Do you have a lovely pet zebra finch? It is a very peculiar bird also known as the Timor or diamond zebra finch. It is a passerine bird native to Australia, and is characterized by its beautiful plumage that is cream in colour and its red beak and legs. If you want to get to know this kind of bird, we recommend you keep reading and discover what are the most common diseases in zebra finches.
One of the most common diseases in zebra finches is intestinal inflammation or enteritis. The symptoms of this disease are diarrhea, apathetic behavior, weight loss, and drowsiness. The cause of this ailment is often off food, sudden temperature changes, germs such as Escherichia coli, Pasteurella and Salmonella. The best prevention is being very careful with food, and above all, paying special attention to the hygiene of your bird and its cage. Try to clean its cage frequently and disinfect all accessories. You must also give it a proper meal, with food that is always in good condition. Also try some general antibiotics, always following the guidelines of the veterinarian. Also see our article about how to care for a zebra finch for any questions.
Another common disease of the zebra finch is constipation. Symptoms include difficulty in excreting, swollen belly and inflamed and irritated rear. It is common to see the bird's tail moving continuously down to expel the stool. The cause of this problem is that their food is very dry and astringent, as well as sudden changes in temperature.
To prevent this you need to give them a balanced and varied diet rich in fiber. And pay attention to sudden changes in temperature. To treat constipation you need to change their food and give them a water-soluble solution to regulate intestinal transit. It may also be helpful to provide supplements of charcoal and cod liver oil mixed with bran.
Cloacitis is another common illness affecting the zebra finch. It refers to inflammation of the rear, and is a disease that affects females more than males. The clearest symptom is that their abdomen swells, their rear reddens and they have problems to defecate. The feces also sticks to the tail feathers, and that causes inflammation. The cause is feeding problems or adapting to the environment, and sometimes is the consequence of egg laying. To prevent this disease they must have good hygiene. Thoroughly clean the area, apply an ointment with zinc oxide and give them healthy food.
Another of the most common ailments in zebra finches are intestinal worms. The symptoms of this disease are drowsiness, white fragments in stool and weight loss. The cause of worms are some parasites like roundworms, tapeworms and Capilaria, and sometimes can be transmitted through waste. You can prevent this problem by cleaning their cage, monitoring their health and feeding them well. Keeping the cage clean is the best way to treat worms.
Acariasis of the feathers is a common disease in zebra finches. The symptoms are very clear, the bird does not stop scratching, it is restless, their plumage is dull and it has a kind of dandruff. The cause of this disease are external parasites such as mites, red, grey or lice, which live in your bird's cage and accessories. The best prevention is thorough cleaning and hygiene. To treat this you should disinfect the cage and all the objects in your zebra finch's cage and apply an appropriate anti-parasite spray.
Abnormal moulting is also another typical health problem of zebra finches. Symptoms are the loss of primary and secondary feathers outside of the moulting period which is usually the summer. Nutritional deficiencies and poor hygiene are the causes of this type of excessive shedding. The way to prevent this type of problem is a varied and balanced diet, and above all a very hygienic environment. The optimal treatment to cure the excess shedding is changing their food, perfect hygiene in the bird's environment and providing a multivitamin in the water.
Abnormal growth in the beak is another common disease of the zebra finch. As a result the upper beak grows uncontrollably. The cause of this strange problem is the lack of cuttlefish bone and dietary deficiencies. If you want to prevent it, for your part the best you can do is provide them with a healthy and balanced diet. To reduce the beak you can use a special lime and give them whole or crushed cuttlefish bones along with the pulp bran.
If you want to read similar articles to Common Diseases In Zebra Finches, we recommend you visit our Pets category.