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Re: White Eared Mask finches fluffed up
Posted: 27 Mar 2012, 12:12
by Netsurfer
E Orix wrote:Chris
I will most likely be jumped on for the following but, I do not dose new birds.Infact in my opinion birds are so stressed when moved
that you should just give them seed and easy access to water. Maybe some live food if they normally eat it and some soaked seed
and leave them alone.Last night I arrived home with 21 birds.These birds spent 11 hours in the box(not a normal carry box)with seed and water.
At 9 oclock last night they were released into two small internal aviaries.One lot simply got seed and water plus a shallow bathing dish the other the same
plus some mealworms.A light was left on and I have only checked on them twice and it is now 3.30pm the next day and none have a feather out of place.
They were given food and a quiet period to settle down. Also while I use Virkon S in my soaked seed I don't think I would be too keen to add it to
their drinking water.Gluconden shouldn't be a problem. Why did you worm them,did you ask the previous owner if they neeeded it?
As I mentioned earlier stress is the great enemy and quiet and warmth are the best two things to counter it, and not to much medication and interference.
That's exactly my view on this and I hardly ever lose a bird, giving them cocktail of chemicals is not the way to go. Prolonged wet weather doesn't help at all. I do however use a spray-bottle (filled with Apple cider vinegar), and I squirt a little every morning after I wash and refill the water dish. Apparently some bacteria do not breed well in acidic environment, but the water dishes need to be washed and refilled every day. Birds only die if they've been neglected for too long.
Re: White Eared Mask finches fluffed up
Posted: 27 Mar 2012, 13:19
by vettepilot_6
I would not throw different medicines at them willy nilly....poop sample first then diagnose before any drugs....spark or gloucose is all I would use and warmth...once you have a poop sample go from there.....
Re: White Eared Mask finches fluffed up
Posted: 27 Mar 2012, 15:13
by CrimsonChris
What is and would the Turbosole be aiming at.
Re: White Eared Mask finches fluffed up
Posted: 27 Mar 2012, 15:25
by Myzomela
Hi Chris,
The problem is that you don't know what is wrong with your birds so it is impossible to recommend any specific treatment.
The answers given to you so far reflect the range of different diseases that can affect finches. In my opinion you really need to find a vet who knows something about birds and have a post mortem done on the dead one to find the cause & start the right medication. Otherwise you may just jump from one medication to the next and end up with all birds dead and still no answers. You could also have some droppings from the sick birds checked as this will show up any gut parasites or hopefully yeast or fungal infections.
E.orix and others are correct in saying that stress is the big trigger in bringing out subclinical disease. In your case, transport, new housing, different food/water & prolonged rain are all involved. I don't think that anything you have done has caused it.
Turbosole contains the drug ronidazole and is an anti-protozoal drug which will treat cochlosoma and trichomonas, amongst other diseases.
Re: White Eared Mask finches fluffed up
Posted: 27 Mar 2012, 15:59
by CrimsonChris
Thanks myzomela.
I did look into having an autopsy done. It was over $275 for disection then a further $165.00 to have biopsy sent elsewhere. Being in Cairns, i'm afraid im not overly confidant that a vet could diognose without sending for results. i discarded the dead bird.
Does any one know of a descent avian vet in Cairns that could make a diagnosis on the their own.I may have to bight the bullet.
Re: White Eared Mask finches fluffed up
Posted: 27 Mar 2012, 16:24
by vettepilot_6
http://cairnsvet.com.au/birds" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; this guy advertises specialising in birds..
Re: White Eared Mask finches fluffed up
Posted: 28 Mar 2012, 14:41
by CrimsonChris
Ok so we've been to the vet. took 3 of the 6 in. Poop test ( view) inconclusive. No paraisites so that rules that out. Bit too much water round droppings, mix of good poo's and not so good poo's on the cage paper. They have lost a little weight and are a bit thin on the chest but still active.
Have been given antibiotics...Psittavet. Its the dosage means that concerns me.
I'm told to make up in the evening/afternoon and leave till mid morning. Then remove treated water and all access to water during the day as the antibiotics is light sensitive. This is to reduce the drinking levels and remove some extra water from the poo. If i'm overly concerend about dehidration i could a give a drink at say 1pm for about 15 mins. By removing during the day they will consume more of the fresh batch.
Its very hot in Cairns.Does any one share my concern of no access to water during the heat of the day.
Re: White Eared Mask finches fluffed up
Posted: 28 Mar 2012, 15:42
by vettepilot_6
I lived and bred finches for a long time in Mackay...If birds are panting and have wings out slightly they are getting heat stressed...it was then time to turn sprinklers on in aviary...or on the roof of it....if high humidity it could be birds coming from a different area that is stressing them.
Re: White Eared Mask finches fluffed up
Posted: 28 Mar 2012, 20:17
by Myzomela
What time are you supposed to reintroduce the water in the afternoon Chris?
I hesitate to query another vet's judgement, but that just sounds weird to me.
How long is the treatment course meant to be?
I would never withhold water from finches, especially sick birds coming from a cool climate to a hot, humid one. I would have thought that leaving the medicated water in all the time and changing it daily would still result in the birds being forced to drink medicated water and getting an accurate dose without risking further dehydration. As for the medication being light-sensitive, it is more a matter of avoiding direct sunlight on the water, so any sort of shade cover above the water bowl would avoid this problem.
Re: White Eared Mask finches fluffed up
Posted: 28 Mar 2012, 20:37
by Netsurfer
CrimsonChris wrote:Ok so we've been to the vet. took 3 of the 6 in. Poop test ( view) inconclusive. No paraisites so that rules that out. Bit too much water round droppings, mix of good poo's and not so good poo's on the cage paper. They have lost a little weight and are a bit thin on the chest but still active.
Have been given antibiotics...Psittavet. Its the dosage means that concerns me.
I'm told to make up in the evening/afternoon and leave till mid morning. Then remove treated water and all access to water during the day as the antibiotics is light sensitive. This is to reduce the drinking levels and remove some extra water from the poo. If i'm overly concerend about dehidration i could a give a drink at say 1pm for about 15 mins. By removing during the day they will consume more of the fresh batch.
Its very hot in Cairns.Does any one share my concern of no access to water during the heat of the day.
As for the "Poop test", it's not a big deal, anyone can learn to look under the Microscope for cochlosoma, coccidia and other parasites or their eggs, there are lots of good manuals with photos, I bought one from Queensland Finch Society many years ago. There is another published by Dr. Danny Brown which I haven't been able to get my hands on, if anyone knows where I can find a copy please let us know!