Health

Dear Dr. Rob, One of my little Gouldians crashed into a wall and is now blind. Is it possible that her sight will return? What should I be doing for her other than making her a small cage she can negotiate around? Thank you.

FOLLOW UP on budgie hen. She laid an egg about 3 hours after I posted about her. She laid another one the next day. She seems to be done and is about back to normal. She is a much loved pet and gets lots of fly time out of her cage. I raised her from a 2 week old chick and at weaning time I introduced her to spray millet and finch seed mix.

Several months ago we treated our female Gouldian finch with a regimen of S76 for Scaley Face Disease. (See our letter to you) Most of the scabby material fell off her beak after a month or so, so we think the treatment was successful, but some of the material is still on her beak. We did another regimen of S76 just to make sure, but it didn't make any difference.

I have a 2 year old budgie hen. Today she is a bit fluffed and her droppings are huge but mostly formed, light green in color, clear watery stuff around the formed part. She is also displaying a bit of labored breathing with some tail dipping. I have been giving her dried birdy greens. I also have been giving her some bird Herb Salad that I got from Ladygouldian.com.

Dr. Rob. Thanks of the info but I’m sorry to say I do not know what Aspergillosis or what a Strep infection are in birds. Could you give me a brief description of the two and how birds get these conditions. And are they both contagious? Thanks for your time.

I have a male budgie, Kirby, who is now going on 5-years-old. He has become listless and fluffed up. It seemed to happen overnight. He eats a regular budgie seed mix, lots of greens and some bread crust at times. He also has water-soluble vitamins in his drinking tube. What could I be doing wrong? Why is his health failing so fast?

Hello Dr. Rob, Thank you for your prompt reply. There's not a bird vet anywhere near me, but I'll try to find one in my state. My budgie is going on 6 years old, not 5, my mistake. And yes, I do let him out of his cage, but he's always with me. I think it's an iodine deficiency. He shows the symptoms of thyroid disease or whatever it's called. Also, I have a ringed turtledove.

Rob, I recently obtained a pair of star finches. They have started breeding already but the male has developed a problem. He used to sing stridently and melodiously however more recently he has developed a cough/sneeze and now when he tries to sing no sound comes from his beak.

Hello Dr. Rob, I appreciate your time. I have two gouldians that died this week. One appeared to have 'gone light', the other had no signs of illness or weight loss. Upon examining my other Goulds, I noticed yellowish large droppings. I have had the birds recently treated (preventative maintenance) with Scatt and then Wormout Gel, followed by regular water.

Dr. Rob, I have four young Lady Gouldian finches. (not for breeding, just enjoyment) My male silver is about 4 months old. Ever since I got him, he has the peculiar habit of picking at his vent -- and at one time actually caused bleeding. (several drops !!). I follow your web site and have ordered several products. (I started your Moult Programme about two weeks ago and they are doing well).