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I have a 5 year old canary named GW. I got him when he was 2. He has had a couple spells where he sits squated and puffed up with diarrhea, white droppings, and is currently in one of those times. I have stopped the greens, given probiotics which helps balance the good bacteria in the gut. He still will sing though not as much, but squats on the perch quite a bit. The only thing I can think of is he ate too much apple one day. But could that diarrhea problem last for weeks? I have read to give raw oatmeal, non flavored to help dry up diarrhea. He takes to that real well, though has not stopped the white diarrhea. He enjoys his veggies and I hate not giving them to him because of the diarrha.

I have been told that canaries are prone to mites. He is alone in a very large cage for exercise and I though I kept it clean. Is there anyone who uses something for mites that is not harmful as I wonder if that may be the problem. He picks and chews at his pearch a lilac branch constantly. He bathes regularly in warm water. I am at my wits end to fix him. Any suggestions for GW?

Have you considered taking your canary to the vet? Maybe he has a bacterial infection?

I took him to the vet one time and he gave me something so harsh I did not know if GW was going to make it. He got a bald spot where I put the medicine. I would not give him anymore 0f it. I looked it up on the internet and it was not to be given to birds, saying it was very dangerous and could be deadly. He did get better though after he got even worse with that stuff.

It could be enteritis, or a number of things. If your vet is an avian vet, not just a vet that 'treats birds', I would take him back for a checkup.
How is his weight? Catch him and check the muscle around his chest bone. If it's sunken in on each side instead of well muscled, then treatment of some type is needed since 'going light' is not a good sign.

If his weight is good, he's eating and drinking well, then you could try recommendations in the following site. http://www.canaryadvisor.com/canary-disease.html

Another great site for canary owners is: http://robirda.net/?c=Health

I would cut back on all fruit and veges for now and feed mostly seed (if that's his main diet). Then slowly add back a little of his favorite greens/fruit and watch his reaction.

Thanks for the website, it is helpful. I am going to try some Scat in case it is a parasite. I have read 90% of canaries have mites.

There is spray you can get at the pet store to treat the mites. To see if he has mites put a white cloth over his cage overnight and in the morning when you take it off you will see mites on the white cloth if he has them. I have raised canaries for quite a few years and never had trouble with mites. May I ask why you have a lilac branch in the cage with your canary? I do not get branches from outside for my birds as they could have bugs in them that will also go onto the bird. Maybe the canary picking and chewing at the branch is also causing the diarrhea in your bird.

I have taken the lilac branch out and looked on line for safe branches. I put a crabapple branch in and he seems to like it. He likes to pick at branches. He is afraid of almost any toy I put in with him to keep him entertained. I though it would also make him feel like good to be on a real branch like the outside birds.
I got some spray at petsmart for mites and have sprayed him a little and a little when i change the papers and wipe the cage. I put a little scat on a q-tip and brushed on the skin between his wings a few days ago. No very much though. He is starting to molt. Been wondering if that is part of what is going on with him to. He is in a really big cage so he can get lots of exercise. I don't have a white sheet, can I see mites on a colored sheet? Thanks in advance.

As long as you have a light colored piece of sheet that will work. Also if you are going to use branches from friut trees for your canary I would wash them good in water and put them in the microwave for a couple of seconds to kill the bugs and let them dry and then put the branches in his cage. Canaries don't really like any toys. Does your canary sing?

I will give the sheet a try. I hope they are big enough for me to see as I wear bifocals. I did not clean the branch at all. I should have. I have read that birds like to strip bark off a fresh cut branch. I could not fit the whole thing in the micro, though I think I could fit it into the oven. I used a real long branch.
He still sings several times a day. He is not squatting as much as he was. After his bath this morning, I will clean his cage and spray him once more with the spray after removing all the food sources. I will try to get a squirt or two on him when his back is turned. What do you think about the molting. I have been trying to get him extra rest at night to fight this problem. I am going to give him some brocolli today. He loved his peas yesterday. Sharon

Your canary might be just molting for the season. Most canaries either molt in Early Spring or Late Summer. Mine usually molts in late summer but I bred them so I have them in a cooler enviroment. If the weather as been hot where you are it just might have started molting.
It is hard to see mites they are very small.
Patty