If you are thinking of welcoming a Mandarin finch or you already have one, in addition to its basic care, you should also know some of the most common conditions that this exotic bird can suffer from. The Taeniopygia guttata is a very small bird and much appreciated for its appearance and its simple care, but to give it the best quality of life in our home, we must recognize some symptoms and he alth problems that will tell you when you should go to the vet.
For this reason, in this article on our site we are going to explain the most common diseases of the mandarin diamond or Timor zebra diamond, to so you can detect when it is possible that your small pet is suffering from a problem.
Constipation
One of the most common he alth problems in these little birds is constipation. Among the signs that will alert us that our partner is suffering from this disorder we will see the following:
- Difficulty passing stool
- Irritated cloaca
- Swollen belly
- Imbolamiento
- Repetitive downward gestures with the tail to try to expel feces
- Scanty and slimy stools
So, if you ever think that your mandarin diamond is embolado, that is to say that its feathers are fluffed, it may not feel well and that it has a swollen belly, in which case it will be like this for quite a long time. But this gesture is also something that birds do to reposition their plumage or regulate their temperature and, in this case, in a moment it will shake off and look normal again.
The main causes of this disorder of the digestive system are a feeding that is too dry and astringent, for example eating only seeds, and sudden changes in temperature The treatment that should be followed, in addition to going to the vet if the problem persists for several days, is to immediately change the diet to one that includes fruits and vegetables for the mandarin diamond and supply a water-soluble supplement to regulate the functioning of the digestive system, which you can find in specialized stores and in veterinary clinics. Cod liver oil with bran and charcoal supplements are also very effective in treating constipation.
The only way to prevent this uncomfortable condition is to seek a varied and balanced diet, rich in natural foods with fiber. Of course, we must also avoid sudden changes in temperature and drafts at all costs.
Chloacitis
Among the most frequent problems that this small exotic bird can suffer from, we also find inflammation of the cloaca, the hole through which the Birds excrete organic waste, which is more common in females than in males. Among the symptoms of cloacitis in a mandarin finch we mainly find the following:
- Swollen abdomen
- Imbolamiento
- Irritated and inflamed cloaca
- Difficulty passing stool
- Dungs stuck to lower tail feathers
The main causes of cloacitis in exotic birds are inadequate feeding, poor adaptation to the environment which produces stress and, in in the case of females, it can also be due to problems and difficulties in laying eggsIf you see that your pet has this problem, you should treat it by carefully cleaning the cloaca area and around it, applying a zinc oxide ointment and improving the diet as necessary. Thus, the only way to avoid this discomfort is to ensure an adequate diet of the mandarin finch, a rich and calm environment and good hygiene.
Enteritis
The intestinal inflammation or enteritis is one of the most frequent conditions in these birds and manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- Apathy
- Diarrhea
- Weightloss
- Drowsiness
For this reason, if you see your Mandarin diamond with its eyes closed for quite a while, that its stools are more liquid and frequent and that you notice it duller, without wanting to move, it may be that it is suffering from this inflammatory condition in your digestive tract. The main causes of this disease are spoiled food, sudden changes in temperature, intestinal parasites and germs such as pasteurela, salmonella and colibacilli.
The way to cure this problem is to offer him a he althy diet appropriate to his species, give him the antibiotic prescribed by the vet according to each case, clean and disinfect both the cage and the accessories and toys. Therefore, the way to prevent this condition is to give our little companion good and he althy food, maintain good hygiene of the housing and accessories and of the bird itself.
Stomatitis and glossitis
Stomatitis is the inflammation of the mucosa of the mouth and glossitis is the inflammation of the tongue, so this condition is a situation where the bird's mouth becomes generally inflamed and irritated. Among the signs that will alert us that our pet suffers from this oral disorder we find the following:
- Visible swelling of the tongue and mouth
- Heavy breathing
- Beak open to breathe
- Snoring
- Feeding problems
- Purulent discharge from the nostrils
The main causes of this problem in mandarin diamonds are the use of foods that are too hard or with insecticides and pesticides and also bacterial, viral and fungal infections. The treatment is based on offering soft food with added vitamin A and the antibiotic prescribed by the veterinarian. The way to prevent this condition is to give him balanced, he althy and as natural food as possible, in addition to taking care of his hygiene correctly.
