Mute Finches

[pineapplesnapple]

I have had my two Gouldians for about 3 months. They are my first birds, and were given to me by a reputable breeder through a relative. One finch is a male and one is a hen, and they are young but have all their colors.
For the past two weeks or so the hen hasn't been able to chirp (she used to chirp much louder than her companion). Her chirps have become almost inaudible, and she constantly makes one that sounds like lip-smacking. During her sleep, some nights she continuously makes the sound. But she is completely healthy otherwise.
I waited for some time to see if it would go away, but she's still the same. The male very recently has also picked up on the smacking sounds, rarely sings and when he does, the song is weird and lasts about 4 seconds (he used to go on for ages). I change my seed, water, and calcium supplements every week, and give them lettuce like I always have.
What's wrong with my birds?

[dfcauley]

Hi and welcome to the forum. If you could please fill in your location we may be able to help you better by telling what area you are from.

It sounds like your finches "may" have air sac mites. If you do not treat them preventively for this I would get something and treat them quickly. There are several things available for this. I use s76
but many members here also use something I think it is call Iverlux. Either one would work fine I am sure.

Good luck with your birds and again welcome to the forum. Please keep us posted on how they are doing.

[L in Ontario]

I totally agree with Donna response and suggestions above. One other option for ASM is Scatt. Check out the Finch Information Center linked on the left side of your screen for more information about Air Sac Mites.

Welcome to the Finch Forum!

[Sally]

Definitely sounds like it could be air sac mites--one of the symptoms is when they stop singing. Also, when you put one of the birds up to your ear, you will hear a 'clicking' sound. I would start treatment right away, with whatever product is available to you.

[Finch Fry]

Yah, that "smacking" you hear is the finch having difficulty breathing due to the infestation of mites on the inside of its throat. Please get an ASM treatment ASAP!!!

All the advice here that has been given is very good. I do want to add that there is some controversy to the effectiveness of the use of S76 as a treatment for ASM. SCATT and I believe Iverlux are also treatments for ASM but there is no controversy around whether they work or not. I have used both S76 and SCATT. I recommend the SCATT.

[CandoAviary]

S76 contains ivermectin also slippery elm, a holistic treatment for bacteria in the throat, anti -inflamatory properties that keep the swelling and irrataion from the mites to a minimum.
Iverlux contains the same ivermectin. These products stay viable in water for 8 hours. Must be used fresh daily for 2 days per week for 3 weeks to be effective. Safe on any age bird.
Scatt contains moxidectine. This stays in the blood stream for 3 weeks. SHOULD NOT be used on birds uner 6 MONTHS OLD. no breeding birds soon to have chicks or with chicks should be treated with this.
All products have been proven to be effective. They have different applications so you must determine what is best for your bird and situation. I would advise you to read about them on this The lady gouldin site.
Hope you can get some relief for these birds. ASM can be deadly.

[pineapplesnapple]

Thank you all so much for your replies. We took the birds to a vet. He told us that they caught a cold due to the changing weather. He noticed that the birds had watery stool, so he gave us a rehydration solution and said to observe them.
Two days passed and the birds are worse. We contacted the breeder, who also said they caught a cold. When told that their feathers had become sort of fluffy, he said it's too late, even with medicine. The breeder also said to sun them but added that it won't be very effective.
Neither of them said anything about air sac mites. I don't know where to get medicine like S76 and Iverlux here. Both of them are way more knowledgable than I am -- but is it really not air sac mites? Is there really nothing else I can do?

[Sally]

Since you are in Taiwan, it makes it more difficult to help you, since we don't know what resources you have. In Australia, Vetafarm is a company that makes many bird products--perhaps you could have something shipped to you. In fact, Vetafarm makes SCATT, which is what you need if the birds do have ASM. I also would call the vet and ask him about ASM--he should at least know what it is, and see if he has something to use for ASM. I just checked, and Vetafarm has an international website--www.vetafarm.com.

Just because the birds are fluffed does not necessarily mean it is too late--I don't understand that negative attitude. I would give them heat for sure--a heat lamp directed at one end of the cage, so they can get away from it if it is too warm. You can even just use a 60-100w incandescent bulb in one of those gooseneck desk lamps, directed at the side of the cage. You want to keep the birds warm and quiet--you could even put a towel or some sort of cover over the cage for now.

Good luck, and please keep us posted.

[Finch Fry]

I am pretty sure this is ASM. They can easily be helped if you can get ASM medicine. Anything will do but thats what they need from the sounds of it.

[pineapplesnapple]

Hey everyone!

The birds have been recieving treatment for some time now. The vet administered a similar mite-killing, powdery medicine which we added to their water every day. Their coughing has lessened considerably, although they still do very occasionally. The 'clicking' noises are gone. Ray and Tay are much improved. Thanks everyone for the advice and support

Attached is a picture of the birds that I took today.

[lovemyfinch]

Glad that they are doing better, they are beautiful birds.

[Domenic]

That's great that they have been better. It sounded from your description to be a classic case of air sac mites so I'm glad you found a medication to properly treat that.