male moluccan cockatoo, eight years old falling

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male moluccan cockatoo, eight years old falling

by Sunshine
(Jackson county, OR)

3 times now my moluccan has lost his balance wings flapping wildly he falls off his perch. I noticed that the problem seems to be that his left foot is tightly clenched in a ball and he doesnt seem to be able to relax it so he can grasp his perch. This lasts about a minute. Then he seems fine. Has happened at about 2 week intervals. Could this be some kind of seizure? I love my Mickey bird so much. Must ask though will this be expensive vet bills.Should I try to get pet insurance before I take him in. Moneys really tight right now, but Mickey's my baby! He does need to be seen doesnt he?

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male moluccan cockatoo, eight years old falling

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Mar 17, 2011

Cockatoo possible seizure
by: The Avian Vet

This sounds like a seizure. He needs to be seen by an avian veterinarian as soon as possible. If this bird were to come into my practice it would cost $300-500 depending on what we do. I suggest exam, blood work, and x-rays minimally. If it is seizures, it can sometimes be medically managed. It could be as simple as a nutritional deficiency. I suggest feeding 80% pellets, 20% treats. If he is not on pellets like Harrison's, you should convert him. But still take him in to the vet.

Dr B

Mar 15, 2011

male moluccan cockatoo, eight years old falling
by: Linda

Your bird needs to be examined by an Avian Vet and insurance may not pay for this first visit. You will need to get details for whatever insurance you go with to be sure. Go ahead and get the insurance and keep an eye on your bird for a while and then take him in so insurance WILL pay for visit.If he gets better on his own, then you still have insurance. Make sure insurance will pay for yearly visits because birds need to be examined at least once a year to make sure they have no low level physical problems.

If he is not sitting on natural wood branch perches, then his feet are becoming cramped from trying to either hold onto wood dowels or your perches are not large enough diameter. Tracie sells natural wood branches here. Moluccan's need 3-4" diameter perches because of their very large feet and long toes. Natural branches vary in diameter across the width allowing feet to contract and relax as they walk from one side to the other. This keeps feet healthy and is a very important part of your bird's overall health.

Manzanita branches are good, and check at http://www.manzanita.com as they harvest fresh Manzanita in their area that is clean and has not been sprayed. They are either in southern oregon or northern california where Manzanita grows as scrub brush. You will have to sand off the areas where small twigs were broken off as these are VERY sharp and will cut up bird's feet. Just use a dremmel tool for the job and get them flat and smooth. For any large cracks in wood, use two part epoxy and put it on sticks outside. Do not bring sticks inside house until glue has cured out 4-5 days or more. The two part epoxy has been vet approved if dry and cured out and applied outside, and we use it on our bird's Manzanita perches. The wood tends to crack as it dries, so all of the wood will have cracks, some large enough to get toenails stuck in. Make sure the epoxy has cured out for the 4-5 days or more if possible so that all the gassing out has completed before installing in cage. They will also supply you with perches cut to fit with hardware already installed. Give inside AND outside dimensions of cage for the length as the washers take up a bit of room. Rich is the owner of company, so talk with him about all this as he sells to large pet stores as well as private people. Hopefully they are still in business. If not, you can find many places on internet and on this site for perches with hardware already installed.

Linda

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