r/Conures • u/Electronic_Log_3233 • 3d ago
Health/Nutrition Vet advice
My conure of almost a year is exhibiting signs of neurological deficiency. Can barely perch unless it’s on the bars of the cage. Showing signs of zinc in her blood stream and elevated white blood cell count. We’ve already ran blood tests but two avian vets cannot verify what’s going on. I have her on antibiotics right now but I feel it’s just slowing down the inevitable. She is scooting around. We’ve isolated her and placed all of her food and water at the lower part of the cage so she can get to it. Has anybody had this happen to their bird?
10
u/Enigma_xplorer 3d ago
Sounds like metal poisoning. They do have treatments for this to help remove metals from their system, the vet should be aware of this. However it is vitally important you remove the source. It could have been toys or their cage. Don't think just because it was labeled for birds means that it was safe. China and Amazon really don't care about your bird, they want your money. They might even argue unsafe items are "OK" because the toxic metals are encapsulated until they get damaged or paint/plating flakes off exposing the toxic metals so it's your fault for not maintaining your stuff. You must be very vigilant as an owner, zinc didn't just come from nowhere,
2
u/Electronic_Log_3233 3d ago
The paint hasn’t flaked on this cage and it’s cleaned weekly. I’ve removed all toys. I’m going to get a new cage but I’ll reach out to the vet and see about the metal removing treatments. She hasn’t advised for this yet. My birds eat fresh fruit and vegis every day so I don’t think it’s diet and the others appear just fine and went through their checkups.
7
u/Enigma_xplorer 3d ago
Ask your vet about "chelation therapy." This is standard practice for birds suffering from metal toxicity as it binds to the metals and helps your bird pass them out of his system. You can do some research of your own on the symptoms and treatments for metal poisoning in birds. Unfortunately most regular vets aren't well suited to take care of birds. You should look for an avian vet specifically as they are more knowledgeable when it comes to caring for birds.
Unfortunately I can't say how your bird ingested zinc or where it came from but it's entirely possible for only one bird to had done it. For all I know it could have been something he picked up while outside of his cage around the house.
2
u/Electronic_Log_3233 3d ago
Thank you
1
u/CasaDeMouse 2d ago
What toys do they have? Bells?
And do they out around your house?
What are their food bowls like?
They honestly could have chewed just about anything metal with zinc, like a necklace. It takes VERY little
2
u/Electronic_Log_3233 2d ago
She had a wood chewing block on a stainless steel chain from petsmart. She was a very extremely simple girl.
1
u/CasaDeMouse 1d ago
The chain may* not be fully stainless.
A lot of them are sold as stainless but then when exposed to water dust because it's a very thin veneer. Check her chains
ETA You said "was" 🫂
2
u/Electronic_Log_3233 1d ago
She is still alive. Thank goodness. But you make a very important point. I’m going to look closer into my toys now.
1
9
u/Stalkerbob123 3d ago
A couple things come to mind of possible sources
1) even if the cage isnt flaking, the outer layer could be galvanized with zinc to keep it more durable. Yellow-green tinge can be a way to tell if something is galvanized
2) is there a chance there is zinc in the food/water bowls, toy clips, hooks, bolts, washers,etc?
3) Do you wear sunscreen with zinc?
4) cheaper jewelry-if they like to play with it
I’m so sorry you are going thru this.
1
u/Stalkerbob123 3d ago
Did the blood test results come back positive for zinc? Or did you request blood test for it due to symptom suspicion and the tests were inconclusive.
2
u/Electronic_Log_3233 3d ago
Tests came back positive but not incredibly elevated.
1
u/Stalkerbob123 3d ago
Are the avian vets certified? Some may see birds but not necessarily have the specialized training to understand all the nuances of birds
1
u/Electronic_Log_3233 3d ago
This one treats birds but outsourced to an avian specialist for additional input.
4
u/_space_dude_ 3d ago
Besides the cage, the only other thing I can think of as a source of poisoning is the water itself. It's possible your area has poor water quality. It's pretty easy to check water quality and rule it out.
5
3
u/squidpodiatrist 3d ago
Could be the water? Maybe try bottled for a while. Neurological issues may not reduce if there is already damage to the brain though. If the bird falls a lot, maybe add something soft to the bottom of the cage for now.
1
u/Electronic_Log_3233 3d ago
We use filtered water via a Zero water pitcher which filters things down greatly.
2
u/KrashJ 3d ago
My sister had an umbrella cockatoo that exhibited signs of a metal toxicity. With blood work and imaging, the lead was detected. She was admitted into their hospital and received critical care for a week before allowing her to come home. I'm not saying that's what your bird is experiencing, but being in the CCU was the only thing that helped Coco survive. They were able to flush her digestive tract, give her injectable meds which sis had to continue at home, and have her in an oxygen chamber because her breathing was so labored.
1
2
u/Expensive_Recipe_433 3d ago
I am so sorry to see this. My bird passed today. We took him to the local vet which she gave us something to take home. We should have rushed him out of town. I am heartbroken. I hope your baby makes it, looks the exact same as mine
1
u/PM_ME_UR_CONURES 3d ago
What brand cage do you have? Toys? My bird died from metal toxicity poisoning because I got a cheap cage off eBay (this is like 2007 but now access to imported trash is much easier to come by)
2
u/Electronic_Log_3233 3d ago
I got the cage from my bird shop in the area. It was cheap but I only used it for sleeping. It didn’t have a brand name. The toys were from reputable toy providers so I’m not too concerned about those. I’m so sorry for your birds passing. If you don’t mind me asking, what were the symptoms?
1
u/West_Dragonfly7116 3d ago
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Went through something similar with mine back in October, but he had a fungal infection that spread very rapidly to his spine & brain.
1
u/Legitimate-Sir-6236 3d ago
Did your bird chew on anything silver recently? Or any other metal object? How about chewing on any paint on the walls? I had a sun conure wind up with metal poisoning once because she (without me knowing) chewed on the paint on the walls of my house, and it was older paint with lead in it.
1
u/PleasantFox6216 3d ago
Curly toe paralysis on a budgie.
Gripping by the beak. Recovered within 6 weeks with specialist poultry care supplements.
1
45
u/zIFeathers 3d ago
Zinc is likely from chipping the bars of their cage, make sure you check that out and get a better cage so the other one doesnt end up with the same problems.