What causes seizures in birds?
Seizures are reasonably common in pet birds and often observed in Amazon parrots, African gray parrots, budgies, canaries, cockatiels, finches, and lovebirds. A seizure may result from any disorder in the brain that causes spontaneous electrical discharge in the nervous system. This electrical discharge causes a variety of involuntary body responses or changes in behavior. A seizure is also referred to as a fit or convulsion.
Primary disorders that lead to seizures include tumors, infections (bacterial, chlamydial, viral, or fungal), heatstroke, vascular events affecting the brain, and trauma (such as flying head-first into a solid object).
Secondary disorders include reproductive problems, metabolic disorders, nutritional deficiencies or imbalances, and inhaled/ingested/absorbed toxins. One of the more common causes among pet birds is the ingestion of lead or zinc particles. These metals decompose in the digestive tract and cause heavy metal toxicity, which leads to convulsions or seizures.
Birds on all-seed diets or fed a lot of carbohydrates (meat, pasta, cookies, corn chips) may also develop atherosclerosis. In this case, plaques form in blood vessels, and the smaller arteries in the brain can become clogged with plaques that can then lead to seizures. After testing, if no cause can be determined, the condition is referred to as idiopathic epilepsy or seizures.
How do I know if my bird is having a seizure?
There are three parts to a seizure.
- The initial phase is called the aura phase, where your bird may go through a period of altered behavior.
- The second phase is called ictus and is a period of disorientation, in which the bird is unable to coordinate muscle movements. Your bird will lose its grip and fall to the bottom of the cage. Often, their body will become stiff and the bird will jerk spastically and may defecate and vocalize. This phase usually lasts 5 to 20 seconds.
- The third phase is called the post-ictal phase and lasts several minutes to hours. Your bird will show a variable amount of exhaustion, lethargy, confusion, disorientation, agitation, or restlessness.
What should I do if my bird has a seizure?
If your bird has a seizure, it needs immediate veterinary attention. In the meantime, place your bird in a cage with soft bedding on the bottom, and remove the perches, toys, and swings to minimize injury. Until your bird regains normal balance and becomes more alert, remove the food and water dishes to prevent them from breathing in food particles or water.
How will my veterinarian assess my bird?
A veterinarian experienced with birds will start with a complete history, weight, and physical examination of your bird. They may immediately administer medication to stop the seizure. Your veterinarian will evaluate your bird’s diet and supplements to determine any possible deficiencies (like calcium) and the possibility of contamination. They may recommend diagnostic testing to determine the underlying cause of the seizure. Each test provides another piece of the puzzle, and often many tests are needed to give more clarity.
One test is the complete blood count (CBC), which includes a red blood cell count, white blood cell count, and white blood cell differential. This information can indicate infections, dehydration, toxins, and anemia. Blood chemistry tests are used to measure calcium, glucose, protein, sodium, and potassium levels and to assess liver and kidney function. Some blood chemistry profiles also include cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Tests to detect specific infectious agents may be investigated using serology and DNA testing. X-rays may be used to assess the bones, the size and position of internal organs, and to search for the presence of foreign materials, such as lead or zinc. Other tests that may be recommended are an EEG (electroencephalogram), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and CT (computer-assisted tomography).
Are there treatments for seizures in birds?
Initially, certain drugs may be given to stop the seizure activity. Specific treatments may then be implemented based on test results and the diagnosis. The range of treatments depends on the specific problem and may include treating the underlying disease, modifying the diet, providing nutritional supplementation, and possibly hospitalizing the bird for supportive therapy (fluids and vitamins).
In addition, antibiotic, antiviral, antitoxin, or antiparasitic medications will be given as required. Sometimes the condition cannot be “cured,” but may be managed in a way that will improve your bird’s quality of life.
