HELP, PLEASE, my lavender is not acting right
- MiaCarter
- Molting
- Posts: 3528
- Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2014 1:36 pm
- Location: SW Florida
Re: HELP, PLEASE, my lavender is not acting right
Aw no! I love your lavendars! So lovely.
I'd hit him with Rescue Remedy, Thrive and Amoxitex.
The balance issue has just a small number of potential causes.
An inner ear infection is one possibility. I'd say this is a good possibility. They act slightly off, but not profoundly unwell until the infection advances to the point of serious balance issues. Ultimately, it will spread to the respiratory system, as the ears are connected to the throat.
It could also be viral, which is one cause of twirling. I had a hen (Priscilla) who presented similarly to your guy and this was apparently the cause, because the standard remedy --- Trimethoprim Sulfa (antibiotic) and Nystatin (antifungal) was the solution that worked.
The Amoxitex and nursing measures did nothing.
She acted unwell, but it was clearly because she was off balance. By the time I started her on Trimethoprim Sulfa and Nystatin, she was living in her nest full-time, even getting her meals in there. That's how bad the balance problem was. Once the balance improved, she was up and living again.
You could also see balance issues due to extreme dehydration and/or extreme hypoglycemia. But in theory, those problems should never arise alone. So unless you were withholding food/water, those symptoms are virtually always a symptom of a greater problem.
The other cause of balance issues would be toxin accumulation due to failing liver and/or kidneys. There's nothing you could really do for this beyond comfort measures, as it would be the result of very advanced disease process. (In a dog or cat or even a larger bird, you would administer fluid therapy and other supportive measures to try to reverse the failure. But that's quite difficult in a finch. Though if you had Ringer's solution and a syringe, there wouldn't be any harm in a subcutaneous injection of some fluids.)
I would start him on Amoxitex. If it's an inner ear infection, he'll start improving fairly quickly - within 24-48 hours.
If there's no improvement, I'd try the Trimethoprim Sulfa (antibiotic) and Nystatin (antifungal) mix.
Honestly, I'd cut to the chase and administer antibiotics because that's the only really treatable condition that could cause this.
You could hold off and offer supportive measures to see if he improves.
If it's an infection, he'd get worse.
If it's viral, he'd get worse.
If it's toxicity due to organ failure, there's no telling what would happen. He'd probably get worse, but that wouldn't have any relation to whether or not you administered antibiotics.
So as I see it, there's no sense in holding off on antibiotics.
If you have babies in that cage, I think you need to pull him if you administer antibiotic. I did administer antibiotics once in a cage with unweaned babies and they were okay, but I also administered nystatin to prevent yeast infection formation.
Without nystatin, I wouldn't risk it. The chances of the babies forming a yeast infection is too high.
I'd hit him with Rescue Remedy, Thrive and Amoxitex.
The balance issue has just a small number of potential causes.
An inner ear infection is one possibility. I'd say this is a good possibility. They act slightly off, but not profoundly unwell until the infection advances to the point of serious balance issues. Ultimately, it will spread to the respiratory system, as the ears are connected to the throat.
It could also be viral, which is one cause of twirling. I had a hen (Priscilla) who presented similarly to your guy and this was apparently the cause, because the standard remedy --- Trimethoprim Sulfa (antibiotic) and Nystatin (antifungal) was the solution that worked.
The Amoxitex and nursing measures did nothing.
She acted unwell, but it was clearly because she was off balance. By the time I started her on Trimethoprim Sulfa and Nystatin, she was living in her nest full-time, even getting her meals in there. That's how bad the balance problem was. Once the balance improved, she was up and living again.
You could also see balance issues due to extreme dehydration and/or extreme hypoglycemia. But in theory, those problems should never arise alone. So unless you were withholding food/water, those symptoms are virtually always a symptom of a greater problem.
The other cause of balance issues would be toxin accumulation due to failing liver and/or kidneys. There's nothing you could really do for this beyond comfort measures, as it would be the result of very advanced disease process. (In a dog or cat or even a larger bird, you would administer fluid therapy and other supportive measures to try to reverse the failure. But that's quite difficult in a finch. Though if you had Ringer's solution and a syringe, there wouldn't be any harm in a subcutaneous injection of some fluids.)
I would start him on Amoxitex. If it's an inner ear infection, he'll start improving fairly quickly - within 24-48 hours.
If there's no improvement, I'd try the Trimethoprim Sulfa (antibiotic) and Nystatin (antifungal) mix.
Honestly, I'd cut to the chase and administer antibiotics because that's the only really treatable condition that could cause this.
You could hold off and offer supportive measures to see if he improves.
If it's an infection, he'd get worse.
If it's viral, he'd get worse.
If it's toxicity due to organ failure, there's no telling what would happen. He'd probably get worse, but that wouldn't have any relation to whether or not you administered antibiotics.
So as I see it, there's no sense in holding off on antibiotics.
If you have babies in that cage, I think you need to pull him if you administer antibiotic. I did administer antibiotics once in a cage with unweaned babies and they were okay, but I also administered nystatin to prevent yeast infection formation.
Without nystatin, I wouldn't risk it. The chances of the babies forming a yeast infection is too high.
Humum to....
13 Zebra Finches....and 2 squeeps!
3 Society Finches
6 Gouldians
1 Weaver
1 Pintail Whydah
2 Cockatiels
2 Parakeets
....along with 1 MinPin, 1 Pug, 1 JRT, 1 Yorkie, 2 Chihuahuas and 15 cats.

