FINCHforum

My male gouldian looked fine this morning but this afternoon, he was on the floor of the aviary, all puffed up. He had his head tucked under his wing so I was able to pick him up. I've moved him to a hospital cage and he is under a heat lamp now. His breastbone does feel sharp but he doesn't feel super skinny. His feather condition is great. His feet and beak are fine. He is not tail bobbing but he is shaking his head occasionally. His droppings are like water. No color at all. He is not clicking when he breathes. His beak is not open. He is eating in the hospital cage. I have a broad spectrum antibiotic on-hand but nothing else. My avian pet store is not open until tomorrow at 11am but I can make some phone calls around town if there is something you can recommend that I start him on ASAP. :'(

Thanks!

Sharon if your aviary is outside, are the birds exposed to the ground?

I will PM you.

Hi Sharon,

Sorry to here about yer Gouldian,

If the aviary floor is natural the bird may of picked up something from the ground,

Also it's going back to the very little / lack of protection I mentioned earlier on the flight, it's possible yer Gouldian could of got a chill,

Definitely need to get those ply boards up asap especially as you've got some very nasty stormy weather heading over and around your way

Little rain bands have started here already.

Sharon, so sorry to hear that your Gouldian is not feeling well. I hope he feels better soon. I am sure you have many things to do considering your weather. Not the best time to have to nurse a sick pet back to health. I wish you the best of luck with your bird and safety of all with the weather.

Thank you, Cindy, Stuart, and Betty! He seems to be doing better this evening. He's not puffy anymore and is eating/drinking. He's still cuddled up next to the heat lamp in the hospital cage though so I know he's not out of the woods.

His hen is bent out of shape because she has 3 eggs in the nest box. I have a society sitting tight on eggs laid the same days so will move the eggs to her if the gouldian hen doesn't start sitting by tomorrow. Yes? No? That may be the only option because I don't have an incubator. *sigh*

How old are the eggs? Hope they are fertile!!!

I just put the box in on 8/26. There are other nests in the aviary but got the box for the gouldians.

The first day, she was all up in the box but when he tried to enter, the box would shake, feathers were flying, and he would jet out. It was hilarious. LOL!! By day 2, she was more receptive to him but still not cuddly nor would she allow him to stay for any length of time. There is another cock in the aviary but this BH/WB/GB ruled the roost and she is HIS hen.

He's up on a perch now. Not fluffy. White droppings....still no color. He's eating and drinking. Clean/dry vent.

I'll see what I can do tomorrow. Not only do we have a tropical storm due to hit tomorrow evening but I am in the midst of a medical crisis with my Army son. When it rains, it pours. Literally...

Hope you get answers.... hope your son will be alright.

My little gouldian just died. This guy was flitting around the aviary and courting his hen yesterday.

cindy, thank you. Son is being treated by one of the top neurologic specialists in the nation at Walter Reed for autonomic failure that has evolved into grand mal seizures. The death of a bird makes me very sad. The declining health of my son hurts me to the core.

so very sorry.... praying for your son and you.

Shannylee I'm so sorry to read this, it is never easy to lose one. You are being hit on all sides with stress right now, be sure to take care of yourself!

Sharon, I am so sorry to hear about your little gouldian. I am praying for your son and your family. You take care of yourself .

Shannylee

I am hoping for the best for your family and your son. I know you must be incredibly worried. Make sure you are getting plenty of rest as well.