FINCHforum

My Spice finch has been on antibiotics and NSAIDs for a week, but her preening gland is blocked again, after the vet drained it manually last week. I have been using warm water compresses twice a day and she lets out a chirp of pain, as it may hurt with pressure or she just does not want to hold still while I hold the warm washcloth or paper towel on her gland. I noticed there are several small red bumps around the gland and a white one at the opening that feels hard when I put the compress on her gland. I thought the white was pus or something that would come off with the warm water, but it does not.
Anyone know the best way to relieve her of the gland blocking up? To get the gland to stop blocking and to get it to soften up so it will drain?? This is one problem I am not familiar enough about and I don't want her to go down hill.
Thanks.

Check out this link, Deborah. I haven't gone through it in detail but hoping it will help some...

http://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/uropygial.html

Deborah, since she seems to be in pain with the warm compress could you hold her upright, and run a slow stream of warm water over only the gland. Do you think that might work?

I really soaked a baby wash cloth and let the warm water drip and set on her tail/gland area. I also left a cup of really warm, but not too hot water on the cage floor to see if she'd bathe in it herself. I'll check her again after dinner. I gave her an NSAID, and second dose for the day of Antibiotic. We'll see how she does. If she is not better tomorrow, I may take her to the ER avian vet, who is actually cheaper than my regular avian vet and have them drain it again. I read somewhere online that a blocked duct can be related to Vit. A deficiency and/or a type of mite. UGH. I have been giving this poor finch so many treatments and meds, I am amazed she is still with us, given the stress to her system. Here's praying for a complete recovery soon.

L in Ontario wrote:Check out this link, Deborah. I haven't gone through it in detail but hoping it will help some...

http://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/uropygial.html

Liz
Thank you for the link. I guess I'm doing what can be done besides surgery, which is the last resort. I wonder if her gland is impacted. I had noticed she was not eating the carrots lately. Today, I gave her some cooked sweet potatoe, cooled and mashed. I'll check to see if she ate any in about an hour.