Advise for LG Finch with tilted head

Jonw · Post by **Jonw** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 3:05 am

About two months ago a male LG I have was helping feed his babies and started to tilt his head....it has gotten worse and I'm not sure what to do.

His head now is about 90 degrees from normal, and he flies around almost in circles. I have treated him for air sac mites with S76 but don't know what else to do. I feel sorry for him and wonder if I should put him down or if there is something else I should try. any suggestions would be appreciated...if the vote is to euthanize, what is the most humane to do this?

He eats and drinks just fine and seems normal in all other aspects.

Jon

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 9:09 am

If he is eating and drinking fine and is not fluffed up sitting / sleeping on the perch most of the time - then I would think he is not in much (if any) pain.

I've no idea what it could be from but as he does not appear to be suffering, I would not put him down.

DVBourassa · Post by **DVBourassa** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:25 am

It sounds like you are talking about twirling.

http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/features_twirling.mgi

http://www.finchniche.com/f-twirling.mgi

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:42 pm

Dear god.. this is terrible. Its almost freaky looking like from a horror movie with their heads 90 and 180 degrees rotated!!!

I do not know what to say. Such a poor quality of life for a bird. I would be very hard pressed to put him down but at the same time, you are doing him a favor. Def dont breed him and cut out those terrible genes from moving along. I dont know if you can do this or not, but it might be useful to post WHO did this so we know not to purchase from him. This kind of inbreeding is quite terrible.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:54 pm

I agree those movies are difficult to watch. If your bird is like those, then some action needs to be taken. Can you confirm if it's as bad as in those videoclips? Have you had the bird long?

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 3:40 pm

SOLUTION!!!

If you read the links that DVBourassa has posted, it will lead you to an article for a potential cure. I would definitely try this. I have copy and pasted the link below plus the pertinent information to resolve this issue...

http://www.finchniche.com/f-twirling2.mgi

"So I treated the BIRDS with NYSTATIN 100,000 U SUSPENSION, 5 drops per 1 oz. water. Nystatin is usually administered directly into the bird’s beak at 1 drop twice daily, but I didn't want to stress out the bird by catching & handling him."

This guy is claiming 4 successes. 3 of them were upon immediately noticing this problem, one of them was after months of the onset of stargazing/whirling. In that case, the response took some time, not a day or 2 like the other 3.

I hope you try this method. Please keep us posted on this situation I would love to see a happy ending to this!

fairestfinches · Post by **fairestfinches** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:54 pm

The head tilt can be from "twirling" or an infection.

"twirling" is genetic and there is no cure. It's a neurological problem and antibiotics will not help it. It will simply get worse over time. There is no way to know how fast it will progress.

If it is an infection there have been some people that have had some luck curing the head tilt.

All you can do is try the antibiotics and if there is no improvement then you'll know it is "twirling."

Sean

Jonw · Post by **Jonw** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:55 am

My LG is getting worse...circling around the bottom of the cage...I've read the articles about antibiotics but think it's too late for that...does anyone know a painless way to euthanize this poor bird...I hate to see it suffer.

I have two birds from the same breeder and two fledges.....I'll be keeping these birds and NOT breeding them..guess they will just live a long life mateless....I do not want to bring twirling into my bird breeding program. I will notify the breeder of this but only see him advertise in the local paper.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 4:46 am

Popinto your local vets and ask them to do the dirty deed if you find yourself unable to do it...well worth the money to keep your peace of mind.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:23 am

poohbear wrote:Popinto your local vets and ask them to do the dirty deed if you find yourself unable to do it...well worth the money to keep your peace of mind.

I agree, if you can't do it, a vet will do it quickly for you and peace of mind is worth everything.

There is an article on culling that you might want to be prepared for if this should happen again. If you are breeding birds, I think you need to be ready for these things. I learned the hard way.

http://www.finchniche.com/f-culling.mgi

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 10:24 am

I agree with donna,you need to be prepaired cause something could go wrong again in the future .But i think thats the only decision you have at the time good luck

Jonw · Post by **Jonw** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 1:31 pm

The whole thing is making ME sick....I once had a 12 year old Great Dane and took her in THREE times to be euthanized. The first two times I chickened out and left the vet. The third time they convinced me it was best and sat with me as I cried...I horrible thing but more humane than we treat our own. I've watched while several family members have died after long battles with cancer..guess we are more thoughtful with our pets!

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:15 pm

It is hard, but seeing them suffer is worse.