Expert: Rev. Dr. S.August Abbott - 10/31/2009

Question
QUESTION: My 11 y/o Blue and Gold Macaw has seizure type episodes when she is given a shower. She always loved showers in the past and would walk in and out of the water while spreading her wings and talking. Then one day she fell over with the left wing hanging limp and her left foot balled up. She seemed unable to focus. The first episoded lasted about 3 minutes. the last episode lasted about 15 minutes. Our Avian Vet was baffled as well as the Vet we sought out for a second opinion. I am afraid to put her back in the shower, but don't know how else to bath her. Any idea on what may be causing this or how to proceed from here?

ANSWER:  This had to scare the life out of you!  Tell me more about what the vets did in the way of evaluation.  Any blood work done?  

What do you normally feed your macaw?  Has she been DNA sexed?  Any other genetic testing done on her?   What's her name?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Her name is Abbey. My vet ran lab work on her and said he was testing her for the two most common diseases in birds. I'm sorry but I can't remember the names of the diseases. He stated she was negative for both. The second doctor (Dr Wright) called Dr Pope and discussed the matter with him. She asked what lab he drew and stated she did not know of any other lab to check. The both agreed it seemed to be a seizure episode and were unable to explain why it only happens in the shower.

She has been DNA sexed.  I also have an African Grey, Chloe. They both eat the same diet and Chloe is very healthy.

I feed them Kaytee Exact Rainbow kibble. She also receives bananas, apples, grapes, baked potato, toast, and peanuts. She likes meat so I do occ give her a small piece of fried chicken (usually just the bone of a wing after we have eaten and she just picks off the little bit of meat that is left. She also loves yogurt but she only gets this about every 3 months.

I hope this helps give you a better picture. Thank you for your time.

Answer
 Thanks for the additional info.  I commend you for the exceptional care you're giving this bird and wish more owners were this conscientious.

 You can feed her yogurt (as well as natural cheeses like mozzerella) on a daily basis if you'd like.  These are very sources of calcium and in moderate amounts are perfectly healthy.  Stick to 'all natural' versions of course and for a macaw, about 1 teaspoon of the yogurt is ok.  When it comes to cheeses, about the size of your thumb if it's mozzerella or the like; a teaspoon if it's cottage cheese or ricotta.   I prefer the low fat types.

Your choice of pellet over seed is also excellent.  Chicken legs with a bit of the meat left on (no skin) are even better the wings since she can snap it open and enjoy the marrow.  It's very good for her and since these birds will, on occasion, eat smaller birds in their natural habitat (it's usually opportunistic, they are not known to be predators) it's ok even once a week.

 The peanuts, surprisingly, are not something natural to their diet and carry a fungus that's dangerous to them.

 Aspergillosis is the number one most common fungal infection in birds because aspergillosis is just about everywhere.  Common sources are peanuts (even the human grade) and from old seeds or any decaying organic material.   Humans don’t usually have a problem with it, although in people with compromised immune systems or other illnesses it has been known to contribute to complications in health.  

 Birds can carry this fungus for some time without symptoms, other birds develop symptoms quickly upon infection.  Whether ingested or inhaled, aspergillosis can infect all systems usually by spreading from the respiratory system (lungs/air sacs).   Parent birds can pass the fungus to developing embryos in eggs through the porous eggshell.


The best diagnostic testing for Aspergillosis is an ELISA (blood) test.  An overall screening for problems can be begun with a culture of a fresh dropping.  Many vets will do a culture without seeing the bird, but it’s strongly suggested that the dropping be less than an hour old.

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There are many possible causes, including central nervous system diseases such as a brain tumor or infection, head trauma, hyperthermia, liver disease, metabolic disturbances (hypocalcaemia, 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.

Linda Pesek, DVM/Avian Board Certified is quoted: "A bird that seizures should have a thorough physical examination, radiographs, hematology and blood chemistry. A complete blood count will reveal whether anemia, inflammation or infection is present. Blood chemistries provide an indication of liver and kidney function and the electrolyte status of the patient. A radiograph may demonstrate the presence of metallic densities in the gastrointestinal tract. Although one cannot rule out the presence of lead or zinc toxicity if no metallic densities are