upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

One of my rescue finches looked a bit under the weather. I noticed something that looked like a seed on her back where feathers were missing. I took her out of the cage to examine it and it was not a seed. I took plastic tweezers to remove it and pus came out (?) I dabbed it with an alcohol solution and a little bit of antibotic. The area up close looked like a cluster of feather cysts.
I am afraid to take this bird to the vet because every time I've taken a small bird to the vet they came back in a box.
Has anyone had this experience with a feather pustule on a finch before?

I haven't, but in one of my books it refered to feather cysts as a type of ingrown feather that needs to have an avian vet visit. I read that they need to remove the ingrown feather, disinfect the site, and then give antibiotics to hold down infection until the skin is healed.

I have had great luck taking in my finches over the years. I would go to an avian vet that knows about finches and is used to handling them.

Here are some articles about feather cysts. According to the first one, they can also be painful, so an avian vet would be able to give pain meds as well.

http://www.avianweb.com/feathercysts.html


http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww48eiv.htm

Thank you for the articles regarding feather cysts. This poor bird has bald spots due to the other finch picking on her. I had given them a large cage with follage and rmoved nests to hopefully discourage the behavior. I just noticed the cysts on her back

Before I could schedule a visit to the vet the little finch had died. Her droppings looked normal for the most part and she had a good appetitie but she looked rough. She was bald with growths on her back. At least she passed away in a clean comfortable cage with her friends around her.
Now there is only one finch left. Could I put this finch in with my budgies? or is she better off in her own cage? What is the general lifespan of finches? As I had mentioned in previous messages I these two finches were 'rescues".

Sorry you lost the little one The finch that is left though is best off in it's own cage, as the budgie might kill the finch - or better off with other finches. I don't really know too much about them and would guess that their average lifespan is probably about 2-5 years, however it's possible for them to live longer.

Hmmm...I am guessing they are about 5 years old. Maybe older, I'm not sure. At least "Edith" seems fine by herself so far. She is entertained by the goldfinches outside that perch on the feeders right outside the sliders.
Do you think I should add a vitamen suppliment to her food? I give her seed, millet and greens.