Leaning zebra finch

[jmc]

Merlin is slightly over five years old. Yesterday I noticed him leaning on one wall, but when I went for a closer look, he flew off and seemed fine.

Today he seems worse. He's always leaning in the same direction, and has some trouble flying and landing. He's not fluffing up or hanging out near heat, but he does sit a bit tilted - both body and head - with his eyes closed - to me it appears he might be dizzy. Sometimes I've noticed him making odd little tiny jerks - kind of like one might with the hiccups. Right now he's leaning hard on his companion, who is treating him normal; grooming, not attacking/driving away like he might a sick bird (these two are aggressive birds to everybody else, and thus separated from the rest). I haven't tried to catch him (can only do that at night), but I don't see any injuries on the leg he's leaning away from, and he's gripping fine, even on the cage wires.

There doesn't appear to be anything obvious externally. He's eating and drinking, but it appears he may have lost some weight. His droppings look normal (can't tell them from the other bird's droppings)

We have no avian vets locally - at least not one I'll use again (long story; the one avian vet is not gentle enough for the tiny birds). I'm thinking he may have sustained a head injury somehow... but what else might be going on, and how might I treat it? I have a couple of bird meds available: Ronivet 12%, Medistatin, and trimethoprim/sulfa

Appreciate any help!

[jmc]

We've put both of them in a fresh new cage, added a platform near the heater, and started him (them) on tri-sulfa (trimethoprim/sulfa).

We're leaving him in the cage with Luke, his companion (and full brother), since Luke seems to be helping him.

Still looking for advice on what might be the problem, and possible treatments.

[lovezebs]

jmc

Hi,

I'm not certain what could be going on with your little guy.

How is he today?

I tend to agree with you, that he might have sustained some sort of a head injury, possibly through a night fright incident, maybe blown an ear drum which would explain some of the tilting and loss of balace issues.

In regards to Vets, regretably, most have absolutely no experience what so ever in dealing with birds, most especially tiny finches .

[jmc]

He's still with us. He started flailing/flipping, so I removed him from the cage and put him in a soft sided hamster carrier we have (bought for the finches).

He looked at death's door when I put him in there, but apparently some 'stall rest' is the ticket. The box is dark and small, and soft so if he flails it's less likely he'll hurt himself.

This morning he's sitting on his chest, looking perky, and he's positioned himself right at the "dinner plate". I'll leave him in there for two days, I think, then put him back in with Luke to see if he's improved. A physical exam didn't show any swelling, bumps, or injuries at all.

He's still getting the trisulfa and the medistatin (or whatever it's called).

[lovezebs]

jmc

Glad to hear that he's still with us .

When you did your actual physical exam, did you note whether he can stretch his legs out to the fullest, then fold them back into normal psition easily enough? Also can he unfurl his wings completely, then fold them back into normal position again?

I'm asking, because sitting on his chest, is not a normal position if all is well.

[jmc]

Yes, he can stretch and grip with both legs fine, though I think one is weaker than the other (I've considered he may have had a stroke). I've observed him opening and closing his wings, as well.

I think he's chest sitting because his balance is compromised, maybe it's even harder to balance when there's no perch?

[lovezebs]

jmc

Strokes, although rare in the bird world, can happen at times from what I've read about it.

[Millenia]

This will sound strange but I know that ducks can get botulism and will be off balance and stumble around. Old timers referred to it as limberneck. I have no idea if finches can get something similar, though.

[lovezebs]

jmc

How is the little guy?

Any improvement since we've last heard?

[jmc]

He's... either sort of better, or just getting better at managing the imbalance. He's improved from the time I put him in the travel cage, but hasn't improved any further from when i took him out, about a day and a half later. He still can't fly or land worth crap, and is still leaning badly, but isn't acting sick. We just make sure there's a little food and water at the bottom of the cage.

We'll give him a week or two on the medicines, if he hasn't improved we'll reevaluate.

[lovezebs]

jmc

Good luck.

[jmc]

Whatever the problem was, he's still improving... sort of. Better balance, better aim, but looks a bit fluffy sometimes, which wasn't the case before. Still on trisulfa and medistatin.