fluffed up Lady Gouldian

[Gypsyrose4]

I am very scared my bird is sick there are no Bird vets in the small town I live in. He is fluffed, seems to still eat and drink a bit. However, is sometimes flying to the bottom of the cage and eating off the ground or just sitting there. I phoned a pet store and they said are there feathers at bottom of cage I said a few they said that during molt they can fluff up and become listless. I listen to see if he is breathing hard but don't hear any clicking or anything. Is it possible this is due to molting? Mickey nick name Kiki is only 4 years old and I have really have grown attached to this little fellow. Any help would be appreciated.

[Gypsyrose4]

He is still sitting at the bottom of the cage fluffed up and breathing but it looks worse today he's not eating or drinking and doesn't open his eyes. We live in Squamish, British Columbia Canada about an hour from Vancouver. I took a picture of him this morning but have not figured out how to share it here.

[Gypsyrose4]

When I look a molt pictures his feathers look quite nice so I don't know what is going on here. I phoned a vet in my town and asked if he could help my bird he says he knows nothing about birds and none of the other vets here do either. It might be too late to do anything at this stage he is fluffed eyes closed and breathing can be seen but not heard. So I have no idea this happened so fast within a day. Although I had noticed he wasn't singing lately. Although day before flying, eating, and drinking. If an infection I could get antibiotics but maybe too late I put the water right next to him doesn't even move.

[Sally]

Is this the first time Mickey has gone through the molt since you've had him? It is true that the molt can be hard on them, especially for Gouldians who go through a more intense molt than many other species. If he is going through the molt, he should have plenty of egg food offered, as he needs the extra protein to grow new feathers. Can you attach a photo?

Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles, especially on the Gouldian finch. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier to answer locale-specific questions later on.

[Sally]

Now that I see your subsequent posts, I would put a heat lamp on this bird. A 60w bulb in a gooseneck desk lamp will work. Aim it at the end of one perch, or at the bottom where he is sitting, but make sure that he can get away from the heat if needed.

To post a photo, follow the instructions in this thread:

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=22710

[Gypsyrose4]

I was wondering about a heat lamp I did have one but I thought that was for egg binding and since a male I didn't think it would help, however he quit breathing an hour ago so bye bye Kiki will miss you.

[Sally]

Gypsyrose4

So sorry you lost him. With finches, they hide illness very well, so that by the time it is obvious they are sick, they often are too far gone, and there is nothing we can do for them. A heat lamp is good for any bird feeling under the weather, not just for egg bound hens, so a good thing to keep on hand.

[Gypsyrose4]

He was so sweet and beautiful I did have a heater by him so I thought that would keep him warm too. But like you said before I noticed he was sick it was too late. Do you think an infection?

[jimenezl]

Sorry bout Kiki.

[Sally]

There is no way to know what was wrong with him. Even with a necropsy, the vets can't always be sure what was the cause of death.