Sick finch

[novastorm]

Hey guys,
I found one my female finch lying on the bottom of the cage last night. she was all fluffed up and had her head tucked back into her body. Eyes were very puffed up too. I was really worried and didn't know what to do.

Quickly did a search on the forum, and this link popped up:

viewtopic.php?f=40&t=146&p=568&hilit=si ... +cage#p568

I tried to catch her, but she got a bit startled and couldn't fly up to the higher perches. She seemed very fat! Eventually caught her and quickly took her out of the cage and let her sit in my palms a bit. Then got a small cup of hot water and placed a smooth flat stone on top of it. The stone became warm and then I placed a small towel on top of it and then wrapped her up in some soft kleenex tissues.

Placed her, still wrapped up in the tissue and cloth into a small brown box. She stayed with my in my warmer room last night. She didn't even move...guessed she really liked being all wrapped up in the tissues and cloth. I guess its true about what they say about how soft Kleenex is!

Woke this morning to find that she's doing MUCH better!! not fluffed up anymore, no more puffy eyes and eating well. I'm so glad to have found that link.

Here are some quick snaps of her sick.

sick1.jpg

sick2.jpg

sick3.jpg

sick4.jpg

[toddles044]

congrats with the birds health back when birds get effected with weather or a illness the best thing to do is to warm them up it helps there body to stop worrying about keeping it warm and can concentrate of fighting the illness off well done. thanks toddles

[jusdeb]

Well done nova ...its true what toddles said about keeping them warm , it gives the little bodies one less thing to have to contend with so they can concenrate on getting over what is ailing them.
In my experince with Quarrions often extra heat indoors in a hospital cage is all they need (and lots of cuddles lol my quarrions are very spoilt).

[Page0044]

Congrats Nova, she sounds like a fighter, glad to hear she is on the mend

[gomer]

Fingers crossed Nova.Your finch makes a full recovery.Sounds promising Give it some electrolytes aswell.

[novastorm]

Thanks for the kind words. But I think the real hero here is her fighting spirit!

What do you think is the best/most affordable way to keep the cage warm during these colder nights? The cage is in the living room, so a heater would just dissipate all the hot air around the room making it sorta worthless.
Hot water in a cup only lasts an hour tops.

Any other ideas?

thanks.

[Will_36]

Hi Novastorm, Did you have a look at this topic on hospital cages.
http://www.aussiefinchforum.net/viewtop ... =40&t=1284

40 watt globe in a box will do a good job.

[novastorm]

Thanks for the link, Will. It's a great idea! I might have to go purchase a red infrared bulb.

Which wattage should I get? 40w, 50w, 60w, 75w.

My cage isn't big. probably about 75cm long x 45cm x 45cm.

here's a pic:

cage2.jpg

[Mickp]

unless you want a baked finch 40watt should be as high as you go.
also need to make sure that the bird cannot touch the globe.
as Will mentioned, have a look at this topic viewtopic.php?f=40&t=1284 and try to do the same.
there are a couple of other pictures of hospital cages in that post as well.
In Will's picture he doesnt have the guard over the globe

[Pete Sara]

i use 25 watt globes the party ones(coloured) i find better especially if the cabinet is in side , the globe gives of warmth but doesnt light up the whole house at night...plus my first hospital box was a modified card board box ( shown by an avian vet the cheap way)with a light in it that was seperated by card board as not to burn the bird. ....pete