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Ataxia in birds can cause problems to the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system. Within the nervous system, damage is often done to the spinal cord, brain or inner ear. This damage will result in the brain’s inability to perceive the physical position of the bird’s body, head and limbs. It can also cause the brain to be unable to coordinate movement. When the musculoskeletal system becomes damaged, your bird will be uncoordinated since the muscles themselves are not able to properly respond to the signals that the brain is sending.
When a bird is suffering from ataxia, they have the inability to coordinate their voluntary muscles. They will appear clumsy and will stand with their legs splayed apart for balance or they may use their beak as a hook on the side of their cage to stay balanced. Birds that are severely ataxic will not be able to sit on their perch without falling off, they may also not be able to walk without stumbling or falling over.
It can be alarming to see your bird suffering from a lack of coordination or stumbling around. This is a serious condition that needs to be immediately addressed by your veterinarian. If you notice your bird acting strangely or exhibiting any of these symptoms, call your veterinarian for an appointment.
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There are several nervous system and musculoskeletal system disorders that can cause ataxia. Generally, ataxia is one of the first symptoms of nerve or spinal cord damage. Damage to peripheral nerves or the spinal cord will have symptoms that are localized to the affected appendages and will have a normal level of mental activity.
Musculoskeletal damage may also cause your bird to seem uncoordinated. This is because the muscles are not able to respond appropriately to the signals that are coming from your bird’s brain. Many times this happens because there are nutrient deficiencies such as vitamin E, calcium or selenium.
Birds that are chronically ill from diseases may also appear ataxic. There is always an underlying cause when ataxia is present that must be addressed by your veterinarian.
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Your veterinarian will begin the appointment by asking you questions about your bird’s medical history and their environment. You will need to let your veterinarian know when you noticed the symptoms and if they are constant or intermittent.
A thorough physical examination will be done by your veterinarian. They will also recommend that specific diagnostic tests be completed to determine the severity of the ataxia and the underlying cause. Tests that may be recommended include:
Radiographs may be ordered by your veterinarian. This will allow them to look for any metabolic diseases or any damage that may have occurred to your bird’s spinal cord. Ultrasounds can also be used, but most veterinarians will recommend x-rays before ultrasounds.
Endoscopy may be ordered to look at the middle and inner ears for infections or any abnormalities. The abdominal cavity will also be scoped to look for any evidence of a metabolic disease.
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Once the diagnosis has been made, your veterinarian will probably recommend hospitalization for your bird during their treatments. This is done to provide supportive care for your bird while they are ill.
While hospitalized, your bird will receive intravenous fluids and injectable medications. In some instances, depending on the severity of their illness, your bird may also need subcutaneous fluids to keep them from becoming dehydrated. Subcutaneous fluids are injected under the skin, not into a vein.
Your bird will be given antibiotics and/or antifungal medications depending on the type of underlying illness that has been identified. Medications that are chelating agents may be given if your veterinarian found heavy metal toxicity in your bird.
Nutritional support will be provided including giving extra vitamins and minerals to promote healing and a healthy immune system. Your bird will also be kept within a warming chamber to keep their body temperature regulated and keep them more comfortable.
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When your bird is diagnosed as ataxic, that is generally one of the first symptoms of a serious illness. Take precautions with your bird if you notice they are exhibiting signs of ataxia until you can get them in to see your veterinarian. You should keep your bird calm and in a quiet environment, remove perches and swings, put food and water close to your bird in shallow dishes.
Depending on the diagnosis of the underlying cause, your bird’s prognosis will vary. Once your veterinarian has diagnosed the illness and begun treatments, they will be able to give you a more accurate prognosis for your bird.
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Ask a Vet
Jacobin Pigeon
Not sure. Not younger than 2 years.
Unknown severity
6 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
I noticed yesterday that he was stumbling a little. I took him out of his draw and put him on the floor to see what was wrong. He kept stumbling and flapping while trying to walk. He stopped eating and drinking on his own. I hand feed and give him water. He looks fine as in he can stand still and look around, but as soon as he starts walking it goes bad... I don't know what to do. He is still bright, but I worry that he won't be soon...
Sept. 29, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
6 Recommendations
Thank you for your question, I'm sorry that your bird is not feeling well. Since birds don't tend to show signs of illness until they are quite sick, it would be a good idea to have your bird seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. There are many possible causes for what you're describing, and they will be able to examine your bird and narrow down what might be going on for you. Once they know more what's happening, they will be able to let you know what treatment might need to happen. I hope that all goes well.
Sept. 29, 2020
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Budgie
One Year
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
What should I do to receiver my budgie? he is not able to move his legs nor he is able to fly
Sept. 29, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, without being able to examine your bird, I do not know how to make it better so that he can walk or fly. There may be a toxicity, a parasite, a trauma, or an infection causing this problem. It would be best to have your bird seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible, as they will be able to examine him and see what might be going on. I hope that all goes well for your bird.
