FINCHforum

My nest of fledged societies, including the trio of parents are all sick.
2 have already died.
I have had them under heat and with vitality for two days. Because of the general wasting of the little bodies, even with appetite, I am thinking it's coccidia/protozoan. I have been treating with coccicare since yesterday afternoon.
They look like typical sick little birds. But I did notice a couple of things that have me questioning what's going on. In two birds there has been a distinct head "twitch" - the head rapidly tipping to one side then back. It happens about every 10 seconds for a while - then stops. One baby sits with her eyes closed all the time. When there is activity around her she will open her eyes, and can clearly see. But will rapidly close them again and just sit.
Appetite has been good - until today. The male is not eating well and I have resorted to crop feeding and water dripped along his beak. He'll swallow then, and get a bit more active. But all 4 are sitting on the cage bottom. There is millet and the other three are picking at it. I've dusted it with a recovery formula, finely powdered.
The droppings appear white, and by the time I see them there is indication of liquid around them that's been absorbed by the paper towel. That stain seem tinged with a pale yellow.
Any thoughts.
I was supposed to be trading societies with Dayna for an owl hen. But obviously that's not going to happen just now.

Help?

I can't offer any more help than what is above. I'm sure you have a heatlamp on them already.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - I hope it can be figured out and stopped very quickly.

Good luck Tracy!!!

So sorry to hear about your sick birds.....I really hope all get on a road to recovery....I know the pain & helplessness you must be feeling....So sad....you & your birds are in my thoughts & prayers....

So sorry to hear what you're going through
Thoughts and prayers and hope is sent your way.

Tracy, cocci-care is more of a preventitive...it is not a cure. Coccidia is usually associated with wet vent.

When you pick up the ones that passed away or the ones that are very ill...

Are the breast bones sharp?
Are they breathing hard, not a clicking but a puffing sound?
Can you see yellow masses in the mouth, throat?

Do you have Ronex12% or Ronivet S 12% (have you ever treated them with this prior to breeding them?

Do you have amoxitex?

Do you have Medistatin or Nystatin?

If she feels it is coccidia she may recommend this
http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/product_ts.php

My guess is it is a parasite with a secondary infection. She may recommend Ronex 12% and Amoxitex mixed together. The Ronex12% can be doubled (powder) to one times the amount of water. The amoxitex can be added to the mixture of Ronex (add just the powder of amoxitex not the water to the ronex mix).
You may need to treat this way for 7 day and then repeat again in two weeks.

If it is a parasite the parents most likely had it, supressed it until they bred. The stress of egg laying, raising young allowed it to take hold. They may have passed it to the young who have immature immune systems and can't fight it off so it gets into the organs, bloodstream. The babies will eat and eat and eat and as they do the parasites steal their the nurishment from them, causing them to waste away. The babies if fledged may start to eat and seem to be in the food bowl more than thay should be...eventually the parasites take such a old the babies succumb to it, the chicks are weak have trouble breathing, eventually they pass.

http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/featur ... antine.php
http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/featur ... glight.php
http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/featur ... thrive.php

Tracy, I noticed you work for a vet...can they do a fecal smear on a slide...see if they can I'D the issue...parasite, protozoa?

I agree with Cindy. I went through several sickness with my finches this year and the best treatment appeared to be the combination of Ronivet 12% and Amoxitex followed by Probiotics. I'm praying your finches get better with no more losses. So sorry for the loss of the first two.

Any news on your societies Tracy? Praying that they are on their way to recovery

Hi Everyone
And thank you for your thoughts and help!
IT's been hectic (what's new) here, so I don't get on quite as often as Id like.
At any rate - thank you. Cindy, I really appreciate your input. I did have the droppings tested, but there was no indication of parasites. However, I;ve also learned that the test can be inconclusive depending on the samples. But it was definitely worth trying. The birds have been on Ronivet the last couple of days. It's combined with an electrolyte/mineral solution which I understand is fine. They are getting that, and a thin "recovery" slurry via crop needle 3x daily. The solution is also in their water dispenser (2 actually, one low and one high) and there is millet dusted with the powdered recovery formula.
I hesitate to say they're holding their own, but at the moment the male and one of chicks seem to be. 1 chick has gone downhill and losing balance when he tries to perch. 1 (crossing fingers) actually seems to be doing alright. For the moment I'm crediting the crop feeding as 2 of them weren't even drinking. I dislike doing it, and fear causing damage, but it seems to be working.
It's kind of a waiting game right now, and I dread looking into their cage
Think I"m going to put everyone onto a quarantine schedule: cover them all for as much as I can and hope for the best.
Not having a lot of luck with my poor birds lately.

Sorry to hear your going through this, best of luck and please keep us posted.

Tracy are you using the 12%...if so double the powder and mix amoxitex powder into it also. Keep them warm. I do hope they recover.

One more gone.
I've learned not to anticipate, but I gave each of the birds a good crop feed, and since then the little male has been picking at the seeds on the cage bottom. He even hobbled over to drink from the water fount. That made me smile His left leg is crippled however, and I don't believe it's an injury but something from what they're affected with. The sick fledgling is definitely off-balance and twitchy. I've seen star-gazing and this isnt' that, but the uncontrolled movements remind me a bit of that. Neurologic?
Cindy - I have the stronger strength Ronivet, and added some amoxitex. Guess I'll see how they weather the night now.

Thanks again everyone

Tracy, to knock this out double up on the ronivet...two times the powder to one part water. Ronivet can safely be doubled....do the double for 7 day along with the amoxitex

Do you have medistatin or access to nystatin?