FINCHforum

I lost Azlan yesterday, my yellow male canary. We have had him for 2 years

My mom found him yesterday afternoon, on the floor having convulsions. She put him in the sick cage with heat but he had passed already by the time I got home. I couldn't find any marks on him and prior to this, he was a happy healthy canary. Everyone else in the aviary is also fine.

The only thing I can think of, is perhaps he banged his head on the aviary roof while having an argument with Peter, my other male canary (they have been together for 2 years - never had an injury before).

Could a head injury cause the convulsions? I am completely stumped as to what else could have caused it.

Rox - Absolutely. A head injury could definitely cause convulsions, just as it would in a human.

Toxicity is another thing that comes to mind. Is there ANY way he got into something toxic? Toxicity can also result in convulsions and seizures.

Toxicity can also result from organ failure. (E.g. your kidneys fail and the toxins build up in your blood because they're no longer flushed out by the kidneys.) That could happen due to a number of conditions or simply old age. Could he have been a lot older than 2 years? (You mentioned you had him for 2 years; not sure how old he was when you got him?)

Has he ever shown any signs of epilepsy? It's a fairly uncommon diagnosis in birds, but it does happen. Epilepsy can cause a head injury or sudden death for no obvious reason. (Usually some sort of occlusion of the airway with the tongue or it could cause him to fall off the perch and hit his head.)

I'm so sorry you lost your little guy. I hope you find answers. I hate not knowing why I've lost one of my babies, feathered or furred.

MiaCarter thanks for getting back to me.

The only thing I can think of that could possibly be toxic, is certain parts of the aviary where there is some rust starting (it's an old aviary). But I don't see why he would go and deliberately chew on those area's when there is so much else going on in the aviary (it's a big aviary 3mx2mx2m). I honestly have no idea how old he is, as I bought him at a pet shop. It could very possibly be an age problem but he has never showed any signs of ill health before.

It's just so frustrating not knowing what happened

Canaries are fussy eaters, I doubt it that he will chew on rust. He could have been old already. That is the reason I prefer to get young birds directly from breeders. Then I know exactly how old the bird is. I had enough losses buying someone's dud's from a petshop. Someone I know died a few days ago at the age of 43. Blood-clot went through the brain. I suppose that birds can have hidden defects as well and get for instance a burst artery in the brain.

MariusStegmann luckily I have learnt the lesson about buying young birds only. Not easy with the waxbills since most from Leon are wild caught but with the Gouldian's and other finches, I definitely stick to youngsters only. Especially if I plan to breed.

Sorry Rox! You can have freak accidents. Head injury from a fright etc. I had a hawk attack my cage before and my doves hit the roof as a flight reflex. They were badly stunned and did have mild convulsions. For months my male dove would keel over and play dead if a large shadow passed over.

Also the butcher birds - if they manage to get their beaks in crush the birds windpipes. Senseless deaths.

Did you see any injury? Was he in good health other than the convultions, skinny etc or not?

There are a few nasty diseases that have convulsions as a final stage. I'd just keep an eye on the others just in case.

But don't panic, its a strong possibly it is just a head injury from a freak accident.

Rox
Sorry about your Canary boy. Can birds get heart attacks or strokes? I know other animals can, that's why im wondering.

monotwine@lovezebs

Monique, I'm terrible, as I had a good giggle at this "For months my male dove would keel over and play dead if a large shadow passed over" haha, I can just picture it

I think it was either a head injury or an old age issue that happened. His weight was good and no obvious health issues. Everyone else in the aviary is doing fine and building nests like mad at the moment. But we are keeping an eye on them.

Lovezebs,
I think they could definitely have a heart attack or stroke. Not knowing his background, it could possibly have been coming on for years.

So sorry for your loss, Rox . Fly free Azlan...