CB is very sick.

[solo_birdlover]

My male Cordon that I've had for 6 years is very sick and I don't know what to do. It all started long time ago with him losing his voice gradually to where he no longer makes any sound and I miss his soft song so much. Then he began to cough on and off and he would open his beak and move his tongue around as if he's trying to move something out of his throat. I though it was air sac mite -although I doubted it was- so I treated him for that but he didn't improve. Now, he starts coughing violently as if he's choking whenever he flies even a short distant from perch to perch. It really kills me to see him suffer and I cried tonight when I saw him close his eyes while bobbing his head. I think he's getting up there in age and he's lonely and I can't find him a female. I feel he doesn't have much left in his life. He struggles in his short flights in the cage and I think he's having some kind of a problem in his feet but the worst thing is the breathing problem he's having.

Any one knows what the problem could be? Vets here are expensive and I'm not in a good financial situation right now but I can't watch him suffer like this but wondering if a vet would be able to diagnose such small birds.

Thanks.

[Sally]

If you've had the bird for 6 years, and he was an adult when you got him, chances are that he is simply getting old. Many of the waxbills will have a lifespan of 7-8 years, though that can vary tremendously. I don't think finding a mate for him at this late stage will help at all, and it could stress him. Sorry I can't offer more help.

[Ginene]

So sorry to hear about your CB...

[finchmix22]

Yes, he'l aging, but he could have a respiratory infection too. Have you treated with antibiotics? He may not survive any treatment since he is old, but prayers your way. I just lost an old albino Society to age and he acted similar, but was not coughing.

[lovezebs]

Poor little fella. I wish that there was something we could do to help. I would keep him comfortable in a small cage with a warm light over him and give him his favorite foods and treats.
I hope he pulls through, but if it is iold age, then nature must take it's course. I'm sorry.

[solo_birdlover]

Thank you all for the replies and the nice words. I'm thinking about giving it Tetracycline (Ornacycline) and see if that helps. I know it's not air sac mites. So I'm hoping if it's a bacterial infection the Ornacycline will treat it.
This bird is definitely an old one but I once read somewhere about a guy who had his for 19 years before it died.

[danaday]

I'm sorry to hear about your CB. I hope he gets better. Good luck.

[lovezebs]

How is the little guy doing today? Hope things are looking up some.

[solo_birdlover]

Thanks, danaday.

Lovezebs, he's still around. Not much better but not worse. He looks around and not totally inactive or puffed up but I know something is bothering his breathing. He's also constantly wiping his beak on perches. I just got some Tetracycline and I'm going to add it to his water and see if that helps.
Thanks for asking.

[lovezebs]

Sending good wishes your way. I really hope he pulls through and gets better. It's difficult, most especially because they can' t tell you what's wrong and you know they are suffering and you feel so helpless.

[solo_birdlover]

Thanks, lovezebs. I Know. It's hard to see them suffer and not be able to help. I imagine myself struggling with breathing...

[Zebrafincher]

I hope your little bird pulls through. He sounds like an old timer. I have a 12 yr old canary, Kevin. He gets arthritic every year and they give him medication for it....

Good luck


Zebrafincher
Proud owner of:
“Kevin the King”, groutchy, cranky canary – 12 years
Beaky the Zebbie – 9 months old – a real, real cutie!!!
Merlin “Merl” the Starfinch – 2 years – and “bossy as anything for such a small fry!”

[lovezebs]

How is the little fella today?

[solo_birdlover]

Sorry about the late reply. I actually tried to reply late last night but after I pushed the "submit" button everything got deleted for some reason. Anyway, there's some good news about my CB guy but also some bad news. As mentioned previously, I'd tried the air sac mite med (drops at back of neck one) 3 times in the past with no success as symptoms never improved but I decided to give it another try a few days back and for some reason the symptoms disappeared instantaneously -like within minutes- after the drops. Now the bad news, as I was holding the bird he tried to free himself so I tightened my grip around him to prevent him from spreading his wings and as soon as I put him back in the cage I noticed that he couldn't fly more a foot or so off the bottom of the cage. But the same thing had happened almost a year ago where he couldn't fly for a few days but eventually he was back to normal. So, I'm hoping it'll be the same thing this time too and he'll be able to fly again. I know it's not a broken wing though as he can flap both wings and fly a couple of feet horizontally.
He's now sitting in a small cage where he doesn't need to use his wings. I've also been using antibiotic (Tetracycline) in his water just to help with his previous problems (breathing...) and so far the crazy coughing, continuous head shaking, tongue twisting and constant wiping of the beak have completely stopped (none in the past 5 days), which is good. He's eating normally. I just hope the flying thing will resolve with time.
Thanks again lovezebs for asking, and thanks zebrafincher. Yeah. My guy has arthritis too on top of all of his problems. Poor guy. I'm wondering if there's something I can give him for that. Poor guy. Only a couple of years back he used to be this gorgeous dark blue and brown active bird. It's sad what age does to all living creatures.

[lovezebs]

Yes, age is not a friend to us living creatures. You know when they talk about the golden years... Ha! They lie.

Anyway, is little guy doing any better? I was glad to hear that there was some improvement. As for his poor achy joints, there is something that zebrafincher mentioned somewhere in this post. Ask what it is, maybe it would help your guy too.

Goodluck