Hi, I need help bad.
I've had a star finch for about 5 1/2 weeks now. Things seemed to be going great until last weekend. Now, he's puffy and less active, although he has times when he seems pretty normal.
The only thing I can think of that might have caused it is that we started running our swamp cooler last weekend. The bird seemed to start puffing up then, so the next day we moved him to the kitchen, out of the draft (even though he wasn't close to the vents at all, there was still a stream of air he was in).
His poop looks normal, and he's eating. Do you think this is likely a respiratory (sp) infection, or possibly a fungal or bacterial?
I do have a heat lamp on him, which he seems to like.
I don't want to lose him!
Sick star finch
-
L in Ontario
- Mod Emeritus
- Posts: 13365
- Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 10:29 am
- Location: Barrie, Ontario Canada
- Contact:
Re: Sick star finch
I'm not great at diagnosing these things but I know it's good you have a heat lamp on him!
Did you add anything to his water yet? Guardian Angel or NV Powder are great. Or if you have Thrive - you can use that for a couple of days.
I really hope he gets better soon for you!
Did you add anything to his water yet? Guardian Angel or NV Powder are great. Or if you have Thrive - you can use that for a couple of days.
I really hope he gets better soon for you!
Liz
-
annague
- Proven
- Posts: 2770
- Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 6:29 pm
- Location: New Albany, IN
Re: Sick star finch
Debbi, if you're not sure and he continues to decline you could try a 4-in-1 on him and see if he responds to it. Otherwise, the NV or Thrive sounds like a start! 
Anna
Lots of Red Throat Parrot Finches, Forbes, Gouldians, BCCB's, RCCB's, Owls, Societies, and BB Fires. Plus, one wonderful 15 year old son, one wonderful husband and two rotten-to-the-core Border Terriers.
Lots of Red Throat Parrot Finches, Forbes, Gouldians, BCCB's, RCCB's, Owls, Societies, and BB Fires. Plus, one wonderful 15 year old son, one wonderful husband and two rotten-to-the-core Border Terriers.
-
Debbi
- Pip
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2011 3:42 pm
Re: Sick star finch
Thanks Liz. I'm getting the Guardian Angel today, or I'll see if they have either of the others you mentioned.
Thanks Anna. What's a 4 in 1?
The reason I'm questioning the swamp cooler is that while I know birds don't catch our colds, both my husband and I are also sick with cold/congestion.....
Anyone know if that would likely be fungal or bacterial?
Thanks Anna. What's a 4 in 1?
The reason I'm questioning the swamp cooler is that while I know birds don't catch our colds, both my husband and I are also sick with cold/congestion.....
Anyone know if that would likely be fungal or bacterial?
-
annague
- Proven
- Posts: 2770
- Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 6:29 pm
- Location: New Albany, IN
Re: Sick star finch
4 in 1 -- google it with bird medication -- several different kinds of medicine in 1 when you don't know what's wrong.
Not something to use frequently or without a lot of thought but can help if you really don't know.
A cold is viral although some fungi can also be viral (but not common).
Not something to use frequently or without a lot of thought but can help if you really don't know.
A cold is viral although some fungi can also be viral (but not common).
Anna
Lots of Red Throat Parrot Finches, Forbes, Gouldians, BCCB's, RCCB's, Owls, Societies, and BB Fires. Plus, one wonderful 15 year old son, one wonderful husband and two rotten-to-the-core Border Terriers.
Lots of Red Throat Parrot Finches, Forbes, Gouldians, BCCB's, RCCB's, Owls, Societies, and BB Fires. Plus, one wonderful 15 year old son, one wonderful husband and two rotten-to-the-core Border Terriers.
-
Debbi
- Pip
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2011 3:42 pm
Re: Sick star finch
Found it, and ladygouldianfinch has it. Thanks.
-
annague
- Proven
- Posts: 2770
- Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 6:29 pm
- Location: New Albany, IN
Re: Sick star finch
Glad to be of assistance!
Anna
Lots of Red Throat Parrot Finches, Forbes, Gouldians, BCCB's, RCCB's, Owls, Societies, and BB Fires. Plus, one wonderful 15 year old son, one wonderful husband and two rotten-to-the-core Border Terriers.
Lots of Red Throat Parrot Finches, Forbes, Gouldians, BCCB's, RCCB's, Owls, Societies, and BB Fires. Plus, one wonderful 15 year old son, one wonderful husband and two rotten-to-the-core Border Terriers.
-
FinchFan09
- Nestling
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2009 1:45 pm
- Location: California, USA
Re: Sick star finch
Good luck! I hope you have success in treating your bird!
-
bugaboo5
- Weaning
- Posts: 1513
- Joined: Fri Nov 26, 2010 12:21 am
- Location: Les Etats-Unis, USA
Re: Sick star finch
Good luck.
God is my redeemer and it is through Him I have found eternal happiness. I am grateful, I am blessed, and I am truly loved. I wish all this and more for all members of our finch forum family. May you all be blessed and highly favored. 
~*Friend, companion, and caretaker for too many birds to count.*~
~*Friend, companion, and caretaker for too many birds to count.*~
-
Debbi
- Pip
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2011 3:42 pm
Re: Sick star finch
Thanks Finchfan & bugaboo.
He seems better. Not nearly as puffy, or puffy as often. He's not eating quite as much as he was previously, but I'm thinking that's at least partly because he's in a smaller cage and not using nearly as much energy as he was in the larger cage - flying back and forth a lot.
He seems better. Not nearly as puffy, or puffy as often. He's not eating quite as much as he was previously, but I'm thinking that's at least partly because he's in a smaller cage and not using nearly as much energy as he was in the larger cage - flying back and forth a lot.