Zebra Finches: Anyone in here can help me?

My male zebra finch got instantly sick the other day. He was fine the day before and the next day he was on the floor of the cage with labored breathing and icky eyes. His eyes were caked with something. I've had him on meds for about 5 days now. He's still got labored breathing and he can't fly much at all. He seems to be disoriented. I pulled off the icky stuff that covered his eyes and he's okay so far with that. He has charcoal, seeds, the medicine, egg biscuits. I don't know what is wrong with him or what else to try.

Also, the male and female lay eggs but they never hatch. What can I do to insure healthy eggs?

Sounds like some sort of parasite could be the cause--what did your vet say to do? Do you have a vet near you that is an avian specialist? I'm not much of an expert but that's my best guess. I would get Mr. Birdy to the vet soon--those little guys can fade pretty fast.

I had some zebra finches for a while, and I learned that things that scent or leave residue in the air, like candles, perfume, incense and even using teflon pans near them, bothers their respiratory systems. They breathe like a hundred times faster than us, so they breathe these things in a lot more than we do, and they are very sensitive to it. Also, a draft can kill them. Do you have a nest for the eggs? I don't think they will hatch if there is no nest.

Originally Posted by OllyExtra05

Sounds like some sort of parasite could be the cause--what did your vet say to do? Do you have a vet near you that is an avian specialist? I'm not much of an expert but that's my best guess. I would get Mr. Birdy to the vet soon--those little guys can fade pretty fast.

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Yeah there is no birdy vet here. I found a place online who experts are supposed to answer your questions. However they never answered me BUT wanted me to pay them money for an "incentive" to answer the question. I don't know...was kind of disgusted by that.

Originally Posted by menagerie mama

I had some zebra finches for a while, and I learned that things that scent or leave residue in the air, like candles, perfume, incense and even using teflon pans near them, bothers their respiratory systems. They breathe like a hundred times faster than us, so they breathe these things in a lot more than we do, and they are very sensitive to it. Also, a draft can kill them. Do you have a nest for the eggs? I don't think they will hatch if there is no nest.

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Ohhh that is very intersting. I was afraid it was maybe a draft with the change in weather so I moved them to a spare bedroom.

He's hanging in there so far. I'm surprised but trying - that's all I can do at this point.

Good luck!