Aussie Finch Forum

a lady i was speaking to on facebook needs help with a sick gouldian,

she doesn't have a car, or much money to pay for meds etc, her hen is puffed up and sleeping a lot, she did hear a faint clicking noise when she put the hen up to her ear, she went out to the petshop and came home with lice and mite spray( doesn't know what she is doing) so im trying to help her out by finding someone near by that can educate her a bit and maybe help with getting her a hospital cage or lamp etc.

i told her to join the qfs or buy or borrow some books on gouldians,

it frustrates me to hear someone that purchased some finches, and they don't know how to care for them, or the fact they say they cant afford to look after them( if thats the case then dont buy pets!)

so if anyone is near waterford and may assist, let me know and i can pass on contact details,

cheers

misso

I'm not really out that way but I can recognise Air Sac Mite infestations which would be my bet given the symptoms. I've no idea what medication she purchased but it sounds like her pet-store was heading in the right direction. If she has access to t strong light source she will be able to see the mites through the skin covering the trachea. Even before she starts treatment, because it's been a little cool overnight lately so I think she needs to keep the bird warm during the treatment period. Ideally she should treat with S76 ivermectin or moxidectin according to the instructions on the package but many of the sprays are pyrethroids and may not be as effective. If her bird was in with otters then all the birds should be treated too. If she wants she can contact me by email <[email protected]>

GregH wrote:If her birds was in with otters then all the birds should be treated too

Now THAT would be an interesting mixed collection!!

Well Myzo I did mean others rather than otters. Otters and birds aren't naturally good cage companions as you can imagine. I'm pretty sure they would eat finches but raptors aren't going to take that lying down!

Bald eagle eating an otter http://yourmedia.kitsapsun.com/MediaIte ... id=1385133" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I've always loved Otters. So if she decides the Otters are not compatible with the Gouldians I'm happy to find a nice dam for them well away from the local eagles!