Intestinal parasites
Among the intestinal worms that this small bird can contract, the most common are cestodes, roundworms and capillaria, which are transmitted directly or by contact with parasitized bird waste. These are internal parasites that lodge in the digestive tract of these birds when they are not dewormed internally with adequate frequency and do not live in a properly sanitized environment. Thus, the clearest symptoms that occur when this he alth problem appears are:
- Drowsiness
- Eyes closed often
- Slimming
- Small white pieces in stool
The treatment is based on supplying a suitable vermifuge against specific parasites and disinfecting the cage and accessories. To prevent your pet from becoming infected, you must take good care of its hygiene and that of its environment, give it a good diet and deworm when and how your veterinarian tells you.
Acariasis
Another of the most common diseases of the mandarin finch is feather acariasis caused by external parasites such as the gray and red mite, in addition to lice, which can easily settle in the cage and accessories that are not well cleaned. Thus, the signs that these parasites are in the feathers and skin of your bird are:
- Dull plumage
- Nervousness and restlessness
- Constant itching and scratching
- White powder like dandruff
Due to the discomfort and itching it suffers, you may also see your Mandarin Diamond plucking its feathers, although this gesture may be due to other reasons. Poultry mite treatment focuses on using a suitable dewormer and disinfecting the housing and accessories. To prevent it from occurring, you just have to have good hygiene in your bird's environment and use external antiparasitics if the veterinarian recommends it.
Abnormal change of plumage
The abnormal moulting of the feathers of these exotic birds is also one of the typical problems they can suffer from. If you see that your Mandarin finch loses primary and secondary feathers outside of the molting season, that is, outside of the summer, then it is having an unusual molt.
The reasons why this happens are poor nutrition, with lack of vitamins, and poor hygiene. Likewise, it is possible that if we keep the bird in a heated area as if it were summer, even though it is actually another time of the year, we cause it to molt and, in this case, it does not have to be sick.
To solve this condition, it is necessary to modify the diet by improving it, disinfect, clean and order the environment and give an adequate vitamin complex that is soluble in drinking water. The only prevention is to always give him a correct and varied diet, keep his environment clean and he althy and avoid sudden changes in temperature.
Abnormal beak growth
Excessive beak growth is a common problem that is easily seen as the top of the beak becomes much longer and the lower part does not change or does so very little, being able to reach the point where the bird is unable to feed itself.
Thus, if you see that your winged friend has a different beak shape than usual, go to the vet to reduce it to the right size, with special material such as scissors and files suitable for beaks. In addition, to finish treating him you will have to give him cuttlefish or cuttlefish bone whole so that he can peck it or include it in powder or crumbled in his food or in the bran paste.
The main cause of beak overgrowth is the lack of material on which the bird can wear its beak itself according to its needs. Likewise, other common errors in the diet such as only offering soft food or others that cause nutritional deficiencies can favor the appearance of this he alth problem. Thus, the only way to prevent it is an optimal diet and the use of these bones or calcium compacts.
Conjunctivitis
This is the inflammation of the membrane inside the eyelids and when it occurs only on the edge of the eyelid it is known as blepharitis. All the symptoms in this case focus on the appearance of the eyes:
- Inner eyelid swelling
- Irritation of the eyelid membrane
- Closed eyes
- Legañas
If you notice that your little bird's eyes are closed, swollen, reddened and runny, you should take it to the vet to have it checked and start a treatment. The main causes can be trauma or blows, wounds, allergies and infections. To combat this eye problem, it is recommended to give an appropriate antibiotic prescribed by the specialist either in water or food or applied directly to the eyes in the form of eye drops. The only way to avoid this problem is to practice good hygiene and a he althy lifestyle.
