Distressed Cut-throat Finch

[Acelin_Wolf]

Hello all!

Species: cut-throat finch (male)
Problem: coughing-like fits

Just to be clear, I've already been to the vet twice now. The finch in question is getting medical care. Just wanted to toss this up here. See what you all think.

A week ago one of my cut throat finches started making an odd coughing noise. I've never witnessed a bird cough or sneeze so I wasn't sure what it was, but I figured it wasn't good. The internet was telling me URI or air sac mites, so I took him to the vet as soon as possible, which was the next day. An examination of him as well as his general over all good-looking condition led the vet to think it wasn't mites. So I took him home to observe him... Aside from one more coughing fit in those days, nothing. After days of no symptoms, I decided to reunite him with his girlfriend today. Not 2 hours later, the symptoms started again and seemed worse. I recorded the behavior, the cough-like fits, and made a vet appointment for that day. Today.

I showed the vet the video. That along with the fact that he only seemed to be doing it while in the "finch room" (he seemed to be in perfect health whem he was isolated in the other room) led her to think it might be behavioral. That he might be regurgitating for his mate to ahow her he was a suitable parent (as apparently some birds do). However, when the vet saw the behavior in the office, she got another vet involved and they collectively decided a few things (with tests and examination):

1. This is likely not air sac mites, though they gave him medication for it, because of my worry. They saw nothing and have done 2 examinations on him now for it, a week apart.
2. His coughing-fits were always the same. Same number of coughs, same pattern.
3. His bacterial swab showed nothing abnormal.

They actually think it may be neutological. He's on metacam and enro. Basically they weren't sure what it was so they're giving him the works. It worried me that neither vet, both of which are highly good at what they do and great with birds, had no idea what this was. Anyone had similar experiences? I may try to upload the video tomorrow.

[lovezebs]

Acelin_Wolf

Hi Amelia.

I know this is way out there, but....
Could he be having something like an allergic reaction to something in the bird room?

I honestly don't even know if birds suffer from allergies, but I wonder if that's possible (?).

Aside from that, could there be something like a seed hull or whatnot stuck in his throat (although that would bother him all the time, not just in the bird room ).

Other than this, is he eating/drinking ok?

[Acelin_Wolf]

I did think of allergies but my vet said birds don't get them, I do believe. Not sure if that's true, but I'm not the vet.

At first, she thought he may have been choking on a seed. Back when his coughing fit only happened twice. Since then, she's seen it happen, when he hadn't eaten in an hour, and dismissed that idea as well.

He thus far has been eating and drinking normally. Going to go check on him now.

Ty for the reply.

[Acelin_Wolf]

Figured I'd give an update on this.

The vet and I have tried legit everything possible, and his coughing symptom persists. Some days it's worse than others (like right now he's been coughing for ten minutes).

He's been on almost ten different meds and supplements. Basically nothing seems to help. Right now he's on an anti-seizure medicine (and Booster dietary supplement), since the vet seems to think his 'coughs' come in the same exact pattern each time. That it might be a brain-related thing. And it's worsened by stress.

Neither vet (in the same office) can figure out what this is, basically, and I'm thinking it's not a lack of experience that's the cause. I'd love to hear someone say they have experience with a bird that's coughing that doesn't have an infection or air sac mites but...yeah. :/

I'm super worried about his quality of life, but he eats/bathes/sings (though I can't recall hearing him sing in the past week). He is isolated in the sick room with one other finch (a zebra), and he hasn't seen his 'girlfriend' in a while. I feel terrible, but because he's sick she tends to bully him so I can't put them back together even though they call to each other. This has been going on since the end of August, and I just worry that he's miserable in this tiny sick cage.

[lovezebs]

Acelin_Wolf

Sorry to hear that your poor little boy is still struggling with the same problem.

Too bad that the Vet hasn't been able to help too much. Is it an Avian Vet ?

