fluffed strawberry

27 May 2011, 13:37

I got a sick hen strawberry, all fluffed up and sitting right next to heat lamp, been like this for a week. Has had heat 24 -7 and ivomec about 6 days ago with slolvet added to water 2 days ago. Still not looking any better. Fluffed up, lathargic, eating and drinking and still sitting on perch. Vent clear bit feathers around there and tail all distorted. Checked for egg binding but can't see anything wrong there. Totally at ends wits and can't place a finger on it, going to apply olive oil to vent and give electrolite fluid. Can anybody give some advice as to what else to do?

27 May 2011, 15:43

Think you are doing all the right things, just need to wait now and see if things improve. I dont think I would be treating her with anything else if you have given Ivomec, otherwise you might have a clash of ingredients.

been like this for a week.

and ivomec about 6 days ago

You say about 6 days ago. Was the Ivomec given before she became sick, or she became sick shortly after getting it?

27 May 2011, 15:59

Hi Danny.

Unfortunately, what you are describing could be due to one of any number of diseases. A sick finch often looks like a sick finch, no matter what the cause is!
The only way to really know what's wrong with your bird is to have it examined by a bird vet- even then the answer may only be found on post mortem examination- not much help for this bird, but may help the others in the aviary.

Having said that, there is a fair bit of fungal stomach disease around at the moment as well as a parasitic disease known as atoxoplasmosis.
The fungal disease you can try to treat with nystatin oral suspension which you may be able to get from the chemist- one drop 3 times daily for 5-7 days. There are stronger medications but these require veterinary prescription.

The atoxoplasmosis is very difficult to treat but baycox for 2-3 days may help.
Both of these diseases are often secondary to stress- eg cold, competition from other birds, lack of enough suitable roosting sites; slip up in hygiene etc- so make sure you have all those factors right.

Good luck with your little girl!

27 May 2011, 17:29

No haven't treated her with ivomec recently, about 3.5 months ago when I done a worming to all my birds. Sitting on the ground now in my little cage inside with her partner. Doesn't look to good might have to wait till tomorrow and see if I can get her in to a avian vet- all on the other side of town. Heart breaking to watch her go through this and her partner calling to her to sit on the perch beside him.

27 May 2011, 17:46

djb78 wrote:I got a sick hen strawberry, all fluffed up and sitting right next to heat lamp, been like this for a week. Has had heat 24 -7 and ivomec about 6 days ago with slolvet added to water 2 days ago. Still not looking any better. Fluffed up, lathargic, eating and drinking and still sitting on perch. Vent clear bit feathers around there and tail all distorted. Checked for egg binding but can't see anything wrong there. Totally at ends wits and can't place a finger on it, going to apply olive oil to vent and give electrolite fluid. Can anybody give some advice as to what else to do?

Hmmm your original post said you treated her with Ivermec about 6 days ago
Anyway if you have treated her for anything I would give that time to work first.

27 May 2011, 17:59

OK old furts cure all for tummy bugs in finches ...Red Cordial in the drinking water , not strong just enough to colour it .

Don't be all shooting the messenger here either , Old fella here in town been breeding finches forever swears by it also know of parrot breeders using it .

Good thing is , its not a chemical so whats it going to harm to try it ?

27 May 2011, 18:36

Sorry Dianne got to be abit more clear gave all my birds ivomec approx 3.5 months ago as a worming solution as my normal worming solution ran out of date, then the hen looked sick about a week ago gave her heat from the lamp in her cage. Next day moved her into the hospital cage ministered ivomec(1 drop back of neck) then 2 days ago gave her solvet hoping that the extra viamins would help. Just wormed the rest of my birds 2 days ago with ivonec and nit one looks il, so don't think that its gone bad.

31 May 2011, 19:52

Took her to the vet died by the time I got there, the result was stomach infection. Have to take the male out and give him syrup to be on the safe side the vet thinks. Might have been lead by bad greens, fruit or seed. Have no other sick birds from this so got me buggered. The male seems to be ok with the painteds but still calling his hen, but the other pair seem to be fine, they were in the cabinet right beside her and at what they ate. Does anybody know if I can put my other male in with them or lead him in with the painteds.