Special Needs Birds...

[Monica]

Since I can't seem to get any sleep tonight (actually, I think I probably know why... but wont go into detail!), I thought I'd share an incident that happened yesterday...

Most of you know Noel, my cherry head conure, and how she is my 'special needs' birdy. She was attacked by a ferret about 9 years ago, which may have broken her wings, caused her permanent brain damage including a lack of stability and slightly blind in one eye, and may have even destroyed her spirit. I'm not 'self-diagnosing', just guessing as to what could have happened so many years ago... The damage that one can immediately see is a bare stomach (which she use to mutilate), and if you move the feathers on the back of her head, you will notice a bald spot. If you take a closer look at her eyes, you would be able to see that one looks slightly off than the other. You would also be able to tell that she does not have a firm grip, especially with one foot (more noticeable when she flaps). When I first got Noel, her balance was so bad, that while she was sleeping, she would lean too far forward and would accidentally fall off the perch.

Yesterday, I was rearranging a couple things on Noel and Casey's gym. Noel was at the highest point, which was 7' up. She freaked out, lost her footing, and went tumbling to the ground. She is fully 'flighted', no clipped feathers, and yet she still fell like a rag-doll simply because she cannot fly. Now to emphasis what I mean, it would be like taking a bird and cutting off ALL of their primary and secondary flight feathers. These birds will literally fall like a rock.

Noel had a pretty bad fall, so I watched her. She climbed back up most of the way on the gym, and I helped her to the top 'level'. She appeared fine, though since she wasn't moving around as usual, I knew she wasn't well. I tried to see if she would step up, however this time she could not, so I knew I had to pick her up around the body (something that she hates me doing). I put one hand around her stomach, and the other above her back. I gradually lifted her this way, with her feet momentarily dangling. Noel even spread her wings to try to balance herself out. I had to take Noel, and go sit down. I put her on my chest, and gave her scritches, and petted her, letting her know it was alright. Her feet began to clench up, her neck and head became stiff, and if I toughed her wings, or side, she would lift them trying to move away, but unable to because she was lying down.

I guess you could call this a seizure, as she would also flip out over moving light, or from my hand or something else moving. This may be caused by temporary blindness, as well. She even leaned primarily to one side, and I could feel her temperature rise.. It took Noel 5 minutes to calm down and get back to her normal self, or as normal as she could be. I checked her over and she seemed otherwise, physically, fine. This wasn't the first time that it has happened, and I doubt it would be the last. There are varying degrees of these incidents that she goes through, some that may take only a minute for her to calm down from. They are primarily caused by a bad fall as she cannot land or even glide...

To see a bird go through something like this, even if it was something that you couldn't prevent, is so heart wrenching that it tares at your heart. To see Noel go through this occasionally makes me cry as there is not much I can do accept to comfort her until she is better. I've been checking on her since this happened yesterday, and she does appear to be fine now....

She is my special needs bird, and I only whish I could take her around with me more often so that she could become socialized, and to teach others things that can happen when you let a bird and some other creature out together...

[danforth3]

Monica that is quite a history for Noel. It is sad when you cannot do more than offer comfort (my husband has seizure disorder and I know how helpless you feel). Sadly you are right that there is nothing to offer but comfort. At least she gets that and was not euthanized because of the problem.

I thought I read somewhere that they can give meds to birds with the disorder (results from brain damage--for my husband a car accident many years ago) if they become too frequent.

I'm glad Noel is better now. You are a very good bird mom in your care for Noel. She is very, very lucky to have found you. Hope you have a better day today Noel.

[Rue]

Ditto what Cathy said...you're doing your best and Noel is very lucky to have you. As long as Noel is enjoying life most of the time...sit out the bad time times and enjoy the good...

[Monica]

The option was there to euthanize her when this first happened, though the vet couldn't. Thankfully, these are not frequent, either as it doesn't normally happen more than a few times a year.

Noel is doing much better now, and well frankly, she's yelling for me! I better go and give her her food!

[Regina U.]

Monica,

Thank goodness you have Noel. You are such a great Mom. May she continue to get well with your care. You are very special!


Regina

[Stasia]

Poor Noel :( But it must be so comforting to her to have someone like you caring for her when she has to go through these things, I'm sure she's living a much better life because she's with you.

Stasia

[Monica]

I do believe her life has improved! In her previous home, she was in a metal cage with manzanita branches all at the same level as her food bowls, one rope toy out of reach unless she climbed, and was surrounded by cats and dogs. I know from my own experience that she doesn't seem to mind dogs, but she hates cats! Noel did come with apple bitter spray, and a fake finger so that the bites wouldn't hurt as bad! I tested the apple bitter spray with Noel, and it didn't stop her from mutilating herself. Needless to say, I through them both out, and worked with Noel bare handed! My hands received many wounds!

[Casa Amazona]

It really hurts to have one of our fids go through something like this. You're doing the right thing, though, picking her up and comforting her. You're so bright that I know you've done everything to make her cage safer for her when these things happen.

[mamalovesrico]

Oh Monica, this is so sad. Thank God you have Noel. She deserves you. Wish there was something I could do to take your pain away. Your story brought me to tears.

[basketbagley]

Oh Monica! Poor Noel! I didn't know her history before this everyone one is right you are the best thing for her! I would never be able to put her down either! She is your little angel sent from God! Praying are coming for both of you!