My paralyzed bird

by **charliebird** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 1:15 pm

Hi everyone,

I just found this forum and thought I would post about my pet bird, Charlie! Charlie is a 26 year old Blue Crown Conure that I took in from his former owner after he was completely paralyzed. The owner did not care properly for him all the years he had him; Charlie ate nothing but sunflower seeds, causing severe nutritional deficiencies in calcium among other things.

Eventually, Charlie's nutritional deficiencies left his bones so weak, and his muscles atrophied from lack of use/exercise (he was locked in a small cage for 25 years) that he fell, and not surprisingly broke his back in the lower lumbar area.

Charlie was still alive, though clearly not doing well, but I brought him to a reputable avian certified vet, and they were able to put weight on him and get him the critical care he needed. Charlie had a fighting spirit and wanted to live, so he did!

He lives in a normal bird cage, but it does not have perches; he rests on his keel bone, and I keep the bottom padded with a magnetic therapy pad, fleece and sheepskin to prevent bed sores and pressure to his keel.

I have had him for a year now since his accident, and although he will remain paralyzed in both legs, he is healthy and happy!

by **critters** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 10:26 am

I don't know that there's ever been a complete paraplegic bird around the board; Charlie's the first to my recollection!!

by **charliebird** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 10:35 am

I think they are not common, since birds are so sensitive, they often do not survive such traumas. I only know of one other bird like Charlie, a Cockatoo who belongs to a couple in Australia that rescued him off the side of a road after being hit by a car (the Cockatoo was wild originally). He has no use in either leg, but also has limited use of his wings (can flap but not fly) Charlie can actually fly if he wants to and gain height!

by **critters** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 10:58 am

charliebird wrote:) Charlie can actually fly if he wants to and gain height!

Hmm, interesting! I'd bet that's at least something of a help in preventing sores.

by **charliebird** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 11:04 am

Unfortunately no; he does not fly often (only if he's spooked by something) and I don't encourage him to fly independently since he has no way of landing..I have to keep all my furniture, etc. padded with towels and such when he's out in case he does spook and take off flying. Most times he will fly back to me and land in my hand, but if he's really spooked he will try to land on hard surfaces, which could seriously injure his keel bone.

I just keep a watchful eye on him and take precautions (carpeted room, towels on book shelf, top of cage, etc). The vets are surprised he has gone this long without serious bed sores or injury to his keel; I put him on sheepskin fairly quickly, the good kind meant for people to prevent bed sores. The fleece also is very soft and non-irritating (easier to spot clean and wash too)

by **sdrakkan** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 7:36 pm

What a CUTE boy he is! And a fighter!

by **Christine** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 6:39 am

He is beautiful and lucky to have you! Please come back often...what an inspiration you are! :welcomepurple:

by **charliebird** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:35 am

Thank you! I am glad to be here, and hope I can be of some assistance to others, although my only experience with paralysis is in birds and does not appear to be that common...it's usually too late long before they get to the point of paralysis. I'm curious though, has anyone else had experience with acupuncture in their paralyzed pets? I have been bringing Charlie in at least once a month for laser acupuncture to help with phantom pains and the stiffness is legs/muscles develop. One leg is very stiff while the other is fairly flaccid. He has responded well to it; it increase flexion in his legs, and he falls asleep during the process because it must feel good!

by **mr bill** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:09 am

my ringneck parrot has had an accident today that hs left him unable to move his legs, I suspect a broken back. his ear piercing voice has become a whisper. He shows no sign of pain. He's able to drag himself around with his beak, he's calm, eating and drinking. Your experiace and any additional input is usefull and appreciated by both me and my ;itt;e green friend Lewis.

by **charliebird** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 9:44 am

Hi there, im sorry to hear about your ringneck! My best advice would be to bring your bird to a certified avian vet or a vet near you with extensive bird experience. He will need xrays to determine if there is an actual break and if so where it is located and most likely medication for pain and possibly swelling around tne affected area which could make the paralysis worse. A vet will also be able to determine any other underlying medical issues that may have contributed to the fall..in charlies case he had metabolic bone disease and severely atrophied muscles which left him with arthritis essentially before his accident. Charlie wouldnt have made it if not for the vets due to the seriousness of his overall condition. That being said, if the vet determines it is a break and the bird has no other major medical issues and still shows a will to live, than I think its worth the medical expenses and extra tlc to give him a happy life despite the handicap.

Let me know what happens or if you would like someone to talk to about it all!

by **charliebird** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 10:44 am

I just realized you may find a referral useful for a vet! I dont know where you are located but you can search for an avian vet here: aav.org/search/index.php