www.PetFinchFacts.com
13 Zebra Finches....and 2 squeeps!
3 Society Finches
6 Gouldians
1 Weaver
1 Pintail Whydah
2 Cockatiels
2 Parakeets
....along with 1 MinPin, 1 Pug, 1 JRT, 1 Yorkie, 2 Chihuahuas and 15 cats.

www.PetFinchFacts.com
- KarenB
- Proven
- Posts: 2013
- Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 11:29 am
- Location: Cypress, Texas
Re: HELP, PLEASE, my lavender is not acting right
He is weaker on the perch and when he clings to the millet to eat, and he just stumbles somewhat.
He has been camped out under the heat lamp for the past half hour. His hen came over and started to preen him. It was one of those aww, so cute moments.
Thanks, MiaCarter for your helpful insight, as always.
I do not have the Nystatin and the other Trime-thing you mentioned. Maybe I should add it to my pharmacopeia.
He has been camped out under the heat lamp for the past half hour. His hen came over and started to preen him. It was one of those aww, so cute moments.
Thanks, MiaCarter for your helpful insight, as always.

I do not have the Nystatin and the other Trime-thing you mentioned. Maybe I should add it to my pharmacopeia.
KarenB

- KarenB
- Proven
- Posts: 2013
- Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 11:29 am
- Location: Cypress, Texas
Re: HELP, PLEASE, my lavender is not acting right
I just snapped this one. The hen is above him. This is his all-the-time look.


KarenB

- lovezebs
- Mod Extraordinaire
- Posts: 18214
- Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:51 am
- Location: Calgary Alberta Canada
Re: HELP, PLEASE, my lavender is not acting right
KarenB
I hope your boy is feeling better soon. They are such lovely birds and definitely on my wish list.
~Elana~
I hope your boy is feeling better soon. They are such lovely birds and definitely on my wish list.
~Elana~
~Elana~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
- MiaCarter
- Molting
- Posts: 3528
- Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2014 1:36 pm
- Location: SW Florida
Re: HELP, PLEASE, my lavender is not acting right
Goodness are they gorgeous.
He doesn't look too unwell. A slight bit puffy, but not awful.
How's he doing today?
Did you decide to give him anything?
He doesn't look too unwell. A slight bit puffy, but not awful.
How's he doing today?
Did you decide to give him anything?
Humum to....
13 Zebra Finches....and 2 squeeps!
3 Society Finches
6 Gouldians
1 Weaver
1 Pintail Whydah
2 Cockatiels
2 Parakeets
....along with 1 MinPin, 1 Pug, 1 JRT, 1 Yorkie, 2 Chihuahuas and 15 cats.

www.PetFinchFacts.com
13 Zebra Finches....and 2 squeeps!
3 Society Finches
6 Gouldians
1 Weaver
1 Pintail Whydah
2 Cockatiels
2 Parakeets
....along with 1 MinPin, 1 Pug, 1 JRT, 1 Yorkie, 2 Chihuahuas and 15 cats.

www.PetFinchFacts.com
- KarenB
- Proven
- Posts: 2013
- Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 11:29 am
- Location: Cypress, Texas
Re: HELP, PLEASE, my lavender is not acting right
I put him in hospital with heat lamp, amox, thrive on the veggies and egg, regular seed mix, and miracle meal. Now we wait. Tonight I will see about photoshooting his poop. Fun times.
KarenB

- lovezebs
- Mod Extraordinaire
- Posts: 18214
- Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:51 am
- Location: Calgary Alberta Canada
Re: HELP, PLEASE, my lavender is not acting right
~Elana~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
- KarenB
- Proven
- Posts: 2013
- Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 11:29 am
- Location: Cypress, Texas
Re: HELP, PLEASE, my lavender is not acting right
Okay, all you Poopologists, what have we got? All are on a puppy pad that I put in there so I could see the poop better. It does absorb any liquidy stuff.
This is underneath where he's camped out under the heat lamp

This is in the middle of the cage

This is over by the food trough

And that is pretty much all he's pooped since I put him in yesterday.
This is underneath where he's camped out under the heat lamp

