Balance disorders can be caused by a range of complaints. A good history is of great importance, coupled with a clinical examination.
Depending on the history and clinical examination, there are various examination options.
- Naturally, trauma in the case of balance disorders is a known cause of the bird flying into something with force. This can also happen at night due to a strong startle reaction.
- In birds purchased from the trade, we must take into account viral infections such as the Borna virus, which is known to be the cause of PDD, also called Glandular Dilatation Syndrome. The symptoms and mortality can sometimes only manifest themselves after years. In those cases, it is very important to ultimately have a definitive diagnosis in a stock of parrots because of possible consequences for the other birds, for purchase or sale. Unfortunately, a definitive diagnosis can often only be made after the bird has died.
- In case of infections with the Beak and Feather Rot Disease virus, caused by the Circovirus, we can also see balance disorders and paralysis symptoms, especially in young Gray Redstarts.
- In parakeets with balance disorders, we must take Paramyxovirus 3 into account. It is a contagious disease to which the Australian neophema parakeets are especially susceptible. An infectious disease for which there is no treatment. There is also no vaccine available.
- It is legally required that imported birds must be quarantined due to the risk of the introduction of pseudo-avian influenza virus (NCD) as a threat to poultry farming. Balance disorders can also occur with this disease. If the disease is detected, the birds are killed.
- Bacterial infections can also cause balance disorders in meningitis or middle ear infections.
- There are also examples of fungal infections in the Central Nervous System that can cause balance disorders.
- We also see balance disorders in extremely emaciated birds and in birds with anemia.
- Tumors can be the cause of balance disorders. This includes brain tumors, but also tumors that hinder blood circulation. It is known that kidney tumors can cause unilateral paralysis of one leg, causing birds to fall over and have difficulty maintaining balance.
The majority of the complaints that we see in parrots/parakeets and other birds that are kept as pet birds are the result of serious nutritional deficiencies, whereby we also have to take into account symptoms of poisoning due to agricultural poisons in the seed mixtures. We already see many complaints occurring between the ages of 5 and 10.
In domestic birds we must take into account poisoning caused by poisonous plants. We must be wary of the fumes and odors of poisonous plants. Metal poisoning, in which lead and zinc poisoning in particular, can play a role, while the first reaction of the owner is always that this is not the case. We have seen examples of eating silver paint or gold paint from, for example, a frame around a mirror
In case of serious liver damage or liver degeneration, we must also take into account balance disorders due to damage to the Central Nervous System. Birds can then make a “drunk” impression. In “older” parrots we must take into account cardiovascular diseases where heart muscle degeneration and arteriosclerosis can be important causes of balance disorders, often in combination with shortness of breath.
The youngest African Grey at the Clinic for Birds where serious arteriosclerosis was found during the autopsy was only 7 years old.
As described in the information package, we see that serious metabolic problems often occur within a period of 5-10 years in parrots that have been fed the wrong diet. A factor that plays a role is that most parrots with problems also spend little or no time outside and have structurally had too little sunlight.
Moulting and feather abnormalities are often very noticeable. All kinds of vague complaints have often been present for a long time, eventually manifesting themselves in abnormalities of the Central Nervous System. We see these complaints of the Central Nervous System in some species such as Gray Redstarts, Lovebirds, Budgerigars and Amazons more often than in other species. It can resemble epilepsy attacks with "falling off the perch", cramps, paralysis, balance disorders and blindness.
In some species, such as Gray Redstarts, Hypocalcaemia is a known metabolic disorder, with or without a selenium deficiency. In addition, we must take into account if pupae are hormonally active and start to mobilize Calcium or have laid eggs, which may cause a shortage of circulating Calcium.
Recovery
Depending on the cause, the extent of the damage, the duration of the complaints and the treatment options, parrots may or may not fully recover. After trauma, the prognosis is somewhat comparable to the recovery options of people after a cerebral infarction
The birds are initially placed in a warm/humid incubator and given supplements including calcium, selenium, vitamin E, etc. Initially, liquid food is often given through a tube. It is important that the birds switch to good food, free of toxins.
In the home situation, an adapted cage will have to be created with low sticks and branches for the bird to hold on to. It is important that the cage is not too large or too high to prevent birds with balance disorders from climbing a lot with the risk of falling.
Supplemental heat is important. It is also good that birds come outside as often as possible to benefit from sunlight. Supplements are given through the diet to support recovery.
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