Parrot Seizures

BrokenWing Chronicles
Parrot Seizures

Seizures in African Grey Parrots

African Grey parrots are known to have problems with seizures, most commonly related to hypocalcemia. Do not rule out hypocalcemia problems based on one blood test showing a calcium level in the normal range. Calcium levels dip and rise according to circadian rhythm. Normal calcium levels for psittacines range from 8.0-13.0 mg/dl. Running an ionized calcium level may be diagnostic; however reference ranges for the different species are not yet established or published for many species.

http://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/seizures.html

A seizure is a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness and control of motor function. Seizures may be mild to severe, partial or generalized, frequent or infrequent; and may involve twitching, paddling or convulsing. The bird may appear disoriented and unable to perch. When a seizure occurs, a bird may vocalize, lose consciousness, fall off its perch, flap its wings uncontrollably and stiffen its body. Fortunately, many birds will recover from a seizure and slowly regain their ability to control their movements and perch. Generalized seizures are more severe. The bird loses consciousness, vocalizes and flaps its wings uncontrollably. Partial seizures are characterized by a continuous twitching of a wing or leg.

http://www.avianweb.com/seizures.html

SEIZURES IN PET BIRDS
A seizure is a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness and control of motor function. It is caused by a paroxysmal, uncontrolled transient electrical discharge in the brain. Seizures may be mild to severe, partial or generalized, frequent or infrequent.

When a seizure occurs, a bird may vocalize, lose consciousness, fall off its perch, flap its wings uncontrollably and stiffen its body. Fortunately, many birds will recover from a seizure and slowly regain their ability to control their movements and perch.

There are many causes of seizures in birds. Some of the more common causes include central nervous system diseases such as a brain tumor or infection, head trauma, hyperthermia, liver disease, metabolic disturbances (hypocalcemia, hyperglycemia) and toxicity from lead, zinc, aflatoxins and certain insecticides. If no cause is found after a thorough evaluation, the bird is said to have idiopathic epilepsy.

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww56eiv.htm

Hypocalcemic seizures in an African grey parrot (files)

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1680947

Hypocalcaemia
Finally, in the adult bird, we have another common manifestation of Hypocalcaemia in the form of nervous symptoms.
These can occur in any species, but usually they are found to some extent in Eclectus Parrots, and very commonly in the African Grey species.
African Grey Parrots appear to have a particularly high demand for Calcium, or perhaps they have more difficulty than other birds in metabolising what is available.
As mentioned before, Calcium is required for proper muscle function, and when blood levels are low, we see signs ranging from slight muscle weakness, so that the bird has difficulty climbing around its cage, progressing through more marked inco-ordination and loss of balance, and culminating in fits or seizures of an epileptic nature.

http://www.theparrotsocietyuk.org/index.php/Hypocalcaemia/55

Hypocalcemia syndrome
African Grey parrots (Psittacidae), both Timneh and Congo sub-species, are rarely affected by a hypoglycemia syndrome (although there appears to be a decrease in it's frequency in our practice, perhaps due to increased awareness of nutritional needs). Young birds 2 to 5 years of age are most commonly effected. Signs may range from incoordination to status epilepticus. Hypocalcemia should be on the differential diagnosis of any grey parrot with neurological signs. Grey parrots (Psittacidae) presented in seizure should be treated presumptively with intravenous calcium gluconate as well as with diazepam..

http://drexotic.com/avian_emergencies.htm

CALCIUM METABOLISM IN GREY PARROTS: THE EFFECTS OF HUSBANDRY PDF

http://www.hbf-uk.co.uk/downloads/stanford-calcium.pdf

Parrot Nutrition
There is much confusion about what is best to feed your parrot. This information sheet summarizes the important aspects of nutrition as it relates to seed eating types of parrots. Nectar and fruit eating parrots need the same basic nutrients but they are provided in a different way.
There are two acceptable ways to maintain good parrot nutrition. One is a seed based diet. The other is a pellet based diet. Any diet that includes seeds, starchy fruit such as bananas, nuts, pasta, bread, etc... must be considered a seed based diet even if the diet includes a large part pellets.
A very large number of birds that are presented for illness to veterinary clinics are presented for diet-induced diseases. This paper deals with only adult birds. Juveniles have other dietary issues. The majority of nutritional diseases in adult parrots are a result of Vitamin A deficiency. Mineral inbalance, protein inbalance, and protein deficiency are also significant issues.

http://www.paloverdeanimalhospital.com/custom_content/2078_parrot_nutrition.html

I wish the best to you and your little friend!

BrokenWing

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When all is done that is asked of me and I can fly no higher, I pray this day his hand extends to welcome home a flier.