Loss of balance Black headed cauqie

[vwbug2010]

Our Black headed cauqie is loosing balance. Also shivers a bit and sleeps a lot. Took him to the vets they did bloods - all looked normal, also tested for metal poison all ok.

Any one got any ideas? I thought calcium level but looked normal - he is eating and drinking ok, just very wobbly and falling down to the bottom of his cage - he can climb ok.

Legs looked ok the vet said so struggling here....

 

[noodles123]

Did the run a vitamin panel and ABV/ and or PDD test? ABV/PDD testing may involve numerous tests--some of which do not involve blood, and others that do.
I am sure they did a cbc, but the testing I mentioned above is specific (in the same way that the metal panel is specific).
If not, you might consider getting him tested for those.
How old is he?
There are obviously other things that can cause loss of balance too...I just threw out a few.

 

[vwbug2010]

Thanks he is four years old.

 

[vwbug2010]

No idea to be honest I was just told they ran some bloods I have the results they include testing of Biochemistry and Haematology

 

[vwbug2010]

As far as I understand he has not been tested for diseases yet

 

[noodles123]

Okay, so he is still young. If you can, I would look into diseases and vitamin panels then. Has he been scratching at his head a lot of sneezing more than usual---I wonder if he could have an infection in his ears etc...Did they do any sort of swab or gram stain?

How long has this been going on and is it getting worse or staying the same?

 

[vwbug2010]

Going on for three weeks, we thought his nails were long but we trimmed them and noticed it getting worse his balance problems. Seems to have got worse I would say. He is happy eating and drinking but getting frustrated with his balance problems. Its hard work for him to eat a banana chip and stand on one foot for example. I am taking him back soon as I am concerned. Could be an ear inflection. He does the odd sneeze and scratch but no more than usual. I`ll post some videos later which might help

 

[vwbug2010]

They have not done any swab or gram stain from what I gather yet

 

[noodles123]

What is your birds diet like?
Too much iron can prevent calcium absorption...and (as you stated) that can cause these symptoms, but so can many other deficiencies and diseases.
It's maybe a stretch, but does your bird spend time in an outdoor aviary or outdoors in general?

 

[vwbug2010]

He has Harrison's pellets and seed without sunflower seeds alterative days he does not go outside - I have put a tempory floor in the cage to stop he falling and hurting himself

 

[noodles123]

Like I said, it is a stretch, but are mosquitoes an issue in your area?

 

[vwbug2010]

No not in the UK we are too cold for mosquitoes I will take him back to the vet next week

 

[rita1]

No not in the UK we are too cold for mosquitoes I will take him back to the vet next week

yes that is the only good thing going for the uk at the moment.... no mozzies.

i hope your little caique will get better, please keep us updated, i am interested in what is causing your bird to be losing his balance.

 

[vwbug2010]

Just an update folks he is going in for more tests, legs look ok, blood tests all normal but there is a loss of balance so will see what the tests show

 

[BeatriceC]

One thing that may be helpful for your vet to diagnose is video. Parrots are prey animals and they hide their illnesses. The stress of a vet visit will absolutely get your bird to put more effort into hiding whatever is wrong. If you can get video of what he's doing, your vet can see what's happening when he's home and relaxed and not hiding whatever issue is going on.

 

[vwbug2010]

Just an update he has been diagnosed with the Borna virus real shame any one know how I can help him feel more comfortable? I was going to try Celebrex but have been told by the vet it’s not really effective. Any other anti inflamatries worth trying? Having six other parrot I will get them tested

 

[texsize]

I don’t have any good news to offer.
I lost my Plumas to something like this, at least as far as symptoms go.
He kept falling off his perch an having a hard time climbing back up.
I would see him stabilizing himself with his beak gripping the bars of his cage.
In Plumas’s case he was an old bird and wild caught. I think he must have had a stroke.
My vet said ear infection would not cause balance problem like it does in people.

I wish you all the best and hope things turn out well.
Texsize.