the best for your little guy.

[cindy]

something more may be going on... though out today if you can take picture if you can of his droppings, in the a.m., mid afternoon and after dinner... instead of paper towels place white butcher paper under him or wax paper (only if you use a grate) under him... both will contain the urine in a spot and not allow it to spread out as much

Keep in mind that with moxidectin (given orally) also kills of certain types of worms (not tape)... I believe it is the same for using topical but will double check on this for you. If it is effective for worms if used topically he had any he may be shedding them in the droppings.

The excess thirst and urine is concerning.

[kyle]

Thanks Babs!

Hi Cindy. This morning I felt his breastbone and it didn't feel particularly unusual to me. I didn't think it was protruding Or sharp compared to the other goulds it felt the same.

[Babs _Owner]

kyle

Oh my he doesnt look like he feels very good How long has he had to take medications? Poor guy!