Zebra finch suddenly died

[kanth]

My zebra finch died today. He was taking a nap and didn't wake up. I don't know what happened, I'm new to finches but I thought I was taking good care of him. He had a friend, a male society finch, they got along really well. I looked the finch over and he seems to have had some sort of skin irritation on parts of his chest. A little on the thin side but he was very active, he ate plenty. No sneezing, wheezing, odd behavior, he was acting completely normal. Should I be worried about my other finch? My parrots are in the same room he lived in, should I be worried about them?

 

[greys4u]

If you have a vet I would call and explain the situation and see what they suggest

 

[kanth]

If you have a vet I would call and explain the situation and see what they suggest

I called 2 vets but they both close early on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays

 

[greys4u]

Is there an emergency vet you could call?

 

[kanth]

Is there an emergency vet you could call?

Yes I called and the doctor said to refrigerate him until I can get a necropsy which I did. But no opinion on what happened or if it was contagious

 

[TikiMyn]

I am sorry for your loss.
Could you catch the society finch and check if he has the same irritation?(Don't know a lot about finches, if you think that is too stressfull then don't of course )No idea what could have happened, I think you have done all you can at the moment
@finchly @Clairecanary15 @Serin

 

[greys4u]

Good you called the vet, proud of you

 

[kanth]

I am sorry for your loss.
Could you catch the society finch and check if he has the same irritation?(Don't know a lot about finches, if you think that is too stressfull then don't of course )No idea what could have happened, I think you have done all you can at the moment
@finchly @Clairecanary15 @Serin

I caught him and tried to see but I couldn't tell. He kept squirming around. I didn't see anything but the zebra finchs irritations/redness was small patches not his entire chest so I could've easily missed it on the society finch

 

[kanth]

Good you called the vet, proud of you

Thank you

 

[iamwhoiam]

So sorry for your loss. Good that you contacted the vet. Continue to monitor your other birds closely. You could always have a necropsy done on the finch although sometimes that is inconclusive.

 

[finchly]

Do the necropsy - all your other birds could have whatever it is. Which could bel nothing, but could be important.

Also: don’t handle one bird after another without washing your hands, don’t mix up their food or water dishes, and if you clean cages with a rag switch to paper towels and toss them between cages.

Hopefully it isn’t contagious but you never know.

 

[finchly]

The bird that died, did his keel bone feel sharp?

 

[kanth]

Do the necropsy - all your other birds could have whatever it is. Which could bel nothing, but could be important.

Also: don’t handle one bird after another without washing your hands, don’t mix up their food or water dishes, and if you clean cages with a rag switch to paper towels and toss them between cages.

Hopefully it isn’t contagious but you never know.

I'm getting a necropsy when I can call the vet Monday. I use paper towels, but if he had something contagious I think at least some of my other birds would have it too. My roommate has a great dane so all my birds are in the same room, except a new bird in quarantine. I've always used paper towels but I've probably accidentally switched bowls at some point. 9 of my 13 birds bowls are identical, and their diets are similar, I wouldn't do it on purpose but its well within the realm of possibility.

 

[kanth]

So sorry for your loss. Good that you contacted the vet. Continue to monitor your other birds closely. You could always have a necropsy done on the finch although sometimes that is inconclusive.

Thank you. They are all acting normal so far. I'm getting a necropsy Monday when the vet clinics open.

 

[kanth]

The bird that died, did his keel bone feel sharp?

He was a little on the lean side but not underweight. I let him out of the cage to fly every couple days so he got lots of exercise. He ate plenty

 

[finchly]

I'm getting a necropsy when I can call the vet Monday. I use paper towels, but if he had something contagious I think at least some of my other birds would have it too. My roommate has a great dane so all my birds are in the same room, except a new bird in quarantine. I've always used paper towels but I've probably accidentally switched bowls at some point. 9 of my 13 birds bowls are identical, and their diets are similar, I wouldn't do it on purpose but its well within the realm of possibility.

I know what you mean. I have 10 cages, I try to be careful but things happen sometimes!

 

[kanth]

I’ve been thinking about anything I’ve changed with the finches and a few days ago I gave them nesting material. The zebra finch loved it and made a nest but the society finch never touched it, just napped on the nest when the zebra finch was finished. Am I just overthinking this

 

[finchly]

Probably!

Wait and see what the vet says. We all overthink it!

 

[sheeluhwhet]

I'm so sorry for your loss, it sounds like you took good care of your lil finch. I hope it's nothing contageous!

How are your other birds doing right now?

I wish I knew about finches, I'm keeping a look out for your future updates.

 

[kanth]

I'm so sorry for your loss, it sounds like you took good care of your lil finch. I hope it's nothing contageous!

How are your other birds doing right now?

I wish I knew about finches, I'm keeping a look out for your future updates.

Thank you!
The society finch he lived with is ok. He is singing a lot more but I think that's just because hes suddenly alone. All my parrots are acting normal