Sick gouldian: he turns his head completely around

[maru]

Hi!!

Please, I need your help. One of my gouldians began turning his head in a strange manner, like he wanted to see the ceiling, but turning his head around completely, like the exorcist (sorry for the comparison). He began doing this some days ago, but he was eating ok, but I had to go out of town, and they tell me these last days he has been much worse, so two days ago they thought he was about to die, but he improved a little. Right now he is trying to sleep, but instead of hiding his head in his wing, he has it completely turned around, like looking to the ceiling. I haven´t given him any medicine lately, so it can´t be a reaction to a medicine. This bird has been with me for about two months, and he seemed very healthy until some days ago. Has someone seen anything like this? Poor thing!

[L in Ontario]

I'm sorry to hear of this sudden change in your Gouldian. There is a chance it could be "twirling". Try to read up on it in the Finch Information Center - linked on the left side of your screen. They have much more information about it than I can begin to tell you. Good luck and please keep us posted on his condition!

[B CAMP]

Sorry to hear of his sickness you might want to check this link also sorry I can't ad anything myself
http://www.finchniche.com/f-sick.mgi

[AndreasLon]

I agree that it really sounds like twirling. The fact that it’s a gouldian finch, makes this even more likely. I’m so sorry to say in my opinion there is very little you can do for this bird as we still don’t know what causes twirling but if you want to try and treat him you can find more info here http://www.finchniche.com/f-twirling.mgi. Also plenty of info available on the web.

I have noticed that some of my gouldians and parrot finches (both Erythrura genus) can twist their heads in strange positions when enclosed in small cages, particularly when they don’t feel that their cage is high enough. This can be possible in just one or two individuals in the flock, so just in case: how big is the cage where your bird is kept?

I hope what you are experiencing is this type of behaviour rather than twirling. In the case of the first behaviour, the finch will not show any sign of loss of balance and would still be able to fly and move well around the cage, but they will still look agitated and unsettled as I think they are having some sort of panic attack caused by claustrophobia -poor things!
With advanced twirling, they also stumble about and can’t fly well (although I’ve never seen it myself as it is quite rare).

If you think it may be indeed claustrophobia, let me know, I can tell you how I’ve dealt with that.

[CandoAviary]

Could also be an inner ear infection which is easily treated with antibiotics. Sometimes this inner ear infection has symptoms of balancing problems and is easily confused with twiling or a megabacteria infection. Best wishes.

[maru]

Thank you all!

I have read some of the links you gave me. I also think it is twirling, because his general state seems ok, he is not fluffy or seems sad. I read that when it is an ear infection, he should be sad.

He was in a cage which floor is 120 x 42 cm, and the height is 40 cm, and he was there with other 3 gouldians. Now I have put him in a very small cage, because I saw him bad, but maybe that was worse. I would be grateful for your advice in case it is claustrophobia, but unfortunately I think it is twirling, because he not only looks to the ceiling, but keeps twirling his head, and, as I told you, I saw him trying to sleep with his head twirled, instead of putting it under his wing. Anyway, I would be grateful for your advice. I am sad because I read that if it is not an ear infection, it is a genetic condition, and there is no cure, and sometimes they live a lot of time with this problem.

[AndreasLon]

Maru,

if he sleeps in that position then it's not a reaction to the cage. He is suffering from twirling or ear infection.

You are correct in saying that if he had an infection he would also look fluffed up, but there is no harm in trying to give him some antibiotics as you can't do him any more harm than he's already suffering from.

If it is twirling, it's uncurable but then I hope the only consolation for you is that his condition has nothing to do with how you kept him. We all have a duty to look after the wellbeing of the smaller creature that we take under our care and you didn't fail him.

Keeping him in a smaller cage is a good thing, so he's less likely to hurt himself by flying around.

[Finch Fry]

It almost pains me to say this. But if its twirling and you have tried the suggested course of treatment to cure it without success (as outlined here http://www.finchniche.com/a-twirling2.php). You may want to consider humanely putting your bird to rest. The quality of life for such a bird is just terrible. And yes, you may have done nothing wrong, if I recall, its typically a genetic trait that becomes prevalent in inbred birds. Your gould has my sympathy.

[dfcauley]

It almost pains me to say this. But if its twirling and you have tried the suggested course of treatment to cure it without success (as outlined here http://www.finchniche.com/a-twirling2.php). You may want to consider humanely putting your bird to rest. The quality of life for such a bird is just terrible. And yes, you may have done nothing wrong, if I recall, its typically a genetic trait that becomes prevalent in inbred birds. Your gould has my sympathy.

I agree with Chris..... it is no life for a bird to live this way.

[B CAMP]

maru
How is your gouldian doing by now ?

[maru]

I am happy to tell you that my gouldian is better. He still turns his head around a little, but much less than days ago. I didn´t give him any treatment, since I don´t have the Timethropim Sulfa, which I read is the treatment, and, as I told you, he seems to be well, he sings and everything.
Anyway, I still have him in a very small cage, and I don´t think he is happy there. I don´t know if it is possible that he is cured, but I will keep you informed. If he seems better, I don´t know if I should put him with the rest, since I read that there is a possibility that it is a virus, but, as you said, it is almost sure it is genetic.
I am very happy to see him better, since I was also thinking in putting him to rest, although I didn´t know how to do it. But I am hopeful that he can get well, although I read that this usually doesn´t happen.

[cindy]

I am very glad he is doing better. I hope he contiues to improve and is able to go back into his regular cage soon.

[Animal Quackers]

I am thinking good thoughts for your little friend as well!

[B CAMP]

maru
Very glad that he is doing better good news for sure

Check this link and save it, you don't need it now but I think its something we all have to consider at times when there isn't any other choice hard to do but necessary
http://www.finchniche.com/a-culling.php

[CandoAviary]

Good news that your bird is improving. It is not really known what causes twirling. Even birds that are not inbred sometimes suffer from this. The timethroprim sulfa treatment is for mega bacteria which is thought to be the culprit... not inbreeding. Though it is rare and even rarer to have a bird regain health without treatment. Also inner ear infections that mimic twirling do not clear up on their own usually either. It definately sounds like your bird is suffering from 'stargazing'. this is a condition caused by keeping the bird in too small of a cage. Please try and offer this bird larger housing.
The stress of the small cage may eventually weaken the bird and cause other problems.