FINCHforum

I need help again. The two (zebra finch and black-rumped waxbill finch) are not doing so well. S76, Amoxitex and Ronex have all been tried but each only working temporarily while they are in treatment. Symptoms return as soon as the treatment is complete.

Zebra, on the one hand, gets very tired easy, generally lethargic, and seems to have difficulty breathing sometimes. For example I've seen him sit low on the perch and breathe fast and heavy for minutes at a time. He also opens his beak to catch air if he flies around too much at one time.

Now the waxbill is exhibiting entirely different symptoms. The feathers between his beak and eyes have disappeared, leading over to the left side toward his cheek as well. I have a video of something that is just going on where he is continually stretching his head out.

They both have extreme difficulty sleeping at night, but are usually much better first thing in the mornings. Their symptoms are worst in the evening when they try to go to sleep. The sleeping problem is much worse with the waxbill, I wonder if he's slept at all the past couple of nights. Tonight is the worst though.

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1hAVMpD ... e=youtu.be

If anyone recognizes this and has any suggestions, I would be very grateful.

I suggest you forward the information and video to ladygouldian.com, follow it up with a call to Laraine. See what she suggests as meds to remedy this.

Absolutely agree with Cindy, contact Laraine.

Have these birds been wormed recently?

Could be air sac mites.
Hmmmm - just re-read and saw you DID do S76. Could be a large amount of dead mites clogging airway.

Or, some sort of neuro disorder from side-effects of meds?

I definitely agree with the others on contacting Laraine.

Would provide a heat source, and probiotics in the meantime.

Good luck.

Thoughts,
Which ronex are you using, 6% or 12%?
Are their droppings not normal in color or texture?
Are they losing weight?
Do you see any yellowish masses in their mouths?

found his past topic on the matter...looks like the 12% and he did it 2.5 the amount strength
http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... ilit=ronex

cindy wrote: found his past topic on the matter...looks like the 12% and he did it 2.5 the amount strength
http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... ilit=ronex

Thanks Cindy ... yup, my reccommendation would be consult Laraine

I sent an e-mail and am waiting for a response...

He is very slow today. His voice is really weak, he's semi-puffed up, and seems to have trouble getting where he's going when he flies... Zebra is still very weak too.

Laraine never responded.

I also noticed that after his episode a couple nights ago, the waxbill doesn't seem to be able to grip his right foot very well on his perches. He sits under the heat lamp a fair bit which is good.

If he is trouble breathing he may not be getting enough oxygen to the his muscles organs and it can be effecting his ability to grip.

What medications do you have on hand? At this point it might be best to seek an avian vet. If you can not try Laraine's sister (I believe her name is Joanne) at http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/ I would call Laraine, if you can not get through contact Joanne she is in California and may be able to direct to as to what to do.