Sick zebra finch

**Lundi** · 04-25-2012, 03:14 AM

Hi. My female zebra finch is currently unwell. I'm phoning the vet this afternoon, but I just want a bit more information before I go.

Yesterday she was completely fine. She was zipping about like she usually does, but this morning I noticed she was sitting in the feed bowls. I thought that she was getting broody, but when I moved her to clean out and give them fresh food she went straight to the floor, then after she flew up and fell head first into the other feed bowl and didn't seem to want to move. So I've moved her into a small cage and put her in a seperate room where it's quieter and away from the other birds.

I think the thing that confirmed to me that she wasn't well was the fact that I could pick her up in my hand and she'd just tuck her head in to sleep.

<a href="http://s750.photobucket.com/albums/xx146/a_puffin/?action=view&current=50de6d0a.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx146/a_puffin/50de6d0a.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

I was wondering If anyone could tell me what I can do with her until I get to see the vet. So far she has her normal food and some water in her cage, I also put a clean folded up face cloth on the bottom of the cage for her to rest on.

**Lundi** · 04-25-2012, 03:16 AM

Sorry wrong HTML.

**Andrej** · 04-25-2012, 03:42 AM

Keep her warm!

**Lundi** · 04-25-2012, 03:47 AM

Thanks. Should I do this by covering part of the cage?

**Lundi** · 04-25-2012, 04:30 AM

I just got back from a doctors appointment and found her lying dead at the bottom of the cage. I'm really upset, I don't know what could have happened.

I'm going to book the male in for an appointment, I don't want to lose him as well. I feel really bad for him. Will he be ok on his own or should I get another female.

This'll teach me for buying birds from petshops.

**boomer girl** · 04-25-2012, 01:00 PM

I am so sorry that you found her that way

Must be just heartbreaking that you couldnt get her to the vet in time but it does sound like no matter what you did she was was one sick little bird. Sending big hugs your way and truly I am sorry for your loss

**Marrie** · 04-25-2012, 02:41 PM

I am sorry you lost her. If possible, taking the female in for a necropsy would help the vet determine if your male needs treated for anything (if she died of something contagious). Hope your other bird is fine.

**Lundi** · 04-26-2012, 10:47 AM

Thanks. I'm taking the male to the vet next week (the closest appointment I could get).

I had thought about taking her for a necropsy but I don't have any transport at the moment and the nearest avian vet is quite far away.

It's frustrating.

**maxollie** · 05-01-2012, 10:00 AM

I'm sorry for my late posting, I just picked up this thread. I'm so sorry for the loss of your little Zebra. I hope the male is o.k.

**Lundi** · 05-08-2012, 03:03 AM

Thanks for your support.

The male seems to be perfectly fine, the vet thinks that maybe the female had some sort of chronic illness because there was nothing obvious to her what could have caused it and it really can't be explained without the necropsy. The vet also said to wait another 2-3 weeks til I get another female just in case something happens to the male.

When I get the new finch how long will the quarantine period be? 30 days?

**DesertDweller** · 05-08-2012, 03:31 AM

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know that hurt since I just lost my little parrotlet.
Could something possibly have frightened her? Or could she have been egg-bound?
Just a couple of thoughts...

The best thing you could do is to disinfect the cage she was in, just to be safe. What I do (I used to rehab sick birds and lost some) is I also disinfect the walls, floors and furniture that are around the cage area. Of course, you want to move the male away from the area while you do that.
Some people recommend 30 days, others recommend 60 days for quarantine. You might ask your veterinarian.

Hugs going to you and the little male finch..