COMMON AILMENTS IN FINCHES... and how to prevent them

When you suspect your finch is ill:

Signs of a sick finch may include: refusal to sit upright (squatting on perch like a pigeon), tail or wings dropping, puffed up feathers, squinting, sitting on the cage floor, wet vent, irregular droppings or refusal to eat. Ailments birds can fall into four categories: Congenital defects from genetics; developmental problems as a result of injury, poor husbandry, malnutrition or improper incubation; Infectious disease curtesy of viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites; and trauma, like fractures or leasions. Birds are great 'actors' and will not show weakness or signs of distress until it is too late. If you notice illness, take the immediate steps below:

Immediate action:

Remove the bird and place in a quarantine cage with extra heat and humidity to prevent the spread of the disease, and allows the bird some peace and quiet. Heat should be provided by a UV heat lamp, this provides extra antibodies and valuable nutrients.
Supply water with a vitamin supplement/pro-biotic and re-hydration liquid (1/3 strength), as many times they are weak and will eat and drink less. Offer extra egg food, as the proteins will help in recovery.
Make a note of specific symptoms, including the feces color and shape.
Determine the cause and treat accordingly

* If you notice any signs of illness, contact your veterinarian. Weakness, labored breathing, collapse, seizures, or other nervous system signs are especially serious, should be considered emergencies, and need immediate attention.

Common disorders:

Aspergillosis
Air sac mites/Mites
Beak flaking/cracking
Conjunctavitis
Coccidiosis
Cuts and Scraps
Egg Binding
General unwell, from virus or bacteria
Malnutrition
Lack of feathers
Parasitical worms
Scaly face

For Neonates, see this page

Alphabetical Ailments

ASPERGILLOSIS:

Symptoms: gasping, wheezing, coughing or a change in voice for vocal birds.

Causes: fungal infection caused by mold.

Treatment: Good husbandry and antifungal such as itraconazole .

AIR SAC MITES:

ASPERGILLOSIS:

Symptoms: gaping mouth, cough and loss of voice. Air sac mites infect the respiratory system transferrable during breeding cycles.

Treatment: Insecticide containing ivermectin will eradicate the mite. Ensure you treat all birds and not just the infected.

BEAK FLAKING:

ASPERGILLOSIS:

BEAK FLAKING:

Symptoms: Beak looks as if it is flaking, pale or cracked

Causes: Vitamin A deficiency/ Malnutrition

Treatment: Follow Advanced Nutrition

COCCIDIOSIS:

CUTS AND SCRATCHES:

BEAK FLAKING:

Symptoms: Wet vent (rectum) and diarrhea, lethargy

Cause: Parasite found in the intestinal lining easily transmitted to other birds through interaction and feces.

Treatment: There needs to be a diagnosis for this usually through a fecal slide. Sulfonamide is the preferable antibiotic for the treatment of Coccidiosis in water. When administering ensure the cage is cleaned daily with a product like F10 to prevent re-infestation.

CONJUNCTIVITIS:

CUTS AND SCRATCHES:

Symptoms: swollen, irritated, reddened and/or crusty eyes.

Causes: Injury to the eye, Bacteria including Mycoplasma or Chlamydia , Virus or Fungi.

Treatment: Antibiotic like Tetratex, and probioticsto prevent yeast infection.

CUTS AND SCRATCHES:

Symptom: lesion which breaks the skin.

Cause: Numerous causes, usually aggression related.

Treatment: Assess the severity, and then apply antibiotic such as Terramycin.

EGG BINDING:

GENERAL VIRAL/BACTERIAL:

Symptoms: Female finches will show sign of discomfort on the bottom of the cage. If the egg does not pass, she will die.

Cause: Lack of calcium and beneficial fats. To absorb calcium, they must also have viable amount of vitamin D through natural sunlight.

Treatment: Give the bird a dose of Cod liver oil, a calcium supplement in the water, and a shallow warm bath. Placing coconut oil near the rectum may also help with lubrication.

GENERAL VIRAL/BACTERIAL:

Symptoms: Lethargic, puffed up feathers with diarrhea that may be a green color.

Cause: Fluctuation in temperatures, damp environments, constant drafts, viruses or exposure to bacteria (spoiled food).

Treatment: Broad spectrum antibiotics are available off the shelf at local pet stores are often a good idea after correcting the cause of the illness.

MALNUTRITION:

GENERAL VIRAL/BACTERIAL:

MISSING FEATHERS:

Number 1 cause of illness.

Symptoms: generally unwell, especially lethargic and may cause feather loss or flaking beak. Leaves bird more susceptible to other disorders.

Causes: Insufficient nutrients or calories. Correct immediately.

Treatment: Follow the protocol

MISSING FEATHERS:

MITES- SCALY FACE OR LEGS:

MISSING FEATHERS:

Symptoms: Lack of feathers

Causes: Lack of feathers on head and neck are most likely the cause of lack of Vitamin D through sunlight. Feather loss on the remainder of the body is often attributed to bird aggression, protozoal infection, molting or malnutrition.

Treatment: Follow steps for Advanced Nutrition if it is malnutrition or molting. Observe the cage for aggression and other symptoms such as diarrhea and separate birds if necessary.

PARASITIC WORMS:

MITES- SCALY FACE OR LEGS:

Symptoms: Worms will be present in the finches droppings and mouth. Type of worms include: Tapeworm, Threadworm, Caecal worm, Roundworm, Gape worm and Gizzard worm.

Causes: Exposed from another bird most commonly through direct contact of feces.

Treatment: A Broad spectrum all wormer containing Praziquantel and Levamisole.

MITES- SCALY FACE OR LEGS:

Symptoms: Scaly like film over the skin from borrowing mites, can become fatal.

Causes: Transmission normally occurs through breeding cycles.

Treatment: In mild cases, the treatment of the bird with paraffin (also known as paraffin oil) or Aristopet Scaly face and leg treatment

COMMON AILMENTS IN FINCHES... and how to prevent them

When you suspect your finch is ill:

Common disorders:

Alphabetical Ailments

ASPERGILLOSIS:

ASPERGILLOSIS:

ASPERGILLOSIS:

AIR SAC MITES:

ASPERGILLOSIS:

ASPERGILLOSIS:

BEAK FLAKING:

ASPERGILLOSIS:

BEAK FLAKING:

COCCIDIOSIS:

CUTS AND SCRATCHES:

BEAK FLAKING:

CONJUNCTIVITIS:

CUTS AND SCRATCHES:

CUTS AND SCRATCHES:

CUTS AND SCRATCHES:

CUTS AND SCRATCHES:

CUTS AND SCRATCHES:

EGG BINDING:

GENERAL VIRAL/BACTERIAL:

GENERAL VIRAL/BACTERIAL:

GENERAL VIRAL/BACTERIAL:

GENERAL VIRAL/BACTERIAL:

GENERAL VIRAL/BACTERIAL:

MALNUTRITION:

GENERAL VIRAL/BACTERIAL:

MISSING FEATHERS:

MISSING FEATHERS:

MITES- SCALY FACE OR LEGS:

MISSING FEATHERS:

PARASITIC WORMS:

MITES- SCALY FACE OR LEGS:

MITES- SCALY FACE OR LEGS:

MITES- SCALY FACE OR LEGS:

MITES- SCALY FACE OR LEGS:

MITES- SCALY FACE OR LEGS:

TYPES OF INFECTION

Bacterial Infection

Bacterial Infection

Bacterial Infection

Protozoal Infection

Bacterial Infection

Bacterial Infection

Herbal Tonic- Self Medication for Birds

Prevent Illness