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My European finch is on the bottom of the cage, with her ...

Sent to Pet Experts June 22 2007 at 3:24 PM
   

My European finch is on the bottom of the cage, with her head in her back shaking. I know this means she is sick. I examined her and found a growth by her lower back near her tail feathers. She also has a small patch of hair (feathers ) missing from her face. What should I do for her? What could be wrong?

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on June 23 2007 at 5:14 AM

 

Optional Information:
Age: <1; Female; Breed: European finch

Already Tried:
nothing/p>

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $15
Info Request
June 23 2007 at 1:53 PM (22 hours and 28 minutes and 40 seconds later)
         
REPLIED to Info RequestCheck Mark
Hello. Is this "growth" something visible or is it more like a lump or swelling? Is it near, and probably just in front of her vent? Any kind of mucus like discharge from her vent? Do you know it's a female for sure? How many months old is she? What kind of diet has she been on? Thanks, Patricia

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Patricia -- Parrot Consultant -- 100% Positive Feedback on 1537 Pet Accepts
Published author, free lance bird behaviorist, adviser to the parrots at Sarasota Jungle Gardens.
Reply
June 24 2007 at 1:47 PM (23 hours and 54 minutes and 13 seconds later)
         
Reply to Patricia's Post: Hi
I am guessing it is a female. My kids said the man in the store told us it was a boy. The lump is in its back right where the tail feathers start.   It is almost like a boil it has a dot of white in the middle like a pimple. After two days of the red heat lamp she is looking and breathing better. Now she is on her perch eating her seed. I feed my finches Kaytee Fortified Egg rich food.
I have had the bird since January and she has been doing well. I hope this helps.
Thanks,
Linda
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 24 2007 at 2:12 PM (24 minutes and 40 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

Okay Linda thanks for the extra information. Since this is on top of her back, rather than underneath, the first thing I would suspect would be an infection or a disease of the Uropygial gland, commonly called the preen gland. It's where the oils are stored for the preening of the feathers. I'm sure you've seen birds appear to rub their beaks and cheeks on that spot, then do their preening chores. Those glands can get stopped up, infected or have other difficulties. It may be that the heat from the lamp has helped to ease the discomfort but I'd strongly suggest you have a proper Avian vet take a look. If there is a problem there, and if it goes untreated, it can get so bad the entire gland could end up needing to be removed. Here is a link that will give you a lot of good, indepth information about this. Click here: Diseases of the Uropygial Gland In case you don't already have a good vet located, I'll give you some links to help with that. I'm also going to suggest you expand on her diet. In addition to proper Finch diet, she also needs some vegetables and other things like cooked rice, well cooked beans and more. Here is a link that should help with that. Click here: Nutrition - Finch Diet - General In summary, keep a very close eye on it and if there is not improvement by tomorrow, I would get her in for that checkup. I hope this helps but if you have any more questions, just let me know. Patricia

Click here: Find your local Avian Veterinarian

Click here: Avian Veterinarians Recommended by Bird Breeders and Owners http://www.birdsnways.com/articles/abvpvets.htm

Click here: World Wide Avian Vet Listing

Click here: BirdsnWays - Avian Veterinarians - Vets - Vet Services for Pet Parrots & Exotic Birds

This one looks like an advertisement for Harrison pellets but they are only sold by vets so it's another good list to check. Click here: Harrison's Bird Foods is a family of certified organic pet bird diets that were formulated to make your bird as he



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Patricia -- Parrot Consultant -- 100% Positive Feedback on 1537 Pet Accepts
Published author, free lance bird behaviorist, adviser to the parrots at Sarasota Jungle Gardens.
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June 24 2007 at 3:10 PM (58 minutes and 19 seconds later)
         
Reply to Patricia's Post: Patricia,
Thank you for the info. I hope she makes it. Right now she is sleeping in my hand. As for the vet. the last time I took one of my finches to the vet it cost me $250. and the poor thing died the next morning from shock.
I just don't want her to suffer.
Thanks,
Linda
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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