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|  Going Light, The Lights, Fading Away or Wasting Away disease, Birds will eat and eat and still get thin, thin and thinner. Most times you will find the bird dead in the feeder cup. The more they eat, the thinner they become. I use the term “disease” in describing this problem. What causes a bird to "go light?" The answer to this question is complicated by the fact that “going light” is not a single disease but really only a symptom common to a large number of diseases. In this Quick Reference Guide I am making the assumption that the birds are dealing with a parasite/disease, not a poor nutrition, beak or mouth injuries, bully birds in the aviary, viral diseases or chronic kidney, liver or respiratory disease just to name a few, causing them to " waste away."
More common in baby birds No visual signs of wasting away Holding the bird in your hand There are several possible causes for this condition. Bacteria infection is the most common. Bacterial diseases are usually food or water related. There are several types of bacteria that can cause the wasting symptoms. Bacterial diseases such as salmonella, E.coli and other forms of enteritis (inflammation of the gut) may require antibiotics. Amoxitex is the antibiotic that I use to treat bacterial infections. It is particularly useful in treating conditions such as sinus infections, enteritis, skin and follicle infections, wounds, pneumonias, and reproductive infections. Water hygiene is very important with bacterial diseases. Sparkle is a specially formulated water cleanser to prevent the multiplication of bacteria in your water containers. Sparkle can be used before and during the breeding season on a continual basis without ill effect to the babies or parents. Protozoa infections are the second most common cause. Cochlosomosis is the most serious protozoal infection of the Gouldian finch. It is especially a problem in young birds from the age of six weeks until the end of molting. If an protozoa outbreak occurs, Ronex is the treatment that I recommend. Immediate treatment required Coccidiosis is normally confined to ornamental aviaries and is associated with wet weather and dirty floors. Birds are at risk of becoming infected with coccidial protozoa particularly during wet weather for more than three days. Cocci-Care is an anticoccidial treatment for birds that I have found to be very effective in the prevention of Coccidiosis. Parasites intestinal freeloaders such as gizzard, tape and round worms can cause diarrhea containing undigested seed. The signs of worms are usually non-specific-often a bloody diarrhea followed quickly by death. Worm infestation causes the bird to loose weight because it blocks the intestine, making it difficult for the bird to absorb food. Food is also not digested properly and is found intact in the bird's feces. Treatment Worm Away in their water will kill intestinal worms, including tapeworm. External Mites Red mites are very tiny insects that live in the cracks and crevices of cages and aviaries. They only come out at night to infest the bird and suck its blood. This will cause the bird to "go light" through loss of energy. Pestex is safe enough to spray on newly hatched chicks but deadly to insects including mites and lice. Air Sac Mites is the most common ectoparisite seen mostly in the gouldians, canaries and finches. The life cycle is complicated and the chicks can become infected by the parents regurgitating food and mites. The signs of air sac mites include open mouth breathing, a clicking respiration, coughing, sneezing and head shaking. The air sac mites invade the sinuses, windpipe, lung tissue and the major air sacs throughout the birds body. The increased energy required to breathe plus decreased eating due to shortness of breath, will cause the bird to go light. Scatt and S76 are extremely effective in killing the adult mite and the eggs that hatch after the application due to it's three week residual action. Supportive treatment Prevention is most important Article © lady gouldian finch.com 2003 |
