Good News (?) on Seizuring Dove

[birdlady49]

I thought I was going to lose my 20-year old ringneck dove, Carnation, who has had numerous grande mal seizures since mid-August.

Last night, she was acting as though something was stuck in her throat, constantly stretching her neck. Her crop felt impacted. She wasn't pooping as much as she should. And it was one o'clock in the morning.

I massaged her crop. I gave her some water. I gave her a little bit of warm handfeeding formula. I took away her seed and I put her in a padded carrier, keeping her next to my bed. Neither of us got much sleep. I was prepared to be at my avian vet's office when it opened. If she survived the night.

This morning, however, she acted as though nothing had happened. Apparently whatever was caught in her throat was gone. For the rest of the morning, I gave her only fresh food, water, and no seed. I gave her a small amount of formula.

The weird thing is that she has stopped seizuring. Now I'm wondering if she had aspirated a seed (probably safflower since that's her favorite) and it somehow got stuck and caused the seizures.

I'm weaning her off the phenobarbital, rather than going "cold turkey." She hasn't needed valium all day. Could we be finished with this awful condition that's been ongoing since mid-August? Keep your fingers and eyes crossed for us!

[Lisa B]

I am hoping you found what was bothering her!
thoughts and prayers coming your way!

[sparkysmom]

I hope your Carnation is still doing well. Man that would be a trip if it was a stuck seed.... But a good thing, if it is taken care of now.

I had no idea fids could take those kind of meds.

Let us know if she is still doing well.

[birdlady49]

Thursday the 11th at noon: Still no seizures (!) but I gave her pheno anyway (weaning her off the drug). Hopefully her eating will pick up a bit. I did give her .03 of water orally since her poops seemed to be a little dry. Yippee! So far so good.

[Lisa B]

thats great!

[birdlady49]

It's Friday at 10:30 a.m. Still no seizures. She appears to be eating a little better, especially when I put her grandfather with her. I'm starting to believe I might actually be right in my diagnosis about the embedded seed!

[swanwillow]

congrats! how scary. I've never heard of that before in birds. But, in us old humans, aspiration can be very dangerous.