FINCHforum

I have aquired from a breeder 4 zebras (from 2 different nests) which I have been handfeeding for 6 days now (LONG story...emergency situation that I won't get into).

Anyways, the two that are 6 days old are doing just great: gaining weight, eating all the time, & begging quite loudly etc.

But the two are 14 days old have always been very quitet. They would do the typical begging (open mouth, wagging tongue side to side etc) BUT no noise would come out.
I thought that strange that barely a peep would come out when they are begging for food.......

Well, one of the older ones seemed "OFF" yesterday.
And today, it has been doing some REAllY FAST BREATHING (COMPARED TO THE OTHER 3). They have been itching for a few days...but not excessive...just enough for me to mention it to my hubby.
And NOW I hear the clicking sounds, and the open mouth breathing. Shoot!!! And like a big dummy, I have been using the same syringe to feed all 4!! AUGH! (the tiny ones were taking the paintbrush for the first 4 days, but now they have upgraded, LOL)

What can I do????
I DO have SCATT here but on this website below it says not to give it to birds younger than 6 months of age:
http://www.allbirdproducts.com/newprodu ... scatt.html
I do have some antibiotics and probiotics on hand here as well.
WHAT CAN I DO???
ANY SUGGESTIONS?
Does this mean they all will get it???

note: the two older ones are in a seperate brooder than the two little ones.

Very young to be so infected with ASM. And, yes, ASM is highly contagious so you need to treat them all now.

Someone else may have a better suggestion -- I've not experienced this... If you are sure it is ASM I wonder if you could put S76 or try the SCATT (diluted by half a normal dose) in the water you mix with the baby bird formula -- ??

If they are that bad they may die from the ASM so treatment is imperative.

That's very strange that they would have ASM. Are you sure it's not some aspirating or a respiratory infection from hand feeding?
I wouldn't put scatt in the water half strength or not. I'm pretty sure I heard S76 is safe for chicks of any age and it can be applied directly to the skin. Honestly I would call Laraine at http://www.ladygouldian.com explain your situation and see what she recommends.
Good luck, keep us posted.

I agree with Debbie, there are other things that can cause a clicking sound. A baby that has aspirated will often click with its breathing, or respiratory infections can cause that too. I would really hesitate to medicate a baby that young. The suggestion to call Laraine is a really good one, she is very knowledgeable.

You say you got the birds from a breeder in an emergency situation--would conditions at the breeders be such that you would suspect ASM or other problems from there?

I agree with Sally and Debbie...it sounds like they may have inhalled a little food...when using a syringe it is easy to squirt it down the wrong way and into the lungs. I would almost guess an antibiotic is needed to clear or prevent an infection.

If you have to order meds ask for a banding tool or two, you can use this to feed with less likely to have them inhale when using it.

Thank you all for writing!
No, I am NOT sure if it is ASM or not.
I haven't heard the clicking since this afternoon.
But the labored open mouth fast breathing is so sad to watch. The two older babies both seem a bit lethargic. They are definately weak. A few days ago, I thought it was because they were too hot. Then i thought that maybe they needed more ventilation, but nothing has helped.
It is so strange because I assumed that if either pair was to have problems, it would be the tiny tiny 6 day old ones. But they beg so vigorous and are so strong. They seem very healthy.

These older guys don't make a peep.....they just calmly "open thier mouths" for the syringe and then stop the begging motion. They never want more and they don't make any at all noise either (no crying beeps!)
Isn't that wierd??
Shouldn't they be making noise?? a
I hate to just sit by and watch them get weaker and weaker. I am up all hours of the night with the tiny ones, so I always feed these guys too.
I will call Laraine. Thank you for her number.

I am using ami-culture (or something loike that) for a probiotic supplement in thier formula. I hope that is okay.

I don't know about the conditions of the breeders aviary as she did not ask me to come with her when she went down to get the nests.....maybe not a good sign.

I definately could have aspirated her....unfortunately.
I have been so overly cautious about feeding the teeny tiny ones that I may have been less cautious with the older ones.
I use a 1mm syringe with a cannula tip on it.

If they are old enough to start antibiotics, then how much would I give??
I have ornacycline-plus here.


ps. please forgive if there is a doublepost because I am new and the moderator is not allowing me to post or reply without checking them all first. So I had to EDIT this last post with more info.

It is very possible that she aspitated a little in her lungs when I was feeding her.
I feel so bad.
I have been so overly cautious (terrified!!) about feeding the tiny ones that I may have not been as careful when feeding the older ones.
Okay, I have both ornacycline and ornacycline-plus here.

What are your reccommendations?
Can I use this??
How much??

Not sure about the medication you have but I you use it you will mneed to stop the probiotics while giving the antibiotic. Are you keeping them warm, draft free...you need to keep them warm until feathered out, it helps with the digestion of the food.

My babies are okay!!
I treated them with antibiotics for a "possible" respiratory infection.
Thank you!! My other ones are doing great as well.

Here are my babies now. Aren't they adorable??

VERY adorable!!

Extremely adorable

I'm so glad they are better, and they are definitely adorable!

They are uber adorable!!! So cute in their little bowl nest! Really glad they are well again!