Health

Dear Dr. Rob. About 2 weeks ago my Gouldian Finch started having this drunken look and a few days later she started having these attacks (Twirling around, falling on her back and crazy flapping of wings), which I found on the internet was a syndrome called twirling. I tried using Nystatin, without any results. I'm now using SMZ liquid (Trimethoprim Sulfa).

Hi Dr. Rob. I have number of birds I keep as pets but this is my first pair of Gouldian finches. So this makes me very new at this. I have had them for only two weeks. When I purchased them I felt they were both in good health. Then I noticed about a week ago that one of them was sleeping more than the other, fluffed up, but still eating well.

HELLO DR. ROB, MY BLUE THROATED MACAW HAS A LEAKY NASAL DISCHARGE? IS THAT A COLD OR WHAT KIND OF INFECTION IS IT? PLEASE REPLY ASAP. THANKS JOE

Dr Rob There was some discussion on another forum that concluded with some questions which no-one seemed qualified to answer. Someone suggested that the addition of a small amount of Listerine to our finch’s bird bath would kill mites and lice on the birds. They also suggested that misting birds with the same concoction would be beneficial.

My female Lady Gould finch, had an eye closed shut, with secretion, even under the beak. I removed the yellow stuff and cleaned with S76. Do you have any recommendations, in how to cure it. What kind of disease could it be? Please Help. Sincerely Manny B.

Hi Dr. Rob, I've had a pair of Gouldians for 6 months who started getting sick about 4 months ago. Symptoms are: clicking, sneezing, extending their neck as if to clear their throat, and fluffing up. They have been treated as follows: Ivermectin shot (the male only, because at the time he was the only one sick), and Vetesulid in their drinking water.

Good day Dr Rob, First of all I would like to congrat you on your new book. I ordered it through Laraine and I received in Ottawa, Canada in exactly 2 wks. My question is what can I tell my brother-in-law about the problem he has with his Gouldians. Some of his birds are growing blister like patches on the pad of their feet. He sanded all perches and disinfected them also.

Dr Rob, I have been breeding gouldians in an aviary in my backyard for a couple of years, but I never have a great deal of success. I always lose a few babies and those that fledge cannot fly for several days and are not fully developed when they leave the nest.

I have a long standing problem which has taken 5 birds in a large indoor aviary. I got one bird and foolishly believed it was healthy and put it in the flock. Now I only use quarantine. Anyway, I now have your book.

Aloha Dr. Rob, I have a non moulted juvenile mutation Gould (white body/ yellow/purple chest) that is exhibiting an odd behaviour. He sits on his perch and stares at the sky. When he flies it is rapid and uncoordinated. Difficulty landing, some what like an albatross! He is in a flight aviary with brothers and sisters who are fine. Eats fresh greens, millet, fortified egg food and seed daily.