HELP! New baby just had a seizure!

[savagem13]

OK, I've been having an ongoing discussion in the Lovebird section about my new baby. Was concerned because the vet said he was underweight. He just had a seizure! I'm so upset! He was flying and just dropped down to the floor. When we picked him up his head was twisted like his neck was broken. He was out of it for a minute, but then started to come around. His neck isn't broken, obviously, because he was sitting normally on his perch. But it was definitely a seizure of some sort. He's sleeping now. The breeder said she'd take him back, but she is three hours one way, and I just spent $187.00 at the vet to have a Chlamydia test and sex testing, as well as a fecal done on him. If I bring him back all that $$$ goes to waste.

I'm also really worried about my other birds. Baby has been in a room with my parakeets because I don't have enough room to separate him totally. Hasn't had direct contact with any of my birds. Vet and others on this board seemed to think that pdd wasn't possible because baby is only 8 weeks old. Felt he would have died before now if he contracted pdd in the nest. But seizures are another sign of pdd, so now I'm freaked out again. What do I do?

[catschair]

I would take him back to the vet ASAP and make decisions about the breeder or treating your other birds after this medical situation is addressed.

[CrazyBirdLady]

Did your lovebird literally drop out of the air or did he hit something?

You need to contact your vet regarding this. Seizures can be caused by many things including Epilepsy. I have one lovebird that has seizures when afraid.

As for PDD; I've never heard of a lovebird getting it.

[Beaks]

Lovebirds do get PDD its just not reported because people dont want to waste the money for a necropsy.

[birdlady49]

It could be something as simple as a calcium deficiency.

[savagem13]

He has a cuttlebone--what else should I give him to make sure he has enough calcium?

[birdlady49]

Are you sure he's eating the cuttlebone on a regular basis? If not, try scraping some onto his soft food several times a week. But that's more of a maintenance than "emergency" treatment. If he eats birdie bread, add some egg with the shell. The shell has a ton of calcium.

When my dove was seizuring (poor Carnation ... rest in peace), my avian vet gave me neocalglucon, a liquid to put right into her mouth.

[savagem13]

I haven't seen any signs of him eating the cuttlebone. I also haven't seen any signs of seizure activity. The breeder has actually offered to meet me halfway to get him back to her and return my money. Then I'm just out the vet money. I'm wondering if I should take her up on it. My son loves the little guy, but how much worse would it be to have him REALLY get attached and then lose him from something really unpleaseant? Or watch him have seizures all the time? I just don't know what to do. My gut feeling is that something isn't right with this baby.

[4HAND]

I am not sure how old your son is,but as a mom I can offer this advice.My son is now 10.We've had various animals since he was born.Birds,cats,dogs,mice,guinea pigs,horses,fish,birds.Some strays,some rescues which we later rehomed,some our pets.He has seen old age,sickness and yes,death.I feel he will be a better,more compassionate person for it.There were times when the vet bills way exceded the cost of replacing the animal,but I wanted my son to learn this valuable lesson.....We do the best we can for those we love,hope for the best,be prepared for the worst.I hope your lovebird is ok.I hope you can see him through whatever is causing the seizures.
Tena

[birdlady49]

Originally Posted by savagem13

I haven't seen any signs of him eating the cuttlebone. I also haven't seen any signs of seizure activity. The breeder has actually offered to meet me halfway to get him back to her and return my money. Then I'm just out the vet money. I'm wondering if I should take her up on it. My son loves the little guy, but how much worse would it be to have him REALLY get attached and then lose him from something really unpleaseant? Or watch him have seizures all the time? I just don't know what to do. My gut feeling is that something isn't right with this baby.

Seizures can be sporatic at first, then increase in numbers and intensity. My dove, Carnation, had a seizure, then nothing for a week. Then two in a week, and on and on. Soon she was seizuring more than she was not. After a while, the meds weren't even very effective. Reluctantly I opted for euthanasia. You can't imagine how stressful it was. I was afraid to leave the house.

It would be tough, but I *would* take the breeder up on her offer. If she offers to replace the baby, make sure it's from a different pair ... just in case it's a genetic problem.