HELP, PLEASE, my lavender is not acting right

[MiaCarter]

That is bizarre.

It does sound neurological.
That's how my Priscilla looked. No balance. Jerky movements. She was to the point where she couldn't leave her nest, so I was feeding her in there.
She'd try to leave the nest, but couldn't fly. And on the ground, she'd put her wings out to balance and was clearly dizzy. She would hit the edge of the bowl while trying to eat. And fell face first into the water when she'd try to drink.
It was hard to watch. I thought for sure she'd pass away, esp. after Amoxitex didn't work.
But she showed a marked improvement after a few days with the Nystatin and Trimethoprim Sulfa. It took her about a month to get back to almost normal. She's still not 100% normal several months later. Can't fly any real distance. But she is happy and living, which is more than I could say for when she was sick.

So let's think....
Any toxins he could have ingested? Cleaners or even fake foliage or something?
Wet seed that could have gotten mold? Any food that could have gone off? Perhaps sprouted seed that developed mold that you couldn't see?
Any exposed metals on/inside/near the cage?

Grasping at straws, I know. Seems unlikely to be a food or environmental thing since no others are impacted. But you never know, I guess.

[KarenB]

I took him off all meds and began probiotics. As I was telling someone in a private message, he is the only one of my 53 finches to show any sign of illness. Remember, he was in a flight with all the other African finches I have.

I am meticulous with their food as far as clean dishes, water, etc, so if it were that, I'd be hard to convince of it. All circumstances point to neurological. I had a parrot with neurological issues, so I know some of the signs. Plus, all the poop looks perfectly normal.

He has been on medication not really that long. I tried amox, then the statin and sulfa combo, with no apparent improvement, so I think nature will have to run its course here, unfortunately. Blood tests and all that are not really practical, so I will just keep him in the hospital for now.

I feel bad that he is alone, though. Who wants to spend their last days alone? Poor guy. And poor me. He is my most favorite finch.

[lovezebs]

KarenB
Hi Karen.
Can you put his mate in with him for company?
I wouldn't write him off yet. Let's see how he does after a few days of palliative care. Good food, yummy treats, clean water and light and warmth. Some companionship might cheer him up a bit too.

Good luck...

~Elana~

[KarenB]

I can put in all the good food in the world, but like I said, he is not eating it. The only thing he will touch is the mini meal worms.

[finchmix22]

KarenB
I can't recall of the top of my head, but did you try Medistatin? I know that and Trimethoprim Sulfate are used for Twirling and other neurological conditions. It doesn't always work, but if you really think it's neurological, call Lorraine at ladygouldianfinch.com and see what she thinks. She's really good and problem solving difficult cases.

[MiaCarter]

Agreed with Elana; I'd pop his mate in there.
There's no harm if he's just on probiotics and the companionship could help keep him calm and reduce stress.

Hey, you know what? If he's eating the mini mealworms, then that's a good thing. They're quite nutritious and it's enough to sustain him. I've seen the same selectiveness in my guys when they're unwell.

I'd also contact Laraine. She's wonderful and a great troubleshooter.

[KarenB]

I emailed Laraine, so will wait to see what she has to say.

[lovezebs]

KarenB
Any news from Laraine? Any news about your boy?

~Elana~

[KarenB]

No response yet.

He is eating meal worms well. I got him some of that black seed to try. Put it in this evening, so I'll check it in the morning to see if he's touched it. He hasn't been eating any seeds at all, or veggies. He picked at a piece of apple one day but didn't eat any of it. Also he has played with some egg shell and nibbled it. I am going to put a dried bug mix in tomorrow as I'm nearly out of meal worms and my order won't get to me until Monday. Otherwise, status quo

[lovezebs]

KarenB
Have you tried some spray millet and cucumber?

~Elana~

[KarenB]

I can stick a spray in there. My birds ignore cucumber, so I didn't even think about it.

[MiaCarter]

Yeah, I'd definitely find some spray millet. They tend to love that.

I'd also try bloodworms if you have them. Those are high in nutrients and protein. He may like those if he likes the mealworms.

Can you find more mealies locally before your shipment arrives on Monday?

[KarenB]

I put a spray in (ordered by the box) and I have already been putting the freeze-dried bloodworms in with the live mealies because he does eat those and the vitamins I sprinkle on, plus I'm putting in the crushed up freeze-dried mealy/fly larvae gourmet that I also give all the other birds.

I dump oats in with the mealies until I'm ready to give them to the finches since I don't refrigerate the mealies (use them up too fast, anyway). I usually scoop out the oats and mealies together and put them in a dish, rather than pick each individual worm out -- ain't got that kinda time. I have noticed that he munches on the oats, too, which I find odd.

I find it interesting that he's only going for the protein. I hate to put live flies in, though, because I'm not sure if he'll be able to catch them, and I'd rather not have to chase those suckers all over the house.

I have considered putting him back in with his flock. I don't see what harm it could do, and he'd at least have company. I'd rather not try and catch the female to put with him. The juvenile gold breasts are not yet weaned, and are still pretty small, and I don't want to stir that pot and freak the parents out, too.

[MiaCarter]

KarenB - That's funny on the oats! But not too unusual, as it is a grain and they're known for eating lots of seeds/grains.

I agree; I don't see the harm in returning him to his home if he's happier there.
Isolation is primarily to administer meds, monitor poop, and protect the flock from contagion.
But none of those things really seem to apply at the moment. So I think it would be good to return him.

Did you hear back from Laraine?

Have you considered something like fatty liver disease?
Is he overweight and/or does he have a fatty belly?
If the liver is poorly functioning, that would result in the accumulation of toxins in the system, resulting in neurological symptoms.

[KarenB]

I felt of the keel bone and all that when I originally put him in hospital, but he seemed normal to me, if not a bit thin.