Bird Diseases / Common Health Problems
Bird Diseases / Common Health Problems Air Sac Mites Afflicts: Finches (especially Gouldians - it is in fact the number one killer of Gouldian finches. Canaries Budgies Cockatiels But have also been diagnosed in other birds Common Symptoms: Mild cases: Birds may be less vocal; canaries stop singing. The feather quality deteriorates. Birds appear fluffed up a lot of the time and are less active. Advanced state: Sneezing, coughing, wheezing, squeaking, wet nostrils, and labored / open -mouth breathing. Other symptoms include tail bobbing, weakness, weight loss and sneezing and clicking sounds while breathing. Those symptoms are often more noticeable after a strenuous activity, such as after a flight. Diagnosis: Unreliable in the live bird. In some instances, the mites are visible to the naked eye, or, they may be spotted on microscopic examination of the fixed tissues. The vet often performs a tracheal swab. Transmission Air ...