PinkyB
Moving in
- Joined
- 10/15/17
- Messages
- 8
Hi all, I'm new to this community and am very happy to found this place.
My family welcomed our first avian friend - Ball-ball the canary - to our home about 6 months ago. He is orange and very energetic.
Recently we noticed he is not looking well and took him to a vet. He was diagnosed with ataxia, however the vet was unable identify whether it is from a stroke or infection. Sometimes he would look perfectly fine, standing and eating, then the next moment he would fell on the floor, laying either on his side or back.
His legs were to weak to perch. The vet suggested to remove all perches and keep him on the floor for now, to prevent him from falling and hurting himself further. We have setup Ball-ball's cage with bubble wrap + newspaper + paper-towel, as the vet recommended.
He has regained appetite since he got sick. It's a good sign to see him eating, drinking and defecating. He seems to be in good spirit and he is not ready to give up yet.
Now coming to the day-to-day of taking care of him, here're some challenges we have noticed so far:
1. Since Ball-ball's legs are weak, he seems to have developed a habit of laying on his side or back. He started eating while laying on his side or back, instead of standing up-right. I'm a bit concerned if he would choke...
2. Again because his legs are weak, he seems to have trouble tucking his head under his wings while sleeping without tumbling around. I have often noticed he would fall asleep (eyes slowly closing) when he is standing, or sometimes he would sleep while laying on side or back. Typically sleeping on the floor is a sign of a bird not well, but in the case for Ball-ball, is this normal behaviour, especially sleeping on his side or back?
3. As he often lay on his side or back, his feces keep sticking on his feathers (rule of gravity). I'm now picking him up daily to clean his vent and feathers with q-tips, to prevent vent blockage. Has anyone experienced this? I thought typically Canaries do not like being handled a lot, and I'm not sure if Ball-ball likes being picked up and cleaned everyday. Any tips on improving the situation?
4. For birds with similar situations (paralysis, broken legs, etc.), do they eventually learn to stay up right? Or whatever posture they are comfortable with, including laying sideways or on back?
Thank you very much for reading my lengthy post. All comments are welcomed.
My family welcomed our first avian friend - Ball-ball the canary - to our home about 6 months ago. He is orange and very energetic.
Recently we noticed he is not looking well and took him to a vet. He was diagnosed with ataxia, however the vet was unable identify whether it is from a stroke or infection. Sometimes he would look perfectly fine, standing and eating, then the next moment he would fell on the floor, laying either on his side or back.
His legs were to weak to perch. The vet suggested to remove all perches and keep him on the floor for now, to prevent him from falling and hurting himself further. We have setup Ball-ball's cage with bubble wrap + newspaper + paper-towel, as the vet recommended.
He has regained appetite since he got sick. It's a good sign to see him eating, drinking and defecating. He seems to be in good spirit and he is not ready to give up yet.
Now coming to the day-to-day of taking care of him, here're some challenges we have noticed so far:
1. Since Ball-ball's legs are weak, he seems to have developed a habit of laying on his side or back. He started eating while laying on his side or back, instead of standing up-right. I'm a bit concerned if he would choke...
2. Again because his legs are weak, he seems to have trouble tucking his head under his wings while sleeping without tumbling around. I have often noticed he would fall asleep (eyes slowly closing) when he is standing, or sometimes he would sleep while laying on side or back. Typically sleeping on the floor is a sign of a bird not well, but in the case for Ball-ball, is this normal behaviour, especially sleeping on his side or back?
3. As he often lay on his side or back, his feces keep sticking on his feathers (rule of gravity). I'm now picking him up daily to clean his vent and feathers with q-tips, to prevent vent blockage. Has anyone experienced this? I thought typically Canaries do not like being handled a lot, and I'm not sure if Ball-ball likes being picked up and cleaned everyday. Any tips on improving the situation?
4. For birds with similar situations (paralysis, broken legs, etc.), do they eventually learn to stay up right? Or whatever posture they are comfortable with, including laying sideways or on back?
Thank you very much for reading my lengthy post. All comments are welcomed.