Lady Gouldian Finches | Issues | Bacterial Infections

Meadowlark Farms

Lady Gouldian Finches - Bacterial Infections

ORNITHOSIS/PSITTACOSIS

STREPTOCOCCUS/STAPYLOCOCCUS

E-COLI

SALMONELLA

Many of these diseases have very similar causes and symptoms. Treating with the wrong
medication can complicate matters, or even make things worse! If you suspect your bird
may be ill with one of these diseases, contact your Avian Veterinarian for verification before
administering any medication! Do not use any medication discussed here without first
having your bird(s) checked by your Vet! The results could be deadly!

This is a serious disease that affects many bird species, including Gouldian finches. It is caused by Chlamydia, an
intracellular disease, that without special precautions can be spread to humans through contact with infected feces and bodily
fluids. It spreads easily throughout the flock, especially when cages and accessories are not kept clean or when over
crowded (poor animal husbandry practices). When birds pick at food and bedding on the bottom of the cage they sometimes
pick up bits of feces, ingesting it and becoming ill with the disease. Keeping cages clean and with a minimal number of birds
per cage can keep the chances of getting and spreading this disease low, but once it is in the aviary it cannot be cured.
Once your bird or birds are diagnosed with ornithosis, they will be considered carriers for the remainder of their lives and
should not be paired or bred.

Due to weak genes produced in mutation colored Goulds, Gouldian finches of mutation colors are more susceptible to
Ornithosis than the normal varieties.

Symptoms can vary making it often hard to diagnose without the aid of an Avian Veterinarian. Droppings may be watery and
usually greenish. Birds may sit fluffed, sneeze a lot or scratch at their faces. They may also have a runny nose. They may sit
fluffed up and motionless with their head tucked and even a leg tucked up. Eye infections are usually caused by ornithosis.
Birds may sit with eyes at "half mast" as if they are sleepy. Poor breeding results may also be an indicator of this disease. If
you are finding your birds won't come into breeding condition, you are finding clear eggs in the nest, or they fall out of
condition soon after courting begins, have your birds tested by an Avian Vet.

If the disease has progressed long enough, the bird may begin having trouble standing. This usually only happens when the
bird is near death.

The usual treatment for this disease is a tetracycline type antibiotic. Doxycycline or Chlortetracycline are usually prescribed.

Again, Strep and/or Staph are often the result of poor animal husbandry practices. Symptoms closely resemble those of Ornithosis. Because the
treatments for Strep/Staph is different than that of Ornithosis, it is important to have your bird(s) tested by an Avian veterinarian before medicating.

Penicillin type antibiotics are usually prescribed for this type of infection.

E-coli is a rod-shaped bacteria that skitters across your view under the microscope.
It can cause diarrhea and general listlessness. It can also kill your bird.

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