FINCHforum

Hello:

I am a new member to the forum but have been reading these boards for years. I decided to come out of lurk mode to ask a question on something I have had problems with over the years...."going light". I mostly keep Canaries and have seen this happen a number of times. It is usually an adult bird that over time loses muscle mass in the chest and then eventually dies. I have one now that this is happening to. The sternum is sharp, but the bird actually has fat on him. He eats and drinks, but is puffed and not singing. Nothing I have ever tried in the past has ever rectified this situation. I have read that the cause could be a fungus or bacterium, or even dietary deficiencies, but I am at a loss as to the seemingly random nature of the birds that are afflicted. Does anybody have any insight as to the cause of this, or what a viable treatment might be?

Thank you in advance for any insight....

"Going light" can be a symptom of several diseases or conditions. An avian vet can take cultures and tell you just what is going on. If you don't have access to an avian vet, here are several articles that might help:

http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/featur ... glight.php

http://www.birdvetmelbourne.com/going-l ... bird-look/

Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on finch care. If you put your general location n your profile, it makes it easier for members to suggest options to you. Since you have mostly canaries, perhaps a post in the All Things Canary forum will get the attention of members who also have canaries.

Thank you....I will take a look at those web sites. I am still trying to figure how to work these boards...Took me a bit just to find out how to post something I will update my information soon.

Here are some threads to help you learn how to use this forum:

http://www.finchforum.com/viewforum.php?f=81