Does anyone recognize these symptoms (gouldian)

[Lisa]

Does anyone recognize any of these symptoms?

I have a gouldian who has been ill for about 3 weeks now. He still eats/drinks and interacts with his mate, is able to fly. I had him in a hospital cage but he seems to go downhill when alone. He perks up when back with his mate so currently I have a heat lamp set on one side of the cage.

His wings droop a bit - he's able to fly and move around with ease, but his wings are not held tight to his body, rather they seem lowered somewhat. His wings and lower legs tremble frequently (not a seizure, just light trembling).

He sleeps a lot since the onset of this. The first two weeks he was quite puffy. He's usually not puffy anymore but still continues to sleep most of the day.

I notice he swallows hard (not while eating, but while just sitting and it's not all the time, but maybe once per day I'll spot him doing this several times in a row). The best way to describe it is picture someone swallowing hard like GULP. He'll do this a few times in a row.

Here's what I've tried - he's been in hospital cage for about 2 of the 3 weeks he's been sick. He's had heat lamp the whole time. I had him on Pedialyte for approximately a week and also have given him Thrive by Morning Bird in his food. I've given him extra egg food as well as greens and good seed. Currently, he is on day 2 of taking 4-in-1 powder.

His mate is not sick, and he's not been exposed to anything to indicate onset of mites or anything like that.

Anyone ever hear of these sorts of symptoms? Especially the trembling, drooping wings and swallowing hard. He's always been very healthy, in fact he last month raised his first clutch of babies. They've all fledged and are perfectly healthy. I had to remove all from the cage as they were a little rough (trampling him, etc)

[30 Seconds to Bob]

Trembling/wobbliness could indicate a calcium deficiency. Somtimes we forget that the males need it too, not just the hens for egg production. I would give him liquid calcium and some B12. It couldn't hurt. Bob

[debbie276]

Is he losing weight? If you open his beak and look in his mouth are there any white/yellowish ulcers? Any diarrhea or vomiting? Have you ever wormed your birds?
Pedialyte and Thrive will not do anything to cure a bird, it's more for support.
The 4 in 1 powder is a good start. Are you seeing an improvement with this medicine? If after the 7 day treatment you see no improvement I would contact Laraine at http://www.ladygouldian.com/ and see if she can help you diagnose exactly what he may have and the proper treatment.

Wishing you all the best

[Ginene]

Lisa
So sorry to hear that you Gouldian isn't well. I have NO clue or advice...just wanted to send you and your little guy hugs and prayers...

[dfcauley]

Do you think it could have air sac mites?

[Ginene]

Lisa
How is ur Gouldian doing??? Any better?

[Lisa]

How is ur Gouldian doing??? Any better?

Actually, he seems to be improving. Today is the first day that he actually stayed awake all day, was even playing on his swing, and seems to have much more of an appetite than before. His wings were not drooping at all, I didn't notice any trembling but did notice slight gulping (much less pronounced than before) tonight for a few seconds. It's his 3rd day on the 4-in-1 powder so I think it must be working! He looks a lot thinner to me, hopefully it is just weight loss from being ill for so long and not going light. He has never had seed in his poop, not a voracious appetite (both symptoms of going light) so hopefully he's not suffering from that.

[debbie276]

The hard swallowing makes me think Canker/Cochlosoma but without further symptoms I wouldn't be sure. The ronidazole in the 4 in 1 powder should help, glad to hear there is an improvement.
good luck

[Lisa]

He seems to go back and forth. Two days ago, he was acting like he felt much better. Yesterday, he slept a lot. Today he looks a little puffy again to me and his wings are again drooping. I also notice he's got a slight tremble again (he hasn't for the last few days). Haven't noticed the gulping today but he is wiping his beak excessively on the branches. Today is day 6 of the 4-in-1. While he's definitely doing much better than before the 4-in-1, he's still not out of the woods yet.

Here's a pic of what he looks like today

[debbie276]

Poor thing, he looks so unhappy.
I would try to contact Laraine and let her know what's happening. I know at times they double up on the meds and the 4 in 1 has a lower dose to begin with. http://www.ladygouldian.com/
Wish I could help more

[Lisa]

I would try to contact Laraine and let her know what's happening. I know at times they double up on the meds and the 4 in 1 has a lower dose to begin with. http://www.ladygouldian.com/
Wish I could help more

Just emailed her with the story of his illness. You want to know something funny? I always see people saying "Ask Laraine" and I always thought, geez, this poor woman is probably inundated with people seeking unsolicited free advice kinda like when your friend is a car mechanic and everyone wants their car fixed for free But upon looking at the web site, I see she's actually encouraging people to write in with issues so now I don't feel so bad asking!

Thanks for the suggestion!

[Lisa]

Well, after some back and forth with Laraine, she seems to feel strongly that it is air sac mites after all. She thinks it's just not progressed to the clicky, trouble breathing stage as of yet. So, I've ordered 3 containers of Scatt and I guess I will be treating all the birds to be on the safe side. The thing I am most worried about is that Lemondrop had babies last month and of course, he was the main feeder (this is before he was showing any signs of illness). The babies fledged a few weeks ago but I'm worried about them as they would have had mouth to mouth contact with him.

[debbie276]

I'm glad you were able to narrow down what could be wrong. I wouldn't worry too much about the chicks, when you scatt them all that should take care of it.
good luck, keep us posted

[Ginene]

Lisa
Oh boy...I'm so sorry, Lisa . Do you think I should do Heckle and Jeckle too? I have 3 other birds on the 3 week Iverlux protocol...maybe I should start them too.

[Lisa]

Oh boy...I'm so sorry, Lisa . Do you think I should do Heckle and Jeckle too? I have 3 other birds on the 3 week Iverlux protocol...maybe I should start them too.

@Ginene

They are probably ok - they have always been in two separate rooms of my house. Lemondrop is in my bird room in a breeding cage. The boys were always kept in my aviary in my family room. (Yes, I *am* taking over the whole house... LOL!

You could treat them if you want to be extra sure as a precaution, but I'm sure they are probably fine.