Oh my.... I have not been on in awhile. I have a long list of diseases, you can check the website, here is a copy/paste:
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:
Symptoms: Air sac mites infect the respiratory system. It can be a fatal but is most commonly found in Gouldians.
Causes: Transmission is caused by breeding cycles (parents to young and during courtship). Symptoms may include a gaping mouth, cough and loss of voice.
Treatment: Insecticide containing ivermectin will eradicate the mite. Ensure you treat all birds and not just the infected.
MITES:
Mites and lice on the surface can be treated with
AvianInsectLiquidator
Or Ivermectin
BEAK FLAKING:
Symptoms: Beak looks as if it is flaking, pale or cracked
Causes: Vitamin A deficiency/ Malnutrition
COCCIDIOSIS:
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.
CUTS AND SCRATCHES- can lead to infection:
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:
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 UNWELL- 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:
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:
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: Observe the cage for aggression and other symptoms such as diarrhea and separate birds if necessary.
PARASITIC WORMS:
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.
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
CONJUNCTIVITIS:
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.
