Society Daddy with Air Sac Mites?

[mrshorn]

This morning I noticed Donald was laboring to breathe a little bit. We took him, Calypso, Pearl, and all their babies to Magnolia Bird Farm to be treated. They treat for ASM for free there! When the man listened to him, he said there was no clicking, but treated him anyway. He did not treat the babies because they were too young, and not the mommies lbecause they ooked fine. He picked out some powder that gets mixed in their drinking water, that they all can have. We now have Donald in a hospital cage and he is miserable. He loves his family, and is trying to squeak out some calls, but he really can't do it very well. My problem is when we were at MBF, he told us that it is not very common for Societies to get ASM, and that it may be something else. We have to take him back in three weeks to be treated again, but I was wondering what else could it be? He is eating and drinking just fine. He will puff up momentarilly every now and then, but not very much. His only symptom really is the labored breathing and that even comes and goes. When I got him out of his cage to put him in the hospital cage, he did puke some clear fluid on my hand, but he just drank a bunch of water. Any ideas?

[Sally]

Where is this Magnolia Bird Farm? I've never heard of any place treating for free!

I don't really have any ideas right now, but be sure and put some heat on him--that always seems to help. I don't think I've heard of Societies having ASM either. Canaries and Gouldians are the most susceptible, and I've heard of Cordon Bleus and a few other species. I treat preventatively, even though I only have one Gouldian now.

[mrshorn]

Magnolia is in Anaheim Ca. It's a bit of a distance from where we are, but worth the trip. So Sorry Sally, I'm afraid it won't be of good use for you in Teaxs. Donald seems to be doing better. He is breathing normal, and hoping around the hospital cage trying desperately to get back with his family. His calling sounds are still a bit weak though. It sounds like he lost his voice, but is just starting to get it back. Pearl and Calypso or calling for him a lot and clinging to the walls trying to see him. It's all in vain, but they can hear each other. I hate having them apart. They are so bonded it seems cruel.

[CandoAviary]

Sound like some sort of respiratory infection to me. If the fluid came from his lungs he would be acting much sicker. They can get problems from mold, mildew, cleaning products, etc. Many times when only one bird subcombs it is because that bird has a lower resistance. Same as everyone can get a cold at work yet you may escape it entirely due to having a stronger immune system or resistance due to previous exposure to that particular virus.
I am sure the vet will be able to get on top of it. Surely if they were that concerned they would of given you some antibiotics to fight infection.

[Finch Fry]

Well I am having the same problem with my little Zebra hen. I been giving her Amoxitex now for 4 straight days. The labored breathing has not gone away. What did he put in the water. CAN YOU PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE find out for me? If you have extra, can you send it or can I buy some.

I want my zeb hen to get better!!!

[mrshorn]

I'm at work, and I don't remember the name of the powder. It says on the box that it is for respiratory diseases, if memory serves. The name starts with an "O", but I think I have maybe seen it in Petsmart. It has eight little packets, and you mix each packet in 8oz of their drinking water.

I will call my husband, and see if he remembers.....

[mrshorn]

The name of it Ornacyn Plus...


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=16517

http://www.petstore.com/Virbac_Ornacyn_ ... VI-vi.html

This one seems to be the best price. I hope your hen gets better. Donald is still laboring to breathe this morning, so I am still a bit on egde concerning him. Best of luck to you!!!

[CandoAviary]

Any antibiotic that you choose to use should be carried out for the full length for recommended treatment. Stopping or switching to a different antibiotic could result in resistance to the pathogen.
Ornacyn has been around forever and was at one time the only antibiotic accessible through pet stores. Today there are so many different antibiotics targeted for certain troubles. Amoxitex is a good broad spectrum, not only targeted for respiratory diesease but other infections as well. This is why I usually try this one first.
I am hoping both of your finches get well soon. Extra heat will go a long way in healing also. I usually raise my sick birds hospital cage to around 90%...and then most times they will still sit under the light.

[Finch Fry]

Sorry to hear your little guy is still having problems. My hen has been like this since it started to get cold around here about 1.5 weeks ago. The room chilled down one night and I didnt have the heater on yet cause I had to fix some things on it. I got it running now and keep the room at ~ 70F but maybe she caught a little cold one of the cold nights (about 2-3 of them) before the heater was fixed up and running.

I am thinking of adding a heat source to one end of the cage for her to hang out with and keep herself a little warmer if she is sick. The Amoxitex hasnt done much, but i think about myself when i take a Z pack and it takes about 3-4 days. So I am hoping she will start to show signs of improvement today/tomorrow. Today is day 4.

Keep me posted with any success you might have. I will do the same.

[Finch Fry]

Any antibiotic that you choose to use should be carried out for the full length for recommended treatment. Stopping or switching to a different antibiotic could result in resistance to the pathogen.

Good point. I am up in the air as to what is the best course of action but know picking one and running with it to completion is better the flopping. Thanks for pointing this out.

[Finch Fry]

Hows the male soc doing? Any better?

My hen has improved. Today is the 5th day of treatment and she has stopped clicking and has reduced (nearly stopped) open mouth breathing.

Keep us posted on your little guy. I hope the treatment works for him.

[lovemyfinch]

That's wonderful news that your hen is finally beginning to feel a little better.

[mrshorn]

He seems okay to me, but he is not well yet. He tried to do his song last night and this morning, but no sound came out. It was so sad! I do have to say, he LOVES his heat lamp though. I'm hoping that tips the scale in my favor! I'm glad to know your hen seems to be doing better. We never want our little guys and gals to be sick! Donald still does some of the open mouthed breathing and that has me worried. I hope he is able to pull through, and make a full recovery!

[Finch Fry]

Keep me in mind after you are done with your treatment plan. If no success and you are interested, I can send over some of this Amoxitex for free. This stuff is SUPER expensive, relative to most bird meds, and you only need a tiny bit so there is just NO point in you spending 25 or 30 dollars for a small jar of this stuff. Although, it will probably last for 15 years or more if you did. (i dont think there is an expiration date, if so, even more reason for me to send you some since I will never use it all).

PM me your info if you decide this is an action you want to take. I will ship it in an old vitamin or advil bottle.

[isabird]

We took him, Calypso, Pearl, and all their babies to Magnolia Bird Farm to be treated. They treat for ASM for free there!

I love Magnolia Bird Farm! They are 45 minutes from me, but I have been getting supplies and sometimes birds from them for years. A few weeks back one of my goldians got bit by a mosquito and had a reaction. I took him in and they treated his leg with an ointment and told me how to care for him. I did as they said and I had him better and back in the aviary 10 days later. Now he is sitting on eggs with his mate

I am currently treating a gouldian for air sac mites. I think he has a respiratory problem as well. The bummer is I had to take him out of the aviary and he and his mate were sitting on 9 eggs! She gave up on the eggs a few days after I took him out which was really sad for me. Anyway, I have used scatt on him and I am giving him antibiotics one is called Ronivet-S and the other is Amtyl I got them from the guys who I purchased a pair of my gouldians from. He is also getting vitamins and calcium.
So far my little guy is still struggling. I hope he makes it.

http://www.friskyfinches.com/medication.htm