Common Finch Diseases
Spotting a sick finch is most of the times an easy task, especially
if you know what signs to look for. Most sick finches will become very
docile and not move at all, they will stay clear of other birds and
their activities and almost lose total interest in their surroundings.
Food intake will drop and the bird unless treated may not fully
recover.
Signs to look for may include: Head facing back, no longer
sitting upright, tail and wings drooping very low, puffed up feathers,
partially open eyes, fatigued and squatting on floor.
First steps for sickly birds:
- Catch it and remove it from its current environment. (Do Not delay on this, it may already be a little too late)
- A sick bird should be placed in its own cage and if possible one with a heat lamp. this is known as a quarantine cage. Having a quarantine cage will ensure you offer correct care for the bird without interference form other birds. It will also ensure you don't spread the potential disease.
- Food and Water. Ensure you have sufficient food and water in your quarantine cage. Offer the normal seed mix but also add a smaller dish with mealworms or maggots. this softer food may assist in recovery.
- If in a cold environment ensure a heat lamp is available. Besides the obvious heating benefits, the light itself will assist in production of antibodies.
- Once settled in the quarantine cage, begin your research to identify the problem or disease. Only then administer the correct medicine.
A list of common disorders:
- Colds
- Egg Binding
- Coccidiosis
- Parasitical worms
- Scaly face
- Air sac mites
- Fractures
- Overgrown Nails
- Lack of feathers
Symptoms: The birds is lethargic and has puffed up feathers. Careful observations shows that it sleeps a lot. Diarrhea is present.
Cause: Can be caused from fluctuation in temperatures, damp
environments, constant drafts. All of these are drivers towards lowering
the birds general resistance thus causing it to get sick.
Treatment: Move the bird to quarantine. Ensure food and
water is provided. However the birds will require antibiotics.
(Terramycin for example will assist in recovery) You will need to
consult your local veterinarian. Broad spectrum antibiotics are
available off the shelf at local pet stores however this may not be the
right action to take. Adding a probiotic to the water will in getting
the good bacteria back in its gut.
Symptoms:
if you find your female finch and yes only female finches will get
this problem she will most likely be on the floor of the cage or aviary.
You will immediately notice sign so of struggle or discomfort. Her
feather may also be raised as she is trying to push out the stuck egg.
If she does not pass the egg, she will die.
Cause:
Egg binding is quite common in colder weather. lack of calcium and oils
in their diet will also cause egg binding so it is important that you
spot this one sooner than later.
Treatment: There
is not much you can do to assist a bird that is already suffering from
this problem. DO not try and force the egg out for attempt in anyway to
remove it yourself. the best thing you can do it move the bird to a
quarantine cage and closely monitor its activity. Add cod liver oil to
the birds diet. this can be done by mixing a few drops of cod liver oil
with the seed. Also ensure calcium is added to the diet. This can be
provided thorough cuttle bone, grit and eggshells.
Symptoms: The
bird will have a wet vent and diarrhoea. It will be fluffed up and
although has some energy when approached will sleep a lot.
Cause: Coccidiosis
is a parasite that is found in the intestinal lining of birds. It is
easily transmitted to other birds through interaction. Unless treated
correctly you will start to notice more and more of your birds
developing the same symptoms.
Treatment: After
exact diagnosis of coccidiosis a correct course of
Sulphadim/Sulfonamide is required. Sulfonamide antibiotic for the
treatment of Coccidiosis, Enteritis, susceptible bacterial infections,
and diarrhoea in ornamental caged birds. When administering ensure the
cage is cleaned daily to prevent re-infestation. This broad spectrum
antibiotic is normally administered through the drinking water. Use only
with glass or plastic drinking containers.
Symptoms: Spotting worms is easy. they will be present in
the finches droppings, mouth and sometimes present in the water dishes.
There are many types of worms that effect finches. Tapeworm,
Threadworm, Caecal worm, Roundworm, Gape worm and Gizzard worm. The
finch will eventually get very weak and will die unless properly teated.
Causes: Worm s are picked up from finches eating live foods,
droppings and from parents feeding their young. open cage aviaries can
also get infections from outside bird droppings falling into the cage.
Treatment: Routine worm management plans are probably the
best way to prevent and infections and subsequent loss of your birds. I
use a Broad spectrum all wormer containing Praziquantel and Levamisole
that covers all the type of worms that effect finches. Dosage and
directions will vary according to product.
Symptoms: Knemidocoptes
jamaiscensis is the form of scaly face that effects finches. Scaly face
is when the mites burrow into the feathers and lay there eggs. It will
continue to worsen as the eggs hatch and the mites grow. A scaly like
film will develop over the skin, it can also effect the eye and if not
treated may permanently effect the bird. Scaly leg mites is also a known
disease. These mites affect birds leg by laying eggs in the skin.
The damage is considerable and if not treated can become fatal.
Causes: Caused by the infection of mites. Transmission is normally occurred through feeding between the parents and young. Transmission between adult birds is known but not always the main source for transmission.
Treatment: In mild cases of bur
rowing mites, the treatment of the bird with paraffin (also known as paraffin oil and generally available in pharmacies)
Symptoms: Found commonly in Gouldians and Canaries air sac mite can be a very fatal disease. Scinetifcally known as Sternostoma tracheacolum this mite infects the respiratory system of the bird.
Causes: Transmission is caused by feeding cycles (Parents to
young and during courtship) Common symptoms will include a cough, loss
of voice and distinctive yet not normal chirp. All related to breathing
air sac mite can go by undetected.
Treatment: Proper treatment involves using and insecticide
to fully eradicate the mite. The average life cycle of the mite from egg
to maturity is 6 days. Treatment with a spray containing ivermectin
will remove the mite. Ensure you treat all birds and not just the
infected.
Symptoms: Physical signs of injury, such as dragging wing, preference to perching on one leg. Leg hanging loosely.
Causes: Its never a great sight but this occurs from night scares, flying against the cage or aviary.
Treatment: There is not much you can do but rather try and
get the bird off to a veterinarian if possible. Depending on the break
the birds leg may able to be repaired. A splintmay be applied alowing
the leg to rest and realign itself. Full repair can take anywhere
between 1 to 2 weeks.
Symptoms: Without proper perching materials claws/nails will
not naturally wear and will become overgrown. Overgrown nails will
prevent the bird from being able to perch. They could also get stuck and
bound in nesting materials and can die from being hung upside down.
Causes: Poor variety in perches. No natural wearing of nails.
Treatment: Cut the claws with sharp scissors. Pay attention
not to injure the blood vessels. (The dark areas of the nails) To
prevent further issues with overgrown nails provide a variety of thick
and thin branches in the aviary or cage. This will assist in natural
wearing of nails.
Symptoms: Lack of feather in the head and neck of the bird.
Causes: lack of natural sunlight.
Treatment: Place the cage near a window for regular intervals allowing natural light into the cage.
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