Scatt

zookeeper · Post by **zookeeper** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 12:34 pm

So I dosed my 2 new quarantined goulidans with Scatt.

One perked up within 24 hours. The other is . . . well, not as lively. He's doing a bit more beak-wiping and less singing than I'd like.

I do expect to see beak-wiping after treating with Scatt, as they snort out dead air-sac mites. But it's been almost a week, and I'm beginning to suspect a secondary infection.

Well, he doesn't seem sick. In fact, I wouldn't be worried except that the other of the 2 is more lively and vociferous.

Am I being paranoid?

Ravenlock · Post by **Ravenlock** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 12:48 pm

It could be that this bird's case was worse then the other birds.

My vet warned me that in some cases the medication kills off so many mites at once, that the bodies of the mites themselves plug up the air sacs. In some cases the bird may even die from the treatment, if the infestation is heavy enough. It's kind of a "damned if ya do, damned if ya don't" situation. That's why he recommends miting every 3 months of all perching birds. It keeps the infestation at a reasonable level. I've had no probs since I began this regiment 3 yrs ago.

I've never had any birds die from treatment, but my little society had a rather bad case once and she was lethargic for days after treatment. Then she perked up and was fine.

Good luck. Hope he feels better!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 1:28 pm

I did have a gouldian die from air sac mite treatment. Not sure if he died because I overdosed him, or if he choked to death on mites. It was around a holiday, so I couldn't find any vet to do a necropsy either.

Anyway, the same night I had another gouldian in a separate area who died of twirling.

So that was not the happiest day of my life.

zookeeper · Post by **zookeeper** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 4:38 pm

Oops, that last "Guest" post was me--forgot to sign in.

Anyway, I started giving the not-quite-right finch Amoxitex, figuring he must have a secondary respiratory infection. But after 2 days of that in his water he had too many and too-watery droppings. Which in my understanding is a big clue that antibiotics are counter-indicated.

He's also been doing some stargazing, gah. I sprinkled some Thrive on his food, tried to hand-feed him some but he's a strong little bugger and wasn't going to put up with my shennanigans!

We might wind up at the vet if he doesn't perk up soon . . .

Ravenlock · Post by **Ravenlock** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 10:31 pm

I always put a little "pedialyte"(sp?) in the water if my finches look "funny". Just to give them a little electrolyte boost. My vet also recommends a drop of honey in the beak to give them an energy boost, more free energy=better warmth=happier ill finch.
My owl was once on the bottom of the cage, and this fixed her right up in 2 days.

Hope he gets better soon!

zookeeper · Post by **zookeeper** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 9:09 am

Excellent idea! Why didn't I think of that?