Very sick zebra finch keeps moving all night. It's 3am, help

[Zebrafinch000]

Hello everyone! I am writing to ask some questions re my sick finch and I genuinely hope you can give me some advice as I feel really helpless.

My male finch has been having some constipation problems since last Oct. At one point he was very sick so we brought him to the vet and he got injected some antibiotic because his abdomen was swollen. The vet said he might have a tumor or was badly infected. And miraculously he recovered. But from time to time he still had problems pooping and we had to help him clean his vent occasionally so he can poop. But he has been healthy and active.

Until this month he started feeling sick again, really sleepy, puffed up, and ate less so we thought bringing him to the vet again will help. And most importantly we wanted to see what we can do about the constipation/ wet vent problem. He was injected the same antibiotic from last time and that week he was very dull (unlike last time) but still active when eating. He ate very much but right after eating he went back to the nest immediately and started to sleep. We knew something was wrong and we took him to see the vet again. This time he told us he might not make it because his liver was swollen and if it's not caused by bacteria or parasites then it should be a tumor. He gave him another shot of antibiotic that can kill most bacteria (diff than the last one) and see if it can do ko many good. And we see him getting weaker and weaker after even the first shot of antibiotic two weeks ago. So different from last time. And he is sooo sleepy and can't even stand still. Has problems flying. And closes his eyes all day. And he cannot sleep at night as he keeps moving every one minute (it seems that he is in pain, wanting to "poop" inside his nest and he makes so much noise. I'm very worried now as I'm writing this because I feel he might just not make it. He cannot poop, I think that's the problem. That's the problem that makes him sick like this tonight. Because it seems he feels better after pooping a little in the afternoon.

Do you know what could be the cause of this problem? I know it can be life threatening if a finch cannot poop. I feel he's in pain... Please help, any advice would be highly appreciated. Thank you very much!

[debbie276]

I'm so sorry you have to go through this
I'm sure it is more then just constipation and your vet would be the best source of information and help.
Sending well wishes

[fhgwgads]

Zebrafinch000 I am sorry to hear about your little boy. It is very upsetting and discouraging to go through something such as this. When he does poop does it look normal? Is it hard? What color is it? Normal poop is dark green to black with a smaller solid white portion and clear liquid. He is pooping only once a day or so? I am wondering if he is having issues pooping because of a tumor like the vet suggested... or possibly something else that is causing swelling inside his body. What kind of diet is he on? Do you feed him any veggies or fruits? How often is he drinking water? I hope some other members will have some advice for you.. I don't really have much advice but hopefully the answers to my questions can help us understand a little bit more.

[Zebrafinch000]

Thanks guys for the feedback. He has been having problems with pooping and his poop was sometimes normal, sometimes the watery part was greenish. I didn't sleep much all night because he kept moving and I can hear him when I slept (I brought him to my room tonight and it makes me realize maybe that's why he was always so sleepy these two weeks because he can barely sleep!). Anyways his poop was really sticky before and my sis and I thought it was why poop always sticked to his vent. We always give him veggies and banana, orange, or apple, besides the seed diet he has been having all his life. He's about 8 years old, so the vet said we had been taking care of him very well because usually finches only live around 5 years. Although he has seen finches that lived past 10 yrs old. He pooped for few times yesterday but the "size" wasn't big because he doesn't seem to drink much water. But he ate a lot!!

Anyway, we did think about letting him go today because seeing him suffer like last night makes us feel really bad and there is nth much we can do. but it's a really a tough decision to make because we somehow still have hope; yesterday after he pooped he sang for a while!!

[Zebrafinch000]

I forgot to add after the antibiotic shots two weeks ago he didn't have poo sticked to his vent because the vet also helped trim his feather in the area to prevent it. So maybe the antibiotic did help the bacteria part, but do you think it weakened his liver?

[Nerien]

If it has been an infection, that may have weakened him. But it could also be a tumor. I had a parakeet (budgie) who appeared to have injured a leg. I set her up in a hospital cage, rigged it with special perches and platforms to help her perch on her one good leg, was even looking for a handicapped parakeet to adopt to keep her company (I have a big flight with many parakeets, so this one had had lots of friends to live with). But after a couple of weeks, it became clear it was a tumor interfering with her leg and the nerves, as it grew big enough to be seen, and she lived just another week or two after that.

Sometimes, after trying everything you can, it is time to let go. If the bird is suffering and struggling, as much as we want to keep them with us forever, it's best to think of what the bird is going through, and let go.

[fhgwgads]

Zebrafinch000 I agree with Nerien it is possible it could be a tumor. I am guessing that the vet did not do an x-ray or anything to see if there was an actual tumor? I had a budgie as well who was older than the rest.. she started acting in pain, lethargic, and had a dirty vent from pooping.. or trying to poop rather. She stopped eating a lot too.. and we brought her to the vet. Originally he was hoping she was egg bound because he saw a mass on the x-ray but when he took a sample of liquid with a syringe it came out as blood so he put her to sleep because she was already under anesthesia and we didn't want her to wake up and be afraid or experience any pain. Sometimes things like this happen especially as birds age.

