No luck with canaries

yoshi · Post by **yoshi** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 1:18 pm

We have had no luck it seems with our canaries. The first one we got had wheezing and coughing like sounds and after much tests the vet discovered he had an enlarged liver and he was treated with some special meds and told nothing more could be done and he eventually passed away from this at 3 years old. Our next canary (female) had a prolapse, the next one had wheezing and coughing and after giving her meds she was found passed away the next moring. The 4th was struck with paralysis and could not fly and passed away also. All lived for 1-2 years only.

Our newest canary which we got from a breeder seems healthy but I noticed he makes a almost (rice crispy snap crackle and pop) noise when just standing on the perch and slight wheeze. And his beaks sometimes opens and closes slightly like he is eating something when you hear this noise. He will also wipe his beak sometimes and makes a sneezing like noise that sounds comparable to the sound of my finches when they jump into the water bowls and takes a bath and sneeze the excess water out of thier beak area.

I brought the bird back to the breeder (and of corse he made none of the noises while there) and was told he was fine and given some ivemecrten to put in his water yesteday as his final preventative for air sac mites.

Today I have given him his usual daily essentials treated water and sprinkle Avi-immune immune booster powder in his greens.

He eats and drinks fine. No watery droppings.

But with such bad luck with these canaries I get very concerned with any symptons I notice.

Anyone recommend any further ideas about what this could be or recommend any other meds I should give or is this normal sounds considering its winter here.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 2:51 pm

I'm so sorry you are having such horrible luck, Ive never heard canaries were hard to raise, I know some folks that seem to never have issues at all.

I dont have canaries so sadly cant offer any advice but certainly wish you tons of luck,

H2015 · Post by **H2015** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:15 pm

I'm so sorry about that. The symptoms you mentioned sound like air sac mites and they don't show them at all times, usually at night around the time they sleep you will hear that sound.

You may want to order SCATT online, one drop on the neck and then another drop 21 days later does the trick.

After each application use Amoxitex for 3-5 days to prevent any secondary infections that may occur.