This is in the middle of the cage

This is over by the food trough

And that is pretty much all he's pooped since I put him in yesterday.
KarenB

- Colt
- Weaning
- Posts: 1940
- Joined: Sat Nov 09, 2013 1:43 pm
- Location: East Texas
Re: HELP, PLEASE, my lavender is not acting right
Good luck. Hoping we don't need to use Elana's cat for a sacrifice as I found no unwanted pests in the bird room.
And no idea on the poop...
And no idea on the poop...
Amethyst Starling
BF and RT Parrot Finch
Chestnut-breasted Mannikin
Lady Gouldian
Owl Finch
Shaft-tail Finch
Society Finch
Star Finch
Strawberry
Tri-colored Nun
Zebra Finch
Diamond Dove
Bourke & Scarlet-chested Parakeet
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brushy-C ... 0659711916
- MiaCarter
- Molting
- Posts: 3528
- Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2014 1:36 pm
- Location: SW Florida
Re: HELP, PLEASE, my lavender is not acting right
Hmm....poop doesn't look all that unusual to me.
Seems like there's a large percentage of feces, but I think it may be a function of being on the floor diaper. Remember that droppings are urates (the white stuff) urine and feces. I think it may be an optical illusion that there's a lot of feces, since the urates are blending in with the background.
And the feces are good since that shows us he's still eating.
Seems like there's a large percentage of feces, but I think it may be a function of being on the floor diaper. Remember that droppings are urates (the white stuff) urine and feces. I think it may be an optical illusion that there's a lot of feces, since the urates are blending in with the background.
And the feces are good since that shows us he's still eating.
Humum to....
13 Zebra Finches....and 2 squeeps!
3 Society Finches
6 Gouldians
1 Weaver
1 Pintail Whydah
2 Cockatiels
2 Parakeets
....along with 1 MinPin, 1 Pug, 1 JRT, 1 Yorkie, 2 Chihuahuas and 15 cats.

www.PetFinchFacts.com
13 Zebra Finches....and 2 squeeps!
3 Society Finches
6 Gouldians
1 Weaver
1 Pintail Whydah
2 Cockatiels
2 Parakeets
....along with 1 MinPin, 1 Pug, 1 JRT, 1 Yorkie, 2 Chihuahuas and 15 cats.

www.PetFinchFacts.com
- KarenB
- Proven
- Posts: 2013
- Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 11:29 am
- Location: Cypress, Texas
Re: HELP, PLEASE, my lavender is not acting right
Oh, he definitely is still eating. He's one of my best eaters.
KarenB

- MiaCarter
- Molting
- Posts: 3528
- Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2014 1:36 pm
- Location: SW Florida
Re: HELP, PLEASE, my lavender is not acting right
KarenB -- Well that's great!
Eating is a good thing!
Is there anything that could have stressed him?
Eating is a good thing!
Is there anything that could have stressed him?
Humum to....
13 Zebra Finches....and 2 squeeps!
3 Society Finches
6 Gouldians
1 Weaver
1 Pintail Whydah
2 Cockatiels
2 Parakeets
....along with 1 MinPin, 1 Pug, 1 JRT, 1 Yorkie, 2 Chihuahuas and 15 cats.

www.PetFinchFacts.com
13 Zebra Finches....and 2 squeeps!
3 Society Finches
6 Gouldians
1 Weaver
1 Pintail Whydah
2 Cockatiels
2 Parakeets
....along with 1 MinPin, 1 Pug, 1 JRT, 1 Yorkie, 2 Chihuahuas and 15 cats.

www.PetFinchFacts.com
- lovezebs
- Mod Extraordinaire
- Posts: 18214
- Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:51 am
- Location: Calgary Alberta Canada
Re: HELP, PLEASE, my lavender is not acting right
KarenB
I'm no poop expert, but this looks normal to me.
Karen, is he still acting off? Or have things improved?
If he was a guy, I would wonder if he'd been drinking. Which brings up something I'd heared on the news the other day. It had something to do with birds eating fermenting fruit somewhere and getting tipsy. Your guy hasn't been partaking of some fermenting berries, has he?
~Elana~
I'm no poop expert, but this looks normal to me.
Karen, is he still acting off? Or have things improved?
If he was a guy, I would wonder if he'd been drinking. Which brings up something I'd heared on the news the other day. It had something to do with birds eating fermenting fruit somewhere and getting tipsy. Your guy hasn't been partaking of some fermenting berries, has he?
~Elana~
~Elana~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
- KarenB
- Proven
- Posts: 2013
- Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 11:29 am
- Location: Cypress, Texas
Re: HELP, PLEASE, my lavender is not acting right
If that boy has gotten into my brandy, imma be mad.lovezebs wrote: KarenB
I'm no poop expert, but this looks normal to me.
Karen, is he still acting off? Or have things improved?
If he was a guy, I would wonder if he'd been drinking. Which brings up something I'd heared on the news the other day. It had something to do with birds eating fermenting fruit somewhere and getting tipsy. Your guy hasn't been partaking of some fermenting berries, has he?
~Elana~
KarenB

- KarenB
- Proven
- Posts: 2013
- Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 11:29 am
- Location: Cypress, Texas
Re: HELP, PLEASE, my lavender is not acting right
Like I said, he acts perfectly normal in all respects but for the fact he does act like he's a bit tipsy. I guess that really is the best explanation for what I see. I haven't seen him since this morning. Just got off work and I'm on the bus home, so I will check him out when I get there.
The curious thing is that he is the only one in the flight acting like that. Thank you bird gods.
The curious thing is that he is the only one in the flight acting like that. Thank you bird gods.
KarenB
