Gouldians with twisted neck

[ac12]

I don't know how to describe this.
The bird has a twisted neck, she normally hold her head twisted over like in the pix.
She was fine one day and the next day, she looked like this.
I don't know if it was night fright and she injured her neck flying into the cage.
But over several months she has not improved.

Any ideas of what may have happened to cause this.
I have her in a small cage with low perches, as she cannot fly/land well, but she can manage the short jump/fly to the low perches.

[Ginene]

ac12
Awww...poor baby . My initial thought when I saw the pic was twirling, but if she's holding her head steady in that position twirling wouldn't fit. Maybe it is some type of injury...a strain maybe. Email this pic to Laraine @ ladygouldian.com and she can ask Dr. Rob what he thinks. They are both wonderful and very helpful. Best of luck with your sweet girl.

[finchandlovebird]

Oh Gary....she is just too sad looking. Will be interesting what answer you get from Loraine.

[Toddmin]

ac12 Gary, have you held her and felt if there was anything under her skin? I am wondering if it is skeletal or muscular.

[Ginene]

I'm wondering how your Gouldian is doing too???

[ac12]

Well she is doing fine.
Just have to give her food in a low dish so it is easy to eat.
Kinda sad to watch, but she seems to be coping.

[Angela&Shalamar]

check for sinus or ear type infection or parasites. When animals do that it can be a sign that their equilibrium is a bit off.

[Ginene]

ac12
Glad to hear she is adjusting...I was hoping that her neck showed some improvement. Hopefully she will continue to improve over time.

[ac12]

ac12
Glad to hear she is adjusting...I was hoping that her neck showed some improvement. Hopefully she will continue to improve over time.

Actually she has been like this for a few months.
So very little chance that she will get better.

[rainbowfinch]

I had this twirling condition with a hand feed Gouldian. I treated our Butterfly with Trimethoprim/Sulfa powder. Butterfly recovered but it was 2 or so months before his little head was upright again and about 6 months back to normal activities. I did have to hand feed him when he was very ill with this condition. Butterfly has full run of the house and was only caged during his illness. Butterfly is sitting on my shoulder and singing into my ear as I am writing this.
I truly hope this helps.
Tracy

[dutch]

ac12.....any change in the gouldian?

[Sally]

I had this twirling condition with a hand feed Gouldian. I treated our Butterfly with Trimethoprim/Sulfa powder. Butterfly recovered but it was 2 or so months before his little head was upright again and about 6 months back to normal activities. I did have to hand feed him when he was very ill with this condition. Butterfly has full run of the house and was only caged during his illness. Butterfly is sitting on my shoulder and singing into my ear as I am writing this.
I truly hope this helps.
Tracy

This could be early stages of twirling. I'd give the Trimethoprim/Sulfa treatment a try.