I have just written a piece on the fact that some budgies suffer from seizures (epilepsy), how to identify it and the possibilities of what can be done to try to find the cause and cure the bird.

I thought some of you might find it interesting, so I'm including it here.

Note that sometimes after all tests are done, the end result could very well be that the cause cannot be identified and therefore there would be no medical cure in sight.

 

Seizures may be mild to severe, frequent or infrequent. The best way I can describe it is that it is to do with some temporary "cross wiring" in the brain.

Normally it would first start off at night where the bird would fall off its perch, you'd hear a bit of a commotion and find the bird on the floor of the cage and often still.

Then it would move around the floor of the cage flapping its wings in a shuffling motion with its body slightly tilted to one side. After a while the bird would be able to control its movements, settle down , find its way back to the perch and then act as if nothing had happenned. In severe cases it might do this 3 times in a night.

 

If ever you come across a bird displaying these symptoms, the bird should be taken to an Avian Veterinarian for a thorough examination.

It would probably be kept for a few days for observation.

(The bird should not be taken to a local Vet who primarily deals with dogs & cats).

 

I have done some research into possible causes and below is an extract of my findings.

Remember I am not an Avian Veterinarian and as I said above, sometimes the cause cannot be found and therefore there is generally no possibility of cure. In these circumstances one would only hope that the attacks are infrequent and not severe and maybe just disappear by themselves.

 

Blood tests would confirm if a bird tested positive for some of the issues below.

"Some of the more common causes of seizures include central nervous system diseases such as brain tumor or infection, head trauma, liver disease, diet deficient in calcium and toxicity from lead, zinc and certain insecticides which indicates heavy metal poisoning."

Everyone owning a pet bird should check that there is no rust on your bird's cage or on metal toys (bells etc.)

Thanks for that. I never thought of epilepsy affecting birds, though I know dogs can suffer it. That's something to keep in mind

Thats Great Gil thanks for the information. I hope though none of our readers will come across this.

Thank you Gil. Epilepsy in birds is not something I normally would think about, although I know it occurs. What do you think would be the most common cause? Heavy metal poisoning? Good idea to have everyone double-check the condition of their cages and make sure all toys you buy are bird-safe. Things to think about too would be what your bird has access to that may contain lead or another metals dangerous to birds. I know drapery weights contain lead, as do fishing weights.

Sadly, I have seen this very thing. It happened a number of times to my little Albert before he passed, exactly as Gil described it. On describing his symptoms to the vet, the high possibility of seizures was diagnosed. Unfortunately a tumour was also present (or at least a growth of some kind) on his kidneys. Unfortunately, knowing nothing of Alberts breeding, it was not possible to check whether or not other chicks or relatives from that litter also suffered seizures. Also, with little Alberts brutal history prior coming to find sanctuary with me, it was highly possible that he'd had a head injury in the past. I sometimes wish Id had a necropsy done on Albert, but I decided against his little body had been destroyed enough in the past. But yes, seizure DO happen in budgies, Ive witnessed it :hap:

I've seen seizures in one of my budgies as they were dying and it was the most terrifying thingi've ever seen and it really disturbed me. :ausb: I hope never to see it again.

I just wanted to add this link to this topic as I think it is very important for all to know.

 

http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/metals.htm

Excellent information, unfortunately I have seen many birds suffering seizures for all different reasons (brain injuries mostly) but there has been some unexplained incidents which very well may have been epilepsy.

the older members on here might remember that i have a bird that suffers fron seizures she is now 4 or 5 years old and lives with the other birds in my retirement flights she seems quite happy

my doggie has seizeirs i did not no budgies could have them she started having them about 3yrs ao but avre now less frequint