I.R legs paralised, one dead. Been to vet. HELP.

[nadapantle]

HI
about 3 months ago we took our indian ringneck (blue male) to the vet as he lost some feathers on his head and upper chest. They took a scraping of skin. They told us they sent the sample away and there was nothing there. They advised us to get 3 females so the male/female ratio was even. All seemed ok. I found him dead two days ago. This morning his mate (also a male) was on the bottom of the cage with complete paralysis of the legs. He is eating a little bit, but is obviously distressed. I thought I had been looking after them well: they live with other birds (budgies, and Australian red caps, weeros) in a two storey avairy, amply flying room, reticulation watering twice per day (including a mist spray, which they have been bathing in), seeds daily, branches, leaves, fruit and vegies 3 times per week) etc - I've been doing this routine for two years. One female has bred with one of the other males and seems happy. The weeros are breeding heaps. I thought the other ringnecks were happy too. What is happening? Can you reply by also sending a copy to my email address if that is ok? Yes Of course I'll take him to the vet on Monday but there is no avian specialist here in Broome - everything has to be 'sent away'. Just hoping to get some advise on acute treatment.
Thank you.
Distressed.

[Winged_Victory]

Paralysis is a sign of heavy metal poisoning. Check your cage for paint chips, bells on toys for lead inside the bell. Has your bird been in a cage with galvanized wire? Has it been around anything toxic like; certain plants, paint fumes, Teflon, hair spray, etc.? A X-ray will determine if there is metal in the bird. Things like a severe infection, sprain, falling, may cause major swelling that can pinch a nerve and cause paralysis.

These are all guesses on my part, not seeing the bird. If it were my bird I would add aloe-detox to his water and even put it on bread if he will eat it. You can get aloe-detox at a good health food store. Aloe-detox will help cleanse the birds internal organs of toxins should it have any, it also has some antibiotic properties. Detox is safe, we use it here for our birds for many things as well as to detoxify their systems every six moths.

Please see your avian vet for an in depth examination.

Gary

[nadapantle]

Thank you - I will try it immediately.

[catschair]

I am so sorry -- what a nightmare. I would suggest putting your male in the refrigerator if you have not disposed of the remains, and asking for a necropsy. If it is heavy metal, the vet can give you a chelating agent. I have friends who have had reasonable luck with such treatment. Hope your other babies are doing ok. Sending good thoughts!

[Lisa B]

I would also suspect heavy metal poisioning.

[Lori~D]

Ditto on the metal. Whats the Aviary wire made of?

[catschair]

I was going to ask for an update, but I guess it is still the wee small hours of Monday in Aus -- thinking of you and your babies!

[Winged_Victory]

Hi,

If you have looked around and have seen there may be reason for lead or metal poisoning, try and get your bird to eat peanut butter, it coats the metal and helps it pass through the digestive tract.

Here is a link to look at: Cases from our Clinic: Lead Poisoning in a Bird

This does not replace conventional treatment from your vet.

Gary

[Monica]

I would guess possible metal toxicity as well.... although some other causes could be Newcastle Disease (don't know if it's in Australia or not), central nervous system disorders, or a tumor (easily searchable doing 'parrot leg paralysis' or similar).

Any updates yet?

[nadapantle]

hi
thank you for the replies. I think you are right! The first blue male is dead - poor thing, and his mate (also male) was so bad that he was pulling himself along by his beak as his legs and wings were totally paralized. I put him in another smaller cage and put food, water and Aloe Vera (from a plant I have growing) where he could get it without moving much. He ate it. The next day I expected him to be dead but he looked to be a bit more upright, though legs still paralized. Yesterday he was still alive and walking around. Today he can fly. I can't believe it.

Anyway, I did have some new wire installed about 10 days ago - same type of wire I had before just newer. Approx 3 meters of it I painted with an enamel spray paint prior to installation (could the paint have done it - i didn't see the birds on it?). I also had a new wind chime (yes, metal on it). And two chickens in the bottom area - they have been there for approx 3 months).

So, I removed the wind chime, and put aloe vera leaves in there for them to nibble on. I will give them some peanut butter too! Should I put him back in with the other birds?

Thanks so much for the replies. I would NEVER have thought of metal poisoning.

Any more tips you guys/gals can think of?

So nice to write to a site and get so much help. Thank you. Thank you.
Nada x