FINCHforum

I will say right off the bat...I have NO avian vets in my area. I have a moderate amount of experience with birds, and I have to self-treat any problems. That being said.....

I have an aviary with 9 zebra finches. Several months ago I noticed that one of my male finches was down in the bottom of the aviary and was unable to fly up to the perches or the feeding platform. I took him out and examined him and could not see anything obviously wrong. He did have a couple of flight feathers that were damaged, so I figured he must have flown into something and that is how he got the damage. I removed him from the aviary and put him in a separate cage until he molts and grows new flight feathers. All that to say, he has not been in the aviary for several months, but he has been in the same room as the other finches.

About 2 days ago, I noticed that the feathers on the top of his head were all ruffed up and messy looking. My first thought was that he was starting to molt (finally). Then, yesterday, I noticed that he was sitting all fluffed up under the light that I have above his cage. It was a fluorescent bulb, so it only put out a small amount of heat. I watched him closely yesterday. Today he is worse. There is evidence at the sides of his beak that he was possibly vomiting, and around his anus is evidence that he has been pooping a lot, possible diarrhea.

So, I moved him into a cage that I have set up as a hospital cage. There is a heating pad in it. I changed the bulb in the light to an iridescent bulb so that it will put out more heat. I replaced his water with "Marvel Aid" oral broad spectrum antibiotic drinking solution, and I gave him a dose with a pipelle. He is eating.

I moved him into a different room and washed the walls and floor with avian disinfectant in the area where his other cage was sitting.

I am concerned that whatever this is may infect my other birds?

I will also mention, I have 2 aviaries in the same room and I have budgies in the other aviary.

I have not introduced any new birds.

I have not changed foods, or any of the cleaning products that I use in the bird room.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Again, I have NO avian vet in my area, so taking him to the vet is not an option.

I don't know what he could have but wish you all the best with him.

I think you are doing all you can for him, now we that he recovers quickly.

You have done everything right in protecting your flock....I can't help with diagnosis but keep him comfortable and warm, and time will tell....Sometimes you never know what they have....Good luck!

*UPDATE*

He died this afternoon.

It was very strange, he was eating up until the end.

It's frustrating that by the time a bird shows signs of being sick, it is usually always too late to do anything!

I just pray that whatever it was isn't contagious and that the rest of my flock stays healthy.

Thanks for the concern.

So sorry for your loss
That the rest of the flock is fine