I found some sites and articles containing information about bird cough. Maybe you'll be able to find some pertinent info in there.




http://blog.birdsupplies.com/is-my-bird-breathing-right


http://ladygouldian.com/Respiratory-Infections-in-Birds


http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-he ... -birds/802


http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww45eiv.htm

[debbie276]

So sorry there doesn't seem to be much relief for him.
The vets do seem to be ruling out the most common causes as they try new things. Personally I think it's great that they are working with you and trust they know best.
Maybe you can ask the vets if they feel he is infectious, if not you could at least put him closer to the other birds for company maybe in a larger cage. Totally understandable that the hen picks on him because he is showing weakness, it's very common.

Best of luck, hope the vets can work this out soon

[Acelin_Wolf]

They seem to be an exotic vet (overall) but I mostly see people bringing in their birds. They've been exceptional with other bird problems. They actually set my Java's broken leg and splinted it, which I was amazed they were able to do for some reason (said Java is now perfectly fine! No worries). xD

I'll check out those links now.

He seems to be non-infectious (as this has been going on for months and no one else is sick at all) but he gets stressed when I move his cage/mess with it. And when he gets stressed he coughs more/harder.

Last night I tried to put his cage next to his girlfriend's, and he couldn't stop coughing for 10 minutes straight so I moved him back to the isolation room and he eventually calmed down. >>

Thank you for the replies. It's nice just to be able to rant.

[lovezebs]

Acelin_Wolf

Have the Vets checked his heart?
I know it's a long shot with a bird, but an acquaintance from long ago, had a small dog, that would start coughing when he got overly excited, and would literally pass out, due to a heart problem of some sort.

I wonder if that's possible with a bird (?)

[Sally]

So sorry to hear that this little bird has been dealing with this since last August, that is a long time. It's too bad the vets can't find anything, but that does happen sometimes, just like doctors for humans sometimes get stumped by what might be wrong. Since it seems like he needs to stay isolated, so his cough is not aggravated, can you put him in a larger cage so he'd be a bit more comfortable?

[Acelin_Wolf]

lovezebs - The vet listened to his heart with the stethoscope each time he's come in and she hasn't noticed anything BUT I'm not sure how much that can tell. Yanno? The heart problem idea is definitely not something I've considered. I'll certainly bring it up next time I call the vet.

@Sally - Yah, I can understand that not every disease/problem can be identified. I'm certainly not upset with them, because they really seem to be trying their best. I can't even count the number of times I've rushed him to the vet. Maybe 6+ now? Larger cage is a good idea, actually. I have a spare one... I just didn't think of it for some reason. I guess I'm super worried that any change in his environment will be a shock he can't handle. There's been days when he looks like he's done but then he perks up again. I'll consider this once he starts perking up again (I'm listening to him have a cough fit behind me).

Random, but I think the only thing we haven't treated for is a fungal infection...because we assumed the other 19 finches would be showing symptoms. Does anyone have any experience with fungal infections in their finches?

[lovezebs]

Acelin_Wolf

I feel bad for your poor little guy, Amelia.
I wish that there was something that I could recommend, but I'm not a Vet, and honestly I have never come across something like this with any of my kids.

I hope the Vets figure something out that will help him. I am assuming that they checked to see that there is nothing stuck in the back of his throat (?)
Please keep us in the loop as to how he's doing.

[Acelin_Wolf]

lovezebs - Yeah. Nothing in his throat. No discharge either (last time he was checked). He's been treated for air sac mites (precautionary), had his blood tested for infection, had anti-inflammation and anti-bacterial meds, and now is on anti-seizure meds.

It's so distressing to watch him right now. He seems to be going downhill, but just when I'm about to count him out he usually makes a turn around. Just the other day I found him sleeping on the ground twice and thought "this is the end, isn't it" but nope.

Thanks for all the support. Like I said, just being able to chat about it takes some of the stress away. Too bad it can't make him feel better too. >>

I'm debating calling the vet, since this is the 3rd day in a row he's lookin' terrible.

[lovezebs]

Acelin_Wolf

Amelia.....

You know what your choices are, as difficult as they might be to make. Your boy is suffering. ... :'(

[Acelin_Wolf]

I took him to the vet today (along with this finch). The very is going to cut his anti-seizure meds down to see if his quality of life improves. : )

[lovezebs]

Acelin_Wolf

Oh my goodness, those poor birdies.
I hope things will improve for them, poor babies.