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Coccidiosis (bloody/intestinal diarrhea) in canaries and finches

Cause: Isospora spp. (intestinal protozoa) · Type: Parasitic · Quarantine: 30 days

Other names: Coccidia، Diarrhea، The black dot (common name)

Symptoms

How it spreads

Through food, water and floors contaminated with droppings (the oocysts mature on the ground and become infective).

Diagnosis

A fecal test under the microscope (flotation) shows the oocysts. Fresh droppings are best.

Treatment

Anticoccidials: in common practice toltrazuril (such as Baycox), sulfonamides, or amprolium in the drinking water, at the dose set by the vet according to the product. Merck notes that coccidia occur in finches but without a specific protocol. The cage must be cleaned well during treatment. [Update 3] Third-pass update: a study on passerines (Mohr 2017) found that toltrazuril (Baycox 2.5%) stopped Isospora oocyst shedding within a week; the study gives no dose for finches, so the dose comes from the vet according to the product. (All under veterinary supervision.)

Prevention

Clean the droppings every day, do not put food on the floor, change the water daily, do not overcrowd the birds, and do a fecal test before the season.

Season

Highest in heat and humidity (summer and autumn)

Treatment and doses are decided by an avian vet after an exam; Zajel does not publish doses.

Other diseases

Sources