HELP GOULDS DROPPING DEAD!!!

[isibee]

Some of my Goulds are dropping dead with no visible signs of anything!

It all started a few months ago when I brought home two new ones but put them in quarantine since I didn t really trust the owner. Within two weeks four were dead...the two I bought and two others which were nowhere near!

Now this morning and tonight two more dead...but it looks like from the same family as the previous ones...they looked healthy and suddenly poufff...gone...I'm scared!

I don t want to loose anymore...just bought something for worms and coccicare by Ladygoudian...is this any good?


thanks for your help, I need it.

[cindy]

Hi,
I hope you don't loose anymore, but it could be viral or bacterial. With this many passing I would consult a avian vet. If you loose another one, freeze the body right away and have them do an autopsy, tissue samples.

[isibee]

we don t have avian vets here...

[dfcauley]

I would begin immediaely some kind of treatment. I do not think they would die that quickly from worms. ????

What meds did you get? It sounds like a bacertial infection. So sorry for your loss.

[MLaRue]

This sounds viral to me - when they drop dead for no reason and no warning it is usually a viral infection.

Which there is no treatment for - just like when we get a virus infection it has to run its course.

I'm so sorry you are loosing them!

[Hilary]

I'd be extra diligent about washing hands between working in different cages. I know how helpless you can feel - hope this is the end of it.

[Sally]

And make sure that any food and water dishes or tubes are kept separate from any other birds--hot soapy water wash, and then a rinse in 10% bleach, then clean water rinse--try to avoid any cross-contamination.

[poohbear]

If you didn't really trust the source why go there?? Sorry for your losses but try and find reliable breeders,they are out there if you look for them...although maybe further away.Never buy on impulse..especially with gouldians.

[cindy]

And make sure that any food and water dishes or tubes are kept separate from any other birds--hot soapy water wash, and then a rinse in 10% bleach, then clean water rinse--try to avoid any cross-contamination.

I agree with Sally and Poohbear, but always go to your healthy, established birds first to feed, water and clean then go to your new birds/ill birds last. Wash well with a good anti bacterial soap then go tend to the ill/quarantine birds. I use a bleach/lysol and water solution since some germ cells are double coated and bleach may not penatrate through enough to kill the germ cell.

Keep a separate container with scoop of foods, treats in the quarantine/sick room. I even use a separate roll of paper towels, perch scraper, sponge only for that room.

If you ever suspect anything when visiting an aviary or store, leave the shoes you wore outside and disinfect them, change your clothes and wash well, even shampoo your hair before going near your birds.

They did a study involving Parrot Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) a very cruel and almost all the times fatal or disfiguring parrot illness. They swab tested a hall where a bird show was to be held, tested the wall, doors, even the handles on the doors, clothes the people had on before any birds were brought in.

After the show was done for the weekend, the PBFD was present everywhere, clothes, tables, door knobs so great care should always be taken before coming in contact with your flock. Our avian vet swabs her office several times a week for it and other diseases and disinfects daily exam rooms and waiting area. Many things are airborne and can easily be transfered to your birds.

My husband has gotten used to the routine of shoes off outside, disinfect them, shower and clean clothes if we go to a show. It is to protct the birds we have. Anything we buy like nestboxes, food cups, cages, toys go into a bleach/lysol solution, two rinses and out in the sun to try.

[nixity]

I agree about viral - but I would also consider the possibility of megabacteria and ornithosis..

[dfcauley]

I agree about viral - but I would also consider the possibility of megabacteria and ornithosis..

okay... call me crazy..... but I have been reading about the benefits of collodial silver. Do you think spraying it with that would help?

I am considering doing this for my painted finch's eye.

[nixity]

I don't know anything about colloidal silver, sorry :\
Misty could probably answer that, though..