Jennifer Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 Not good. Most birds have a survival reflex - that means that they hide it when they are sick - once you see they are sick, they are VERY sick. Too bad you don't have a crop tube... try like mad to get any food into him or he will get weaker and weaker. If you can, get some calcium into him - that may help with the tremors (ground up eggshell or cuttle bone is good), mixed with a little golden syrup and water (if you can't get proper food into him the sugar may perk him up and stimulate his appetite - avoid honey though as it can have botulism toxin). Keep him warm at about 28 degrees and 70% humidity (if you can). Hope he makes it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 sorry i missed this sam extended legs, balled up feet and spasms can also be a sign of vit deficiencies that can be caused by a number of things vit b can sometimes help, berocca tablets or even marmite dissolved in water can help little drops on side of beak and allow the bird to swallow itself trying to force feed or crop needle a bird of this size is not a good idea for an inexperienced hand glucose is good for energy a bird has a high metabolism and can go from well to very sick in 4 hrs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 No worries guys, thanks for all the help He's still alive, appears stronger than he was last night. We believe he has a broken leg, he seems to be in pain when his legs are back (hence the wing flapping) but when we tuck his legs under him, he appears to be at ease We are feeding him quite often but he rejects the food when he's not hungry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 may be the pelvis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 I tried to wrap him up in half a tissue folded over today to keep him immobile, he was very calm during that. Anything else we can do? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 worst part is tiny bird tiny bones and without xray is hard to diagnose or align properly if it is a break or fracture both legs stiff would suggest the pelvis one leg would suggest broken leg google a finch skeleton it may give you some ideas weaning or fledging puts birds through a lot of stress and they can consume a lot of vit B in this time have you tried a bit of marmite dissolved in warm water dropped on his tongue? can help nerve damage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted November 15, 2009 Report Share Posted November 15, 2009 Sam, I have seen similar symptoms many, many times in baby birds. When we x-ray them we see dozens of fractures throughout their body. I am not saying that your finch has this problem, but it is a possibility. It could also be a neurological deficit or some sort of toxin. If you have fed some of the crushed up boiled egg and shell then that will have bosted his recovery as it is chock full of fat, protein, vitamins A, B and Niacin as well as the all important calcium - it has enough nutrients to counteract any of the most common nutritional deficiencies so you shoud be ok with that. If he has fractures, it may be most humane to euthanise him since he may always be a cripple, even if he recovers fully. Babies do heal very quickly so if you are keen, keep him confined, and in a quiet place so he can sleep a lot. Feed him well on a balanced diet supplemented with the crushed up egg and keep him warm and in no time he will be healing and recovering! Keeping him in a tissue box is just fine for now as long as he isn't continually struggling. Keep us updated on your birdy nursing and your little patient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 you did your best though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 Aww, too bad Sam. Sometimes there is just nothing you can do but keep them comfortable. You did well for trying so hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 good effort sam sadly some things are meant to be but you will learn from the experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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