Stargazing disease information?

[chinniechantel]

I have noticed odd behavior in my new mobrella cockatoo. Then someone suggested I look up stargazing...and that is Larry to a T. I am very scared, and have not read anywhere about a cockatoo getting this disease. How can I help him? I read about antibiotics, what is the best? I want to be prepared when I go to the vet. Does anyone have any good suggestions in south Florida? I read a good diet is necessary, what is most important?

He was only on seeds for at least 2 years, now he is on a good diet but I have only had him for 2 weeks. No wonder he seemed more comfortable in a small cage or a carrier. We have him in a large carrier that is completely enclosed for part of the day and that is when he seems most comfortable...it must be because he can't perch well and likes to feel safe. He freakes out in a big cage. I feel so bad for him. He can eat and drink fine now, but what if he gets worse? I am scared he will die. I love him so much.

Is it illegal to sell a sick bird? Should I be able to get my money back? I think I should at least get the money I pay at the vet. Not that I want to return him, but it just seems wrong to sell a sick bird to someone. And the fact that it was caused by their negligence makes me really mad. They should have brought him to the vet.

[Angelsmum]

I can not help you on this but you have posted this 4 times. This forum goes funny about this time each day telling us that posts haven't gone through, that it is a double post etc.
I hope someone can be in to help you soon.

[kali]

I have never even heard of this disease before. Sorry.

[Angelsmum]

I found this

Symptoms:

"Stargazers" constantly throw their head back, sleep with their heads between their legs; go around in a circle; look at the ceiling, turn their heads around in a circle and look up.

Stargazing can strike at random and without warning or past history of problems.

Finches are particularly susceptible - although other species have been diagnosed with it.


Progression:

* In some birds, the condition may correct itself over time or may be corrected given certain condition ...:
o ... if it was caused by poor positioning inside the egg / poor egg condition (may only be a consideration if a bird was born with this condition)
o ... condition may be reversed is if the root cause is malnutrition and it is corrected
o ...resolution might be achieved through successfully treatment protocol (antibiotic treatments, etc.).

If this condition is left uncorrected, the following progression) can be expected:

* Inability to fly.
* Loss of balance/equilibrium. Falls off the perch.
* Difficulty moving around in cage
* Can't find food or water - resulting in starvation
* The end result of stargazing is almost always death.


What Cause Stargazing / Twirling?

First AidA definite cause has not been identified as of yet; however, the following are suspected:

* Egg positioning (?)
* Viral / bacterial or yeast infection
* Chemical imbalance
* Vitamin and/or mineral (nutritional) deficiency; Vitamin D deficiency (lack of natural sunlight exposure). Too much calcium can result in a ‘drunken bird' look
* Genetic predisposition
* Inner-ear problem


Treatment for Stargazing

The following treatments have been reported as being fairly effective:

1. Nystatin
2. Trimethoprim Sulfa
3. Vitamin B 12 to strengthen the nervous system
4. Enhanced nutrition to correct any nutritional deficiencies


Prevention of Stargazing

The following steps will be an important step in not only preventing this disease, but others too.

1. Prevent birds which carry the genetic predisposition for this disease from breeding so that they cannot pass this condition on to their offspring
2. Provide the best nutrition possible.
3. Provide uncontaminated water and clean air
4. Keep your bird's environment clean


http://www.avianweb.com/stargazing.html

[Angelsmum]

Double post

[chinniechantel]

Sorry about the double posts. Thank you for the information, I have found the stuff online but it is not much, only what Angelsmum wrote. Does anyone have any personal experience with this?

[Greycloud]

No experience but did some investigating. Stargazing is not really a disease but a symptom of a disease. All of theseconditions are kind of scarey. Heavy metal poisoning, Newcastles disease and polyoma virus just to name a few. I think you need to take your guy in for a full checkup again and discuss this with your Avian vet. Not just a regular vet. I am very concerned for your your guy and I hope all turns out well. Definitely keep this bird far away from other birds in quarentine.

[brdfvr]

I was working at the University when I was in college and one of the professors was doing research on this disease in chickens. It is largely genetic, but can be related somewhat to diet. Not sure there is much you can do but live with it. It is not hurting him, unless he can't find food or water but it just interferes with their perching ability.

[cbalvino]

I just lost a 7wk old teil to this problem,I thought it was CUTE so I even filmed him sleeping with his head back,the next day he was on the cage bottom, called my AV,he needed food per AV,had gotten some pedialyte in but he passed shortly after.I had never heard of this "symptom" before either,AV thinks that after they had started to fledge parents we're not feeding properly? I watched the other one VERY closley and told the parents "I am weighing this baby very day" if he loses a tiny bit I'm taking him downstairs with me! He is big and fat and no problems.....But I sure learned something it broke my heart to lose the other

[MissV]

Sounds more like a disorder than a disease.

Well, if you look at the list of dangers, the good thing is your 'too seems to not be suffering from those.

Gather this info and whatever else you can to take to the vet...make sure it's a certified Avian vet since this disorder/disease doesn't seme to be widly understood.


If he's malnutritioned though, it's going to take longer than just 2 weeks to get him good and healthy, so keep that in mind.


It is not illegal to sell a sick animal to anyone, but it can be fraud if the animal was misrepresented as healthy. If you really want to pursue this, you can contact a lawyer. You will have to take the seller to court, as it's not an automatic criminal/misdemeanor charge.

You'll have to testify that the 'too was misrepresented as healthy to you and have records of the vet costs. If you wish to keep the bird (please do!) you may only be able to recoup your losses on the vet. But please please don't return him to that home.


If you feel you can't do with taking care of this baby, I'm sure there are rescues around where you are that would be willing to give him the care he needs.


Good luck with whatever your decisions is. I agree that it was wrong of this woman to accept money for a bird without explaining its issues, but you still have hope of nurturing him and bringing him back from this. Also, remember that court is expensive, although for the cost of the vet and even the bird you can probably do small claims and forgo a lawyer.

Loser of the case usually pays the court fee, in that case.