Should I separate a sick bird?

lstyles · Post by **lstyles** » Mon May 09, 2011 1:51 pm

My gouldian male started to look a little puffy last night and this morning. He has no other symptoms like cough, clicking etc. He is just finishing his molt (pins on head only) and he gets full diet. Finished full quarantine about a week ago and did well with that. He is with four juveniles who are coloring out. No fighting and everyone seems to get along. I put a lamp next to cage where he usually sits and he is sitting there next to it. Less fluffed up near the lamp. My question is whether I should move him to separate cage or not. These five birds have been together for a long time and all the juveniles look great...very active. I would separate him but I don't want to stress him any more than I have to. Also, I am not sure what else I can do for him in a separate cage. But...maybe it would be better for the other birds. These birds were treated with everything during their quarantine (S76, ronivet, worm away, TMP/sx, probiotics) so they shouldn't have anything. What do you think? Is there something else I should be doing?
thanks,
Lori

Ursula · Post by **Ursula** » Mon May 09, 2011 2:23 pm

I hope somebody else chimes in, but I personally would not separate him if he gets enough warmth from the lamp and the other birds don't bother him... Putting him in a new cage will for sure stress him... Just MHO.

monotwine · Post by **monotwine** » Mon May 09, 2011 4:29 pm

I suppose it depends on what he is ailing from. Sometimes during a molt underlying nasties come to the fore. If its something catchy, then you would want to seperate him out of the flock. However, if it is they probably have it already. Perhaps its nothing much at all. Difficult to guess.

MRobinson · Post by **MRobinson** » Mon May 09, 2011 9:18 pm

Was it chilly in your house last night? Could he just be a bit cold? That happened to one of my societies last week. Temp dropped in the house over night a bit lower than usual and she was 'fluffed up' the next day...once she warmed up again she was fine and has been fine ever since.

lstyles · Post by **lstyles** » Mon May 09, 2011 11:22 pm

It was a little colder last night but nothing he hasn't seen before. I left him in cage today with a lamp and he pretty much stayed by the lamp all day. He is eating and drinking and his flight seems ok. When he is away from the lamp he puffs up again...mostly around the head and neck. I am going to try and rig up a red lamp tonight so he can continue to get some warm.
thanks,
Lori

lstyles · Post by **lstyles** » Tue May 10, 2011 11:28 am

Still puffy this morning but no worse than yesterday. Still in cage with others and they are all fine. When he sits near lamp he is not puffy. I added priobiotics to water this morning and extra food options (although I have seen him eating). He already has feather fast added to seed and sprinkled on egg food (though he doesnt eat much of that). Droppings under where he is sitting look pretty normal. Not sure what is going on but will continue to watch.
Lori

Ebichua · Post by **Ebichua** » Tue May 10, 2011 3:39 pm

I sure hope he's okay! I keep my gouldians in my room and it has been chilly the past few nights. They puff up at night so I close my window and allow myself to suffer a little, but anything for my babies!

Keep us posted, I am crossing my fingers for you and sending you good karma waves! Haha

lstyles · Post by **lstyles** » Wed May 11, 2011 3:04 pm

Thanks for the good thoughts! This morning he is still puffy, maybe a little less but we will see. He likes sitting next to the lamp and goes to it once I put it on in the morning. He doesnt seem to like the red lamp I use at night. I gave more probiotics this morning and I have seen him eating seed. I put a paper under where he is sitting to get a better idea of what the poops look like. This is now the fourth day he has been puffy. He is hanging in there but wish he would get better. Any more suggestions?
thanks,
Lori

6finchfriends · Post by **6finchfriends** » Wed May 11, 2011 9:49 pm

When I had a sick bird I kept the heat lamp on day and night. Just a thought. Hope the little guy gets better soon.

lstyles · Post by **lstyles** » Thu May 12, 2011 12:48 pm

Thanks for the comments. I had been using regular lamp during day and red bulb at night but he didn't seem to like the red lamp. I am sure it warmed things up a little for him though. I noticed yesterday that he was not sitting in front of lamp as consistently and was venturing out a little more. This morning he is still a little puffy but clearly spending more time away from the lamp. He is still eating and has started to preen which I figure is a good sign. I don't think I am out of the woods yet but if anything we are moving in right direction. Keep crossing your fingers for little Rico!
Lori

debbie276 · Post by **debbie276** » Thu May 12, 2011 12:58 pm

fingers crossed

6finchfriends · Post by **6finchfriends** » Thu May 12, 2011 1:14 pm

Go, little Rico, Go!

lovemyfinch · Post by **lovemyfinch** » Thu May 12, 2011 1:42 pm

lstyles · Post by **lstyles** » Fri May 13, 2011 10:20 pm

Good news! Today Rico seems all back to normal. Here he is with his few remaining pin feathers:

He would like to thank you all for your prayers and concern!
Lori

nelloyello11 · Post by **nelloyello11** » Fri May 13, 2011 11:02 pm

Yaaaaaaay!

you must be so relieved to have him back to being himself again! Very happy for you!

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