throwing up seed

JHitchcock · Post by **JHitchcock** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:31 pm

Ive got a sick owlfinch in a hospital cage that i pulled out of the aviary a couple of days ago, got him under a heat lamp, and i was just observing him and he began throwing up seed... would spin his head left to right and throw out a few seeds. after a couple of minuets he would repeat... what is disease causes that? his vent is a tad bit dirty, but no watery droppings just yet... he is kept in an outdoor aviary, that is covered up for the winter with a plexi roof for sunlight and plexi glass siding to block wind drafts. should i administer a preventative treatment to the aviary he came from?

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:40 pm

I can't answer your question but I was just curious about if your Owl finch is still sick or recovered?

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:47 pm

I can't suggest anything either. Is he regurgitating or actually vomiting? Can you take him to an avian vet?

JHitchcock · Post by **JHitchcock** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 5:00 pm

he passed last night in the hospital cage. now im worried about the rest of the inhabitants in the aviary... ive got one more owl that looks sick guna pull it out and see what i can do... wondering if i should dose the aviary with probiotics ?

JHitchcock · Post by **JHitchcock** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 8:19 pm

any suggestions ?

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:33 pm

are owls the only species that you have in the aviary? if you do have other species in there, do any of them appear to be showing symptoms or does it seem to be owls alone.

JHitchcock · Post by **JHitchcock** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:37 pm

ive got owls, stars, goldbreast waxbills, red face parrots, and shafttails in that aviary. The waxbills seem to be fine - no symptoms of anything. one owl is acting peculiar, the stars seem fine so far.. one or two may be fluffed a bit more than they should be... but havnt seen any clear symptoms... YET.. however im a bit worried about the flock...

I love ZF · Post by **I love ZF** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:10 am

I'm terribly sorry for your loss. I had a female zebra finch started to throw up seeds and her vent also started to get dirty, poop stuck on her vent and it got bigger & bigger. When I took her to the avian vet, he found a big bump around her throat.... he thought it was a tumor. She died at that moment. And then another female got sick a week later and passed away b/f I was even going to take her to the vet. From that experience, as soon as I see any kind of small sign of my finches maybe sick, I immediately take them to the avian vet. But also just in case, I have this product called "Thrive". This boosts immune system for sick birds and fight disease. Avian vet I trust isn't available for 24 seven, so if I have to wait to see her, I give my bird "Thrive" until then.

I searched on the internet to find the possibility of what happened to my birds. I think they got some kind of bacterial infection. Any kind of stuff you have now to help fight sickness, I would provide. You can get "Thrive" through http://www.finchniche.com/s-product-thrive.mgi

Hope your finches are going to be okay.....

gomer · Post by **gomer** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 6:58 am

here are some ideas.
fermenting bacteria (sour crop)
Canker
Thrush
Iodine deficiency enlarging thyroid gland
Toxins eg chemicals, plant toxins, lead, zinc
kidney failure
crop obstruction.
All of these will cause regurgitation.
if you want any info on these and cant google it give us a yell.as there is alot of info on each.I don't know how common thrush and canker is your way.others in your area may know.the others would be easier to treat if it is any of them.If you are lucky it may be a one of.