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FreyrStrongart
Egg
Joined: 06 Jul 2005
Posts: 5
Location: Switzerland |
| epileptic african grey? |
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I have an african grey since he was three months old. he is now twelve. I keep him alone but he has the run of the whole flat. So far I have never had major problems with illnesses or behavioral problems (except the normal need to chew anything that comes within reach of the beak that is).
About two years ago he had a strange attack where he suddenly began to growl, then scream as if in intense pain, then he fainted. After a few minutes he recuperated and I could not discover anything amiss with him except that his left pupil sometimes looks as if ink had spilled. Otherwise he was fine, cheeky as ever, feeding properly, no problems with his excrements.
Almost a year later the attack repeated, this time without the screaming... but he began to lose his balance and almost fell of his perch, shook his head, seemed to be swallowing and his heart raced. A minute or two later it was over, he regained balance, was a few minutes longer a bit anxious but soon returned to his normal behaviour. That day he had three more of these seizures and since then they have become more frequent. Usually there are none for several months and then he might have one or even two at one day. The last he had yesterday early in the morning. Unfortunately I had to go to work so I don't know whether he had any more during the day.
I would like to know whether anybody has had a similar experience or an idea what this might be. There aren't any avian specialists close to where I live (at least not any I wish to consult a second time) so I thought I first take a sounding as the need of treatment doesn't seem to be imminent... or impossible, if my direst fears come true. |
Wednesday July 6, 2005 6:54 am |
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dim1g
Flutterer
Joined: 15 Mar 2005
Posts: 126
Location: Chicago |
wow, i wish i had an answer for you other than that i would say you'll probably be forced to take him to an avian vet to be sure and to be safe... but maybe you could try calling one that is further away and find out the vet's opinion that way? you won't be able to be sure that your bird will even seize when the vet can observe him, if months can go by without one. oh, how scary... my only thoughts are that what you describe sure sounds like the epileptic attacks that a friend's dog used to have (too long ago for me to find her and ask questions now). best of luck - he sounds like an awesome bird.
dim |
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Wednesday July 6, 2005 10:17 am |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7972
Location: Australia |
Oh I'm so sorry to hear that it's happening to your poor grey. 
I would agree with what Dim said. I would probably ring an avian vet a bit further away and see what they say about that. So sorry I can't help you anymore. Good luck with it. |
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Wednesday July 6, 2005 3:58 pm |
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dim1g
Flutterer
Joined: 15 Mar 2005
Posts: 126
Location: Chicago |
| alarming worry |
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i just had a thought, and haven't yet researched it, but some kind of metallic poisoning might produce such seizures in birds... you mentioned that he has free run of your flat - there is something he could be ingesting that causes the seizing. i would call a knowledgeable avian vet as soon as you possibly can. there are chelating agents that can remove buildup of dangerous levels of metals in birds as long as the condition is caught in time. i would call TODAY, if you can. the condition is obviously worsening.
dim |
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Wednesday July 6, 2005 6:52 pm |
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FreyrStrongart
Egg
Joined: 06 Jul 2005
Posts: 5
Location: Switzerland |
| food poisoning? |
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I have been wondering whether food might be part of the problem... one reason I wanted to see first if others had had similar experiences. For example I feed him a risp of millet every day... but I do not always get the same product and frankly I have been wondering whether especially the really luscious risps might not be containing insectizides or fungizides... they just look too good. He also doesn't like all of them equally well...
I will see whether I can consult a vet tomorrow... |
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Thursday July 7, 2005 5:24 am |
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fionam
Moderator
Joined: 29 Mar 2005
Posts: 1757
Location: Surrey, UK |
Hi,
Welcome Here,
I am so sorry for your Grey, Sounds such a lovely bird. I agree with Dim1g & Cheeta...
Please Please contact an Avian Vet as soon as possible....
Hope all goes well
Best Wishes
Fi |
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Thursday July 7, 2005 5:34 am |
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