It's been a while since I have posted and hope everyone is doing well!
I have been taking care of a zebra finch, at home, because he was fluffed up and really, on death's door. He is doing great (I think!) and started to do the little zebra "beeping", tonight!! I take that to be a fantastic sign!
Here is the story: I have been treating the aviary with ivermectin, for mites. i am done with the doses (3), but a couple birdies were still itching, so. of course, I was concerned. I have been in touch with a gentleman from CA (Doug, Friskie Finches), but not recently, so I have been winging it, on my own this past week.
The aviary was moved to a different spot (new flooring being put down), but it was put UNDER a register vent (air/heat) - it has since been moved at my request!. When I checked on the birds I found that the zebra and Lady Gouldian were on the ground all ruffled up. I caught them and put them in a cage by themselves, so they wouldn't be picked on. the next morning they were huddled together (I had put a cover over the cage) as I suspected there had been a draft. I didn't take them home because of rain and cold weather, and when I checked in the aft. the lady was dead! I was devastated! I went home and got a couple towels, covered the cage and brought the zebra home (I should have done that earlier but was dead from working the night shift and the weather wasn't good).
Anyway, I put a light on the cage to provide heat, got pedialyte to replace the water and added a breeding and stress vitamen. Thinking he probably needed something else, I looked at what pills I had that I could use. I had a couple meds that were usable, but I wasn't sure about the dosage. I had amoxicillin mixed up for one of my cats, so pulled up a bit in a syringe and added the pedialyte to it and started giving it orally!! He did drink some, so I did this once or twice a day. The last couple times, he has been fighting me a bit more, so I assume he's getting stronger!! He has been eating seed, for quite awhile, too!
His feathers are looking better and he started to "beep" tonight - a couple times!!! I am so thrilled, but trying to not feel that we are out of the woods! I will give him another day or two, before I take him back to the aviary at the veterans home.
Since I gave a little antibiotic, I am wondering if I should get some probiotics and give him a bit. I assume that won't hurt him. His poop seems to be pretty good, but had been more solid earlier. That is why I think the probiotics would be good for him. Oh, and I have changed back to water, still with the little bit of vitamens. Should I stay withj the pedialyte for a bit longer?
Any thoughts?? Thank you so much, in advance!!