Oct. 1, 2020
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Blue bugeriger
At least 3 years old
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
What is wrong with my bird
Sept. 26, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. Since I cannot see your bird, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 15, 2020
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Budgie
Three Years
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Why is my budgie falling off the perch. Why is my budgie always chirping.
Sept. 25, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. I hope that your pet is feeling better. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 23, 2020
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Parakeet
1 week old
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
My one week old baby bird that had to be fostered as the mother was having a hard time keeping the babies fed well on her own and the father had to be Removed after killing 2. This baby had been shaking really bad but was standing on its own. I figured it was deficient in nutrients so I tried fostering to another mother with 4 other babies. The mother is feeding it no problem but it seems that another baby may have sat on it. It was fine at first but today another baby was sitting on it and it wasnt standing up. it had poop all over its butt and legs a dark line up its belly and the crop was full
Sept. 24, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. I hope that your pet is feeling better. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 23, 2020
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Coco
Yellow-Naped Amazon
17 Years
Serious severity
0 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
My bird Coco has been falling off his perch, he cannot walk and I have to force him to drink water with a dropper he usually got mad but now he is not fighting as much and is very quiet. We took him to the vet the other day and they gave him a vaccine and fluids under the skin. They didn't tell me if he had anything except maybe an infection. He is not eating as much as usual. I hope that it is not Ataxia but he is showing most of the symptoms. I have been trying to get him active with a sort of home therapy. I try to massage his feet and try to hold him up as he tries to perch on my arm.
Perri
Budgriegar
8 Months
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
Hi My perri is a 8 months old male Exhibition budgie which I purchased from a budgies breeder about a month ago...from the 1st day I got him he shows uncoordination of his wings and unstabalises oftenly on a perch many times a day, my vet only prescribed multivitamins and minerals therapy which couldn't help me...please suggest a better treatment if anyone has such an experience...
Kipper
cockatiel
7 Months
Critical severity
1 found helpful
Critical severity
Has Symptoms
So I'm not exactly asking for advice. I just wanted to share my experience. Last September we adopted a cockatiel and named her Kipper. She was so beautiful and so different from our other birds. I love when you can tell they have a personality. Anyway, she was doing just fine and she seemed happy but one day, a month later, we noticed her sitting on top of her cage not moving. We didn't think much of it immediately since she loved to sit up there and observe the room. But then my little sister said she was acting strange and stumbling. So I got up and brought her to the couch where she stumbled around and tripped over her feet then stopped trying to walk at all. Her wings were spread like they were trying to balance her. Her toes were curled and she was very weak. That's when we knew something was very wrong. We quickly took her to the vet. On the way there she didn't move at all. She sat on the bottom of the cage in the exact position we put her in, even through the bumpy ride. We got to the vet and they took her back. We waited for what seemed like hours. They had incubated her and gave her food. The vet said she responded just a bit, so we were hopeful. Then we got home (they were keeping her overnight). We got a call only a few hours later. She had passed away. After reading this article I notice that these symptoms are almost exactly the same as what we experienced with Kipper. We never found out what exactly happened to her because we didn't have the money for extensive testing. Her condition declined extremely quickly. But I know she's in heaven, and she's not in pain anymore.
Nugget
cockatiel
6 Months
Serious severity
0 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
I pulled Nugget from her nest at 10 days old and hand fed her because she was covered in mites along with her sibling. I was able to clean off her siblings however she was in bad shape so I "saved" her. She had and still has a hard time standing. She cannot fly and shows clear signs of Ataxia. My son and I have worked with her endlessly to teach her to stand, walk and perch which she can do but not for long periods of time. She is back with her flock and in a open cage so others can come sit with her which they do. What is the best way to help her learn how to fly. She appears to want to try her new flight feathers are growing back since I clipped her first flight feathers. Will she ever be able to fly?
TWEED
Budgie
4 Years
Mild severity
0 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
I believe my bird has Ataxia, he can not keep his balance? He falls off his perch when he flies he ends up falling to the ground, he has been climbing the cage holding on for what looks like dear life. He find him eating a lot and he ends up sleeping in the food dish. I can not afford to take him to the vet. I have a heat light on the cage to keep him warm and threw the day he is still chirping with his mate matilda. I have changed around their cage but he keeps wanting to be at the top.of the cage. I turned ome of the food dishes into a bed but now he will not go near it. Is there something I can do to help him other then what I have been? I clean the cage everyday and gove them new food and water and fresh water every day in their bird bath. Please is anyone can give me advice that would be awesome and much appreciated
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