Unfortunately I cannot really think of anything specific that would be causing the problem. If he was already put on antibiotics and they didn't do much.. the only thing I can think is to go to the vet again and see if there is a way to check for a tumor. As far as medical stuff and diagnosing things I do not really have the knowledge. I would say if he isn't drinking a lot maybe that could cause him to be constipated but I can't imagine it would be that extreme? Especially if it was never an issue before and he knows where his water is. But I do know if it is a tumor he can be uncomfortable and that is why he can't sleep. Is he just moving around all night trying to get comfortable? I am sorry I cannot really offer any other help with your situation. The only thing I can say is to watch him.. especially checking to see if you notice any growth that would indicate a tumor, and just try to make him as comfortable as you can.. which I know is hard for a bird.

I would also speak to the vet about a tumor if you are capable of doing that. Since he is a but older it may be that he is just getting older and/or developing health issues... so I know it sounds terrible but I would try to spend a little extra time with him. You may even be able to notice some other symptoms if you sit and just watch him for a while (if you haven't already that is). Hopefully it is nothing serious and you can get to the bottom of it all.. and I am praying for him and hoping he will recover! I don't want to sound alarming or callous at all... my intent is the exact opposite. But from experience when birds are displaying symptoms or pain.. whatever they have is usually already pretty far along. Birds generally hide their symptoms until it is too late because showing any signs of weakness would make them a target to prey. I really hope you can get an answer on what is going on!! And please keep us posted as well!! And hopefully someone else will be able to provide some ideas.

[Angela&Shalamar]

I hate to say it but I really think you should seriously consider euthanasia at this point. It really does sound like something much more then just an infection and it does sound like he is in pain. Ask yourself and your vet. Is there anything else reasonable to try and two does he have any quality of life...it really doesn't sound like it. At 8 years old a tumor is likely since the antibiotics haven't brought a cure. I'm sorry I know that's not what you want to hear...it's always the hardest thing to know when it's time to say goodbye and even harder to do it

[Zebrafinch000]

Thank you all for replying to my question. We put him to sleep yesterday at around 5pm. And it was really hard. We finally decided to let him go at 12pm even though we saw him eating a lot and he still sang little at one point. Because the clinic is so far away from home and it was kinda full yesterday we had to rush... And it felt really bad to have to rush there to put him to sleep but it had to be done as we didn't want him to suffer for another night. It is just that when he had to go, he didn't look as sick and whenever I think about the way he innocently looked at us makes me feel so sad. And I was ok after we left the clinic. Hardest thing however is going home feeling the emptiness he left behind. Although we are glad that he doesn't have to suffer anymore but I was always very attached to him I just find the pain really unbearable. I just woke up at 5am and kept thinking about him, and I cannot fall back to asleep.

[fhgwgads]

Zebrafinch000 I am very sorry for your loss. I understand how heartbreaking it can be. But as you already know he was not doing good. And don't feel bad about the fact that he may have looked a little better right before he was put to sleep.. bird who are that sick go downhill incredibly fast. You probably saved him from a LOT of pain and suffering. When I found my boy Shadow on the bottom of the cage really sick.. he tried to get up and go to his swing to show me he was ok when he definitely was not ok. I found him hours later in the food dish.. he passed away sometime in the early morning. Also you got to spend his last moments with him as I did not with my Shadow. Unfortunately when birds are sick they are very sick by the time they show it... so don't beat yourself up over it. You did what you had to do to prevent him from suffering for who knows how long. And you have many years of time to remember and cherish. Sending you my deepest condolences!! May your little guy rest in peace!

[lovezebs]

Sorry about your little boy. We can all sympathize with you, from our own experiences of losing much beloved pets. What can I say, other that sometimes life sucks and its difficult to accept that, but you had 8 wonderful yrs with the little fella and now he's at peace and no longer in pain.

[debbie276]

So very sorry for your loss

[Nerien]

So sorry for you and your little one. Sometimes they try and rally just before the end, so it looks hopeful, but it's actually not. He is no longer suffering, and that is a good thing for him. It's just so sad for those who are missing him.

[Angela&Shalamar]

I'm so sorry but I really do believe you did the best thing for him. Sometimes we have to love and care enough to let go. Our minds know this but our hearts always bleed.

[chirpy]

Zebrafinch000 I am so sorry for you loss.. He was so loved.. I do believe that it was the right thing that you did.. as we all here know we do not want our little finches to be going through pain, or being uncomfortable. They are such little angels.. and it certainly looks as though you had done all that you could have. He is no longer in pain, and he was so lucky to have such great finch parents like you.