Poor Balance/Listing in Sick Hen

[MiaCarter]

Priscilla is sick.

This problem has been going on for a bit over a week.

At first, she was sitting lower than normal on the perch and her tail was tilted slightly to her left.

Then, I noticed she was sitting more on one leg than the other, again, listing slightly to her left.

It's getting progressively worse. Now, she has a very difficult time perching. Her balance is shot. She keeps wanting to list to the left.

She has been eating and drinking. Droppings normal. Normal breathing, etc.

She's been treated with Ronivet S and S76 in the past, with no new exposures.

Gave Amoxitex for 5 days, no improvement. Also provided heat, of course.

I'm afraid she's dying.

Any ideas?? I'll try to get a video.

My avian vet is away until next week.

[Corkysgirl]

It sounds like "twirling" It can be from many things. Have you fed her any new bugs lately? Have you changed her cage....stress can bring it on. A virus can cause it. An injury to the head. Inner ear infection. You don't have nystatin on hand...bird meds do you? My Gouldian is turning it’s head and losing its balance?
This is a condition called "twirling syndrome". The onset is sudden with conspicuous circling followed by depression and weight loss. Mortality may reach 50%. Some birds recover completely while others retain a permanent head tilt. I personally believe that in 80% of the cases it is caused by stress, be it housing, diet, mate, or environnment. To date I have NOT nor has there ever been any known scientific proof that twirling is a genetic disorder. Read more in the article on ‘Twirling’. I have a lot more info, just wanted to get this to you first. Help! My bird cannot seem to hold its head up straight/is having difficult balancing (dizziness)/is spinning around on the floor! What is wrong and what can I do?
The symptoms described above are frequently referred to as twirling. Twirling is a symptom that has been linked with several causes. Ear infections are a possible culprit. In this case, the prognosis is good. An avian vet can prescribe an antibiotic to treat the infection and over time, the bird will probably recover. Nystatin is one antibiotic frequently mentioned for treating the ear infection. In other cases, Twirling has been attributed to some type of virus. Because little is known about the virus/viruses causing Twirling, the prognosis is not good. Paramyxovirus has been proposed as a possible cause that may lead to this condition. Another cause of this symptom could be some type of head injury.

[Corkysgirl]

Here is another link that might have info that may help you. I know http://www.finchniche.com/features_twirling.php
ladygouldianfinch had the medicine and can overnight it if you need it. http://www.finchniche.com/product_medistatin.php You can also call Laraine and ask her questions. She's very helpful. 770-939-4531.

[MiaCarter]

I thought of that too.
I've seen twirling/stargazing before in a gouldian and it was very different (the bird literally had his head at the strangest upside down angle.)

This is a bit different. Definitely not as severe and a slightly different manifestation. Do you think it could be twirling even so?

Even while sitting in her nest, she holds one wing higher than the other. So it seems as though her balance is off even while sitting.

No stressors recently. No changes in diet. Nothing new or different.

What's odd is she seems okay otherwise. Chirping when the others chirp. Eating, drinking, etc. She's just not as active due to the balance issues. She can't really perch anymore, so she's either in her nest or on the floor eating.

I just tossed a jar of nystatin a couple weeks ago; it was expired.

[MiaCarter]

Thanks for the links!
Just ordered:
- NV powder
- Nystatin
- Trimethoprim Sulfa

So hopefully one of those should do the trick.

Any other ideas?

[Corkysgirl]

You're welcome. I do still think it's that. From what I read, it doesn't have to be extreme, just can be head tilting, balance loss. It can be a virus and not be able to be helped...or a head injury...unlikely. But...the meds are the best things to start with. They can't hurt. Even if they are expired, don't throw them out in an emergency, they may help. Most things can be used beyond the expiration date. I hope she gets better for you.

[Corkysgirl]

MiaCarter Do you give her vitamins? She may need B-12 so a vitamin that has it in it. Also until your meds arrive, you can put some apple cider vinegar into her water. If you have Braggs organic it's the best. A couple drops into her water might kill some yeast and give her a head start until you get your order.

[Corkysgirl]

MiaCarter also until you get the NV Powder, give her electrolytes in whatever form you can, be it Pedialyte or home made because she may need minerals.

[MiaCarter]

Yeah, I'm kicking myself for tossing that medicine. Expired medicine is usually better than no medicine!

Indeed, I give everyone vitamins in the water. I'd be shocked if it was a vitamin deficiency as she is one of my best eaters. She eats a wide variety of foods.

Sadly, Priscilla has always been sickly. She and her sister Maggie were both rescues and they have both been sick more times than I can count. And seriously sick...like sitting in the food bowl or cage bottom sick. They've bounced back when I never thought they would too. But this is bad. The only reason I'm still hopeful is that she's eating and seems in good spirits (e.g. vocalizing).

[Corkysgirl]

The site I read said she might need extra vitamin B-12...that's why I mentioned the vitamins. Try the vinegar. It may do what the nystatin would do...somewhat.

[debbie276]

You can also call Laraine and ask her questions. She's very helpful. 770-939-4531.

Just for future reference, Laraine's site is in Atlanta Georgia not the link you posted Here's Laraine's https://ladygouldian.com/

The links you posted are Joanne and Myra's site in California

[CommaHolly]

Poor Priscilla I hope you get whatever meds she needs quickly, and that SOMETHING works

[Corkysgirl]

Thanks debbie276 I usually just look through my email to contact Laraine directly and just copied and pasted...wrong one. MiaCarter How is she today?

[MiaCarter]

Corkysgirl -- She's about the same.

Still not perching and spending most of the day in her nest.
Her mate is so sweet. He sits on the edge of the nest all day, preening her and fussing over her.

She seems in good spirits, though. She'll start tweeting as the others vocalize.
She lives in the crazy nest with all the millet sprays. So I gave Elvis a couple new millet sprays and he immediately brought them up and added them to the nest, so she can easily reach them and she's been snacking on them while in the nest. So she can eat without going down.

[Corkysgirl]

Awww that's so sweet! I hope the meds get there soon. I'm sending you a pm.