Moulting + diarrhoea

Is your finch sick or not well? Find out why.
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1000HrZ
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Posts: 22
Joined: 04 Apr 2012, 20:49
Location: Netherlands

Hi everybody,

I have 2 gouldians witch are moulting and having diarrhoea.
One of them died yesterday the other one is still with us.

Has anyone seen this before ?
I wish i could fly

http://vogel.digistrado.nl
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jusdeb
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Joined: 12 Mar 2009, 19:43
Location: Dubbo, NSW
Location: Western Plains NSW

Cany help but can say sorry you lost your bird . Hope someone can help you out and the other one is OK .
Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue.
David Brent
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Myzomela
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Joined: 24 Jan 2011, 18:44
Location: Melbourne Vic

Moulting is a time of stress for most birds and particularly gouldians. There are huge demands for energy and protein as they replace their feathers; their insulation capacity is down and the weather is getting cooler.

It is not surprising that they are more prone to becoming ill at this time. Moulting is also a period of significant mortality in wild birds, particularly the juvenile moult.

The diarrhoea could be caused by any number of illnesses from coccidia, bacteria, worms, yeasts/fungi, protozoal parasites, or actually be excess urine that you are interpreting as diarrhoea. There is no specific "moulting-diarrhoea" syndrome.

You can try supporting the sick bird with heat and electrolytes in the water. You could also take a punt on medication but be aware that that's exactly what it would be- a punt, because the cause of the diarrhoea is unknown. If I was to guess I would suggest a sulpha-based antibiotic, but you may have something else at home that may also be suitable. What drugs do you have at home?

Having said this healthy birds on good diets kept in the correct conditions usually moult without any problems; after all it is a natural part of being a bird.

Good luck
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