Zebra finch losing feathers by tail/big bumps on skin

[LizS]

We have an old, unwell female Zebra - she hasn't flown in about 9 months but can hop up to a low perch and otherwise doesn't appear to be in pain. Her mate died a few months ago so we got another female a few weeks ago.

A couple of days ago we noticed missing feathers on her back near her tail - gradually more skin is showing and what was once 1 bump is now several bumps, and they are getting angry looking. We've put antibiotic cream on 3 times but it doesn't seem to be helping.

Any ideas? We've never had a mite problem - don't see any presence (although not exactly sure what to look for) but she hasn't bathed in a long time (won't bathe) so maybe her skin is irritated from that?

Here's a pic - any suggestions are appreciated. She's such a sweetheart.

[Ameza]

Hm, I don't really know what this is but if it's some kind of a skin infection it can really help to add sea salt into her bath, it helps clear up most infections. If she won't bathe, you could try to spray salt mixed water on her with a sprayer.

Hope she gets better!

[L in Ontario]

Here are a couple of previous threads where the preening gland is discussed and photos supplied. Best wishes for her and I'm sorry she lost her mate.

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=20659

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=15245

[LizS]

Thank you so much for the suggestions and the links - that's exactly what it is. We put some more antibiotic cream on this morning and it's looking better and she isn't distressed. When it's soaked in we'll give her a salt water spritz.

She is such a sweetheart - was a great mom to many young. After her mate died we knew we couldn't get another male as she is too infirm, so we found a Christmas decoration "friend" for her - called him "Buddy". She was quite happy sitting next to him.....and then we got a lovely young female who is very solicitous of her too. (Poor Buddy was looking a little worse for wear so we removed him from the cage - absent an eye! - but he has a permanent spot on our Christmas Tree for taking one for the team!)

[Jasmin]

She is such a sweetheart - was a great mom to many young. After her mate died we knew we couldn't get another male as she is too infirm, so we found a Christmas decoration "friend" for her - called him "Buddy". She was quite happy sitting next to him.....and then we got a lovely young female who is very solicitous of her too. (Poor Buddy was looking a little worse for wear so we removed him from the cage - absent an eye! - but he has a permanent spot on our Christmas Tree for taking one for the team!)

That is such a great story!
Maybe I'm just emotional today, but I almost shed a tear!

Hope the cream and the warm water helps!

[LizS]

Finch Blog in Icelandic but you can still look at the pictures

I'm Icelandic Canadian - wish my dad was still here as he could translate! .... thanks for your help.

[kheather]

brought a tear to my eye almost too, is a great little story!!!! glad she's feeling better!

[tinysparrow]

that photo of buddy and the little hen is one of the cutest things i've ever seen thanks for posting it!

[Ameza]

I'm Icelandic Canadian - wish my dad was still here as he could translate! .... thanks for your help.

Oh nice I know a few Icelandic Canadians in Winnipeg.
I wish I could attend to the Icelandic day sometime

[Lisa]

What an adorable picture! I wonder if the missing eye is due to preening? Too cute... she looks like she really considers him to be her friend

[LizS]

She's better today! And here's another cute pic - we joked that she probably thought "and I thought I was sick"

[funnyfeathers]

It looks like her preening gland is exposed. Perhaps it could be clogged and irritating her..most preening gland issues result from vitamin A deficiency. If you get some food beta carotene in capsule form, break it open, and sprinkle on her foods this might help the problem. Also try misting the area with a pure aloe/water mix.