FINCHforum

I have a female gouldian that cannot stand on her feet.
When she stands she is on her calf/shin. In the last week, I have not seen her up, on her feet. It is like she has no strength at the ankle to hold up her body.
Any ideas on what to do to help her?

I have her separated in a hospital cage with newspaper on the floor, cuz otherwise she falls through the grating. And I have heat on 24hours.

Aw, poor girl.

I would see about getting her some vitamin D3. An insufficiency can cause profound muscle weakness to a point where a bird will literally fall off the perch. That's the first thing that comes to mind. A D3 insufficiency can look almost like a neurological deficit in the way it manifests as a weakness. It's like the bird wants to stand or whatnot, but she can't.

Have you been able to examine her legs for an obvious break/injury? I'd try to take a peek there too.
But it seems as though it would be rather unlikely as they can usually stand with one injured leg. I've never seen two injured legs. Possible, I suppose, but unlikely.

D3, I have some but how to down dosage it for a bird?

ac12.....sounds like metal poisoning

I checked your other topics. ...you also had a gouldian who couldn't hold her head up....

Ask a vet about the metal poisoning. ....they can run tests

ac12...I just wanted to say I'm so sorry about your hen and good luck! Hopefully someone can help you both

Here's an article on D3 dosing in birds:
http://2ndchance.info/birdsvitd.htm

Still, it seems a bit imprecise.
Depending on the concentration, I'd start with a drop or two on the beak twice a day for a few days and see if that helps?

You might also look up a couple avian supplements with D3 and see what the recommended dosage is on those. That could give you a better idea of how much to give (just remember that with vitamins, maintenance dosage is typically about 1/4 - 1/3 of what you'd give as a 'loading' dose for a bird who's deficient.)

Not sure if this will help but interesting reading

Nutritional Requirements
http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/nutrition ... ements.php

Nutrients & Their Sources
http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/nutrients_and_sources.php

Nutrients: Signs of Deficiency
http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/nutrient_deficiency.php

Nutrients: Signs of Excess
http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/nutrient_excess.php

ac12.....how's the gouldian doing?

No improvement.

I just started on a 4-in-1 treatment.

Aw, I'm sorry to hear that.
Hopefully the 4-in-1 will help!

Fooey
She died
I found her dead sitting in the water dish in the morning. That was very strange as she never went into the dish before, unless the death spasming threw her into the corner and into the dish.

BTW, the 4-in-1 did not help.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear this. That's awful.

Odd things happen when they die. It's also possible she was fluttering around like a runaway train as often happens right near the end and landed in the water and couldn't get out. I hope not; that would have been a bad way to go.

ac12.....how are your other Goulds doing?

Is the other one holding her head up?

so sorry to hear this Gary

So sorry to hear you lost her, Gary.