Going Light

Articles and Information - Lady Gouldian Finch

Going Light, The Lights, Fading Away or Wasting Away disease,
what ever you call it, this problem has been known
to aviculture since the hobby began.

Birds will eat and eat and still get thin, thin and thinner. Most times you will find the bird dead in the feeder cup. The more they eat, the thinner they become. I use the term "disease" in describing this problem. What causes a bird to "go light?" The answer to this question is complicated by the fact that "going light" is not a single disease but really only a symptom common to a large number of diseases. In this Quick Reference Guide I am making the assumption that the birds are dealing with a parasite/disease, not a poor nutrition, beak or mouth injuries, bully birds in the aviary, viral diseases or chronic kidney, liver or respiratory disease just to name a few, causing them to " waste away."

More common in baby birds
This condition can be seen in adult birds however, I see it more in chicks. The chick's immune system is not fully developed making it impossible for it to deal with parasites. This baby Gouldian in the photo above is an extreme case of wasting away. You can visually see the razor sharp breast (keel) bone protruding from his body.

No visual signs of wasting away
In the Sick Bird article you will find a complete list of signs and behavior that will help you identify if your bird is ill. Finches are so well adept at hiding illness, I believe it is necessary for you to catch your bird on a regular basis for a physical exam because a disease may be quite well advanced by the time he shows any signs of the illness. The weight loss may be extreme making it impossible to reverse the condition and the bird will die.

Holding the bird in your hand
If a bird in "going light," the fat layer immediately under the skin and abdominal fat are the first to be used followed by the large pectoral muscles, which lie on either side of the breast bone. Holding the bird in your hand, feel around his breast (keel) bone area. Normally the breast If the keel bone is sharp and can be felt, coupled with a sunken abdomen, this is the main characteristic of a bird "going light."

There are several possible causes for this condition.

Protozoal infections are the second most common cause. Cochlosomosis is the most serious protozoal infection of the Gouldian finch. It is especially a problem in young birds from the age of six weeks until the end of molting. If an protozoa outbreak occurs, Ronivet 12% is the treatment that I recommend.

Immediate treatment required
Speed is essential if the bird is to survive and recover. Often you don't have time to take your bird to the vet and have a culture to find out exactly what is wrong with your bird. In this case we suggest you mix the Ronivet and Trisulfa together in the birds drinking water and treat for bacterial and protozoa infections at the same time.

Coccidiosis is normally confined to ornamental aviaries and is associated with wet weather and dirty floors. Birds are at risk of becoming infected with coccidial protozoa particularly during wet weather for more than three days. Cocci-vet is an anticoccidial treatment for birds that I have found to be very effective in the prevention of Coccidiosis.

Parasites intestinal freeloaders such as gizzard, tape and round worms can cause diarrhea containing undigested seed. The signs of worms are usually non-specific-often a bloody diarrhea followed quickly by death. Worm infestation causes the bird to loose weight because it blocks the intestine, making it difficult for the bird to absorb food. Food is also not digested properly and is found intact in the bird's feces. Treatment Worm-Out Gel in their water will kill intestinal worms, including tapeworm.

External Mites Red mites are very tiny insects that live in the cracks and crevices of cages and aviaries. They only come out at night to infest the bird and suck its blood. This will cause the bird to "go light" through loss of energy. Avian Insect Liquidator is 100% safe for use on all birds but deadly to insects including mites and lice.

Air Sac Mites is the most common ectoparisite seen mostly in the gouldians, canaries and finches. The life cycle is complicated and the chicks can become infected by the parents regurgitating food and mites. The signs of air sac mites include open mouth breathing, a clicking respiration, coughing, sneezing and head shaking. The air sac mites invade the sinuses, windpipe, lung tissue and the major air sacs throughout the birds body. The increased energy required to breathe plus decreased eating due to shortness of breath, will cause the bird to go light. Scatt and Moxidectin are extremely effective in killing the adult mite and the eggs that hatch after the application due to it's three week residual action.

Supportive treatment
Warmth is vitally important at this time. Isolate the bird in a hospital cage or an open cage with a heat source (ceramic heat lamp, heating pad). Provide Guardian Angel or Energize in the drinking water and make the food easily accessible. Crop or tube feed if the bird can't eat on it's own.

Prevention is most important

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