difficult week

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:45 pm

Well this has been a week I hope to not repeat. I lost three of my beautiful gouldians.

First were the two that I adopted back from my friend which were originally mine. One I THOUGHT had died from twirling, but I am not sure now. One week later his sister died. And then yesterday Sprout, my first ever gouldian died. They just began sleeping alot. They ate and drank, but the next morning one was dead and two hours later the other. I was devastated. I still do not know what happend. I did notice that their droppings were very liquidy. I gave them NV in their water and put them into a cage with extra heat.
I am sure that they had been sick without me knowing it because it happend too quickly. All the other birds seem fine, but of course I am on pins and needles. Since I do have an open aviary does anyone have any precautions that they think I should be taking? I have cleaned all perches with soap and water, and washed out all dishes. I think all I can do now is just pray that no more get sick.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:26 pm

Sorry about your loss. I've read some of your posts about getting new birds and not putting them in quarantine first. Could the news bird(s) passed something on to the established birds?

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 3:47 am

Sounds like you've done all you can...how old was your 'first ever' gouldian? Just keep a close watch on your other birds.....good luck.
Paul.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:14 am

atarasi wrote:Sorry about your loss. I've read some of your posts about getting new birds and not putting them in quarantine first. Could the news bird(s) passed something on to the established birds?

I did not quarrantine the birds I adopted back from my friend because they had been in the house and not around other birds since leaving my house so I assumed it would be okay. Perhaps not.
When I first built my aviary I did not quarrantine ( due to inexperience)but it has months and all seem well so I just don't know.

Sprout (my first gouldian ) was less than two years old.

jamezyboo21 · Post by **jamezyboo21** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:29 pm

Sorry for your loss dfcauley.

Post by **Sally** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:11 pm

Oh, I am so sorry for your loss. It's hard enough to lose one, but three at once, awful! Since the birds you gave your friend hadn't been around any other birds, I wouldn't have quarantined those particular ones, either. How long did your friend have them? If they were stressed, that makes them more vulnerable, but that doesn't explain Sprout. As you said, they may have been sick before you realized it. Our birds are very good at hiding illness, often till it is too late for us to save them. I'm not familiar with NV, but any good product that helps to boost the immune system would help. I have heard good things about Birdcare's Guardian Angel. Please keep us posted as to how your other birds are doing.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:38 am

Thanks Sally It has been a week...... The NV powder I bought from Lauraine at Ladygouldian. It replaces electrolytes and boost the immune system. I think it is suppose to be good.
I have one more male that I am keeping a very close eye one. He just seems to sleep more than he should. Not all the time, but more.
I am putting him in a cage with the NV water and was THINKING about antibiotics. The problem is that I don't want to give them if he doesn't need them, but like you said if you wait too late......
I think Sprout had been sick for a while because he slept a bit. I thought it was because he was going through his molt. In fact, I asked that question here on the forum somewhere and was told they were more lethargic during the molt.
Do you think that I should go ahead and preventively treat the gouldian that I am watching closely? What your thoughts? I sure dont want to loose another one if it can be helped.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 12:25 pm

The very word 'antibiotics' always reminds us of the human context where over the years they have saved so many lives.
But,when it comes to knowing what you're doing with them, unless you're an avian vet or similar, I would always err on the side of caution.Administering medication without knowing exactly what you are doing is not wise.
Boosting the vitamins in the diet is different and a general bird tonic can be understood by most of us.
Paul.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 12:41 pm

I know how most people feel about putting a bird on antibiotics and I have never done it and am very hesitant to do so. In fact, I put my cage into the aviary this morning to try to catch Sunshine... (the bird I am watching closely) and begin administering med. But then I thought, everytime I put a bird into a hospital cage it dies.

He appears fine today and isn't sleeping so much. Quite active actually. I think I am just looking for things after what has happened.

You say boosting the vitamins in the diet....but I am not sure what else I could do to boost their diet. They have everything I know to give them. Except for mealworms, which can't be found right now....

What else do you suggest and what bird tonic are you speaking of?

Post by **Sally** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:53 pm

I agree with Paul on the antibiotics. Whenever I read about someone using antibiotics, they then have to follow with something like a probiotic to restore the natural balance in the gut. And if you don't know for sure what you are treating, you could be stressing the bird for no reason. Have you thought about cutting the diet back a bit, as far as eggfood and veggies? Not eliminating them, just cutting back on them, especially dark green veggies. If you use something like herb salad, it can stay out free choice.

I have several antibiotics in my medicine chest, just in case, but have not used them as yet.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 2:59 pm

Hiya,
Just try a general bird tonic...it will tell you on the label what is suitable for a bird that is in need of a pick me up whilst moulting etc.
Paul.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:19 pm

Thanks Sally and Paul.
I have a tendancy to "overdo" sometimes. I give them eggfood and greens every morning. Perhaps that is too much.
I will start doing it every other day for a while.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 3:45 pm

Sorry to hear about your Gouldian loss.....

How are things going to day with the birds?

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 4:42 pm

FeatherHarp wrote:Sorry to hear about your Gouldian loss.....

How are things going to day with the birds?

So far all is well. Of course I am watching them very closely and looking for every little thing. One of my gouldians does have a watery stool. It is clear like water. I am giving him some NV in his water and also sojme probiotics. I have backed off as suggested on the greens and eggfood. Hopefully all will be well. Thanks for asking.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:00 am

Debra,
I've heard of NV...a sugar based vitamin, mineral and electrolyte supplement designed to rejuvenate energy depleted and dehydrated birds.

Sounds like the KD product might be better by lowering the germ count in the water and aviary. This action protects the immune system and nurtures a strong natural resistance. I use that once a week.

Sometimes we do offer too much in the way of soft foods, vitamins, etc., but it's only because we love them and want to do the best we can.
When I bought my first pair of Gouldians, I went out hog wild with all the supplements I could find thinking that seed wasn't enough. There are a lot of vitamins and supplements I haven't even opened.