Sick zebra finch

Corkysgirl · Post by **Corkysgirl** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 8:45 pm

My zebra finch has been on the bottom of the cage all day. She had a watery poop this morning, white like Elmer's glue. She was on the 4th day of a 5 day course of Amoxitex because she was in the cage with her foster mother with an infected eye. I saw her cleaning the bird's eye, picking the feather's from around it and she also was behaving a little sickly. I thought it might be that she was getting sick so I treated them both. I thought she might be dehydrated so I gave her a homemade electrolyte mixture and she got a little better. She is eating, and is animated....her head turning quickly to look at things, but won't move about the cage, hop up to the dishes or perches. Her breathing is rapid but wasn't this morning. It's 80 degrees in her cage with a full spectrum bulb on top all day. Anybody have any other ideas? She's always been a weak one. She was rejected by her mother and fostered by this 8 year old female. Thank you!

Nerien · Post by **Nerien** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 9:02 pm

Could it be too hot? Maybe move the bulb a touch farther away and drop the temperature just a bit?

Post by **finchmix22** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 9:05 pm

That sounds like a fungal infection, so I'd treat with Baycox or Ronex 12%.

Corkysgirl · Post by **Corkysgirl** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 9:20 pm

Yes, that sounds about right. Now my next problem is I don't live near any stores to be able to get that in a hurry. I have to even mail order my seed. Thanks!

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 9:21 pm

White droppings according to this means issues with Pancreas or digestive problems.

http://www.finchniche.com/features_poopology.php

on this site scroll down to "White droppings" http://www.mfgouldianfinches.com/Poopol ... gyPg1.html

Angela&Shalamar · Post by **Angela&Shalamar** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 9:37 pm

bird temps are higher then ours so 80 degrees in the cage may not be enough.

Corkysgirl · Post by **Corkysgirl** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 9:55 pm

Could be she has a weak digestive system. I went to the link you posted and found the description that fit best. Mostly white droppings. It had substance to it but literally was a circle like Elmer's glue...not watery. Here's what it said. "White droppings, where nearly the entire dropping is white is also a reason for concern and indicate a potential kidney malfunction or an out of control yeast infection." So I do suspect it's from the antibiotics...a yeast infection. For now, because I can't get the Baycox or Ronex yet, I put probiotics from Lady Gouldian in her water...also some ACV. Hoping that helps a little. Thanks again!

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 10:15 pm

do not mix the ACV and probiotics...the ACV may destroy the probiotics...Probiotics are small organisms that help maintain the natural balance of organisms (microflora) in the intestines.

Use the probiotics alone for a few days...take the antibiotic away if you use probiotics.

Corkysgirl · Post by **Corkysgirl** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 11:16 pm

Okay thanks! I forgot about that.

zebra zombie · Post by **zebra zombie** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 1:35 am

sounds like a bad case of worms to me and mum maybe if she is bald around the eyes..temp 25c would be about right.Never been a fan of indoor flights a bit stale and messing with internal clock unless done very very very well..

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 6:22 am

Corkygirl, where are you located...if in the states contact ladygouldian.com and she can go through the symptoms with you and advise on the medications needed.

Corkysgirl · Post by **Corkysgirl** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 3:00 pm

Yes, I will do that. She's doing a little better this morning, more animated....hopping around with more energy. She still can't hop up to a perch though...but wants to desperately. She's trying to. That's a big improvement from yesterday so maybe she's turned the corner. I do think it's a fungus though from the antibiotics. She's a bit on the small side too so she gets sick easier. Her growth was stunted, I guess from an old bird fostering her. Oh....and I have a reflective blanket over the top to reflect the light down for more vitamins from the full spectrum bulb. I can't get the temp over 80 though. When she was really bad I took her out and held her over the bulb (carefully) for more direct warmth. That always helped my sick or egg bound birds. Thanks everyone!

Post by **finchmix22** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 3:29 pm

Glad she is doing better. You could place a perch low enough so she can perch and not have to fly to get to the perch. I usually keep one low to the bottom perch in case anyone is tired or needs a rest below, near food and water.

debbie276 · Post by **debbie276** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 3:37 pm

If your not already, I would be offering hard boiled eggs for the vitamin, minerals and high protein needed to help her. Also be sure to give the egg shell for calcium.
best of luck

Corkysgirl · Post by **Corkysgirl** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 3:43 pm

Thanks Debbie, I gave her a good amount of calcium. I haven't given her an egg in about a week. I will do that now. Thanks for the reminder.

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