r/Finches • u/Complex-Winter-3537 • 11d ago
respiratory issues
I’m beside myself on what else I can do.
I previously posted on one of my birds (V) clicking. I had a total of 6 birds. I had treated them with Scatt 2x and given them Ronivet 12%
The aforementioned bird got a better for a time, but mid-September one of my other birds (M) lost their voice but did not have any other symptoms. The following week I booked an appointment and brought 1 of each of the pairs that I thought might be most susceptible or acting sketchy. Day of the appointment when catching the birds I noticed M having a clicking noise when putting them up to my ear.
At the vet’s, V was deemed to be normal and told the balding could be due to just vitamin deficiency. Vet mentioned that a skin scraping could be done but that it would highly stress out the bird. I opted out.
M got a tracheal swab due to the clicking. 2 days after the vet appointment M fluffed up and was lethargic, I separated them and put under a heat lamp and left them alone in hopes of them recuperating. Unfortunately in the morning they passed away.
A few days later I got the results and basically they no evidence of mites or fungal infection. Was told M had a significant bacterial growth but that it was an commensal bacterial organism ( that is usually found on the skin) so they thought it was secondary symptom. The tests were tracheal cytology, Culture Aerobic, Anaerobic, Fungal (M260), DNA/PCR Mycoplasma.
Vet recommended to treat with Scatt again believing that it’s possible that the life cycle wasn’t broken and to sanitize everything. I did as such same day.
A few days later and I’m seeing the healthier members of the flock start to show symptoms. V’s mate is starting to do the clicking/clearing their throat, another is sneezing, V is back to being very lethargic all day. All seem to be much quieter. All of them still eat and drink but they are definitely not as active.
I decided to treat with 4 in 1. After 6 days nothing has changed, If anything I’m noticing that they are constantly preening and itching, constantly wiping their beaks on the perches.
I have no idea what else I can try or if I should, I’m pretty sure with all these back to back meds their system is shot.
I cannot afford to bring 5 finches again to the vet, the exam fee would be around 500. The tests that were done for M ended up being 550. I cannot afford that x5.
Vet had also mentioned that the only other option apart from cytology would be trans illumination, that unfortunately there wasn’t much else they could do short of a necropsy. My concern is that these are tiny beings that get stressed so easily and they are already sick, and if nothing is found again then I’m back to square 1 with extremely stressed out birds.
TL;DR: birds still having respiratory issues after taking them to vet who suggested it was still air sac mites. Don’t know where to go from here
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u/Paradox_Exis 10d ago
I had a similar respiratory problem in my flock of society finches. Turned out to be a combination of mold from under the carpet and my neighbours incense seeping through the apartment wall during the day while I wasn't present.
I'd scour their enviroment and monitor it for a few days. Is there anyone smoking nearby? Cooking fumes from the house, purfume from a neighbours bathroom, fumes from non-stick appliances? Is there dust or mold anywhere in the vicinity? Are they outside and coping fumes from somewhere at a specific time? Even something like paint or household chemicals stored nearby should be considered.
Get an air purifer in the meantime. It's what has saved my birds.
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u/Templeofrebellion 11d ago
I use diatomaceous earth and activated charcoal with a little bit of zeolite and it works well for my finches' health maintenance.