Help please!

[Justino222]

I was at the bird store yesterday to buy finch food and i went and looked at their birds (where i usually buy my finch) i noticed that there was a finch that was having trouble perching, so settled for sitting in the bottom. Having a very big heart for finch, i had to buy him and help him. The guy sold me him for 10 dollars. He is a black cheeked english zebra finch and hes beautiful!

Heres my main concern. I just opened his cage to change the water. He flew out and around the room, i noticed that as he was flying he seemed to lose momentum and flew to the ground. When he got to the ground he ran in circles on the floor with his head pressed down and even toppled over a few times whike running. Does he have a neuro condition?

[finchmix22]

Wow, sounds like something neurological; however, there is information on twiriling in gouldians, that suggests an inner ear infection can cause similar behaviors. I'd start him on antibiotics for a week and see if he improves.

[Justino222]

Oh thanks! I will check that out! I really appreciate it

[Justino222]

Where would i get these

[Justino222]

He was running in circles earlier. He doesnt really look upwards of turn his head in a circular manner. H looks perfectly normal until he trys to get away

[Ginene]

My local PetLand use to sell broad Spectrum Antibiotics, but they stopped. I order my finch medications from glamgouldians.com. I GOOGLED the topic "Medications for ear infections in birds" and this came up. You can order medication from this site too. You can also call and speak to someone who might be able to give you better info, based on your birds symptoms.
http://www.finchniche.com/features_twirling2.php
I hope this helps...

[Sam007]

Few years ago, one of my finch hit her head very hard with with cage bars during nightfreight and was showing kind of similar behavior like your finch but she recovered within few days without any medication.

[MiaCarter]

I had a zebra with apparent twirling.
I tried lots of meds.
The combo that worked was Trimethoprim Sulfa and Nystatin.

[monotwine]

You don't know where he came from or what he was exposed to so it could be anything. I would be very worried about this bird potentially infecting your flock.
Definitely keep him separated from you birds (far away from all your other birds) you can try antibiotic. If he does not respond to them within 4 days then you know it is not a bacterial infection. You can try something for fungal infections (which sometimes causes neuro signs). Miacarter suggestion is a good one for treatment options. If none of those work, I'm afraid it might be worse.

It sounds a lot like Paramyxovirus. Finches do get it and its not nice. Causes exactly what you mention. Shortness of breathe, lethargy, slightly underweight and neurological issues. I usually see it as shortness of breathe (sort of a persistent mild upper respiratory infection) and losing momentum with flight, then the neuro signs.
Neurological signs are some of the last. Its fatal and although the bird can live for a long time with it, it is always fatal and has no cure and to boot it's infectious. Euthanasia is the only humane solution.
This is a world wide virus unfortunately its around. Some birds get it and others don't. Short of a vets diagnosis (need lab work done) you cannot be certain.
Having had this virus go through my flock twice now, I will never again buy a bird that is not in peak condition (have to have steel emotional implants to those pet shop birds in need) and will not touch a bird with any neurological issue. IF any of mine show neurological signs they are euthanised immediately.

[Justino222]

Thanks soooo much guys! I will check all those out!

I need to have steel emotions lol. Too helpful i am *yoda voice*

[Justino222]

Just an update for you guys. The finch (gimpy) has made a full recovery!

My guess is that he inhaled some cleaning products. When we went to this bird store it smelled fresh as. If someone had Just mopped. His cage being close to the floor, i think this is what could have happened. At least hes in a great home now

[MiaCarter]

That's wonderful news!
That's certainly very possible that he came into contact with cleaners.
Happy to hear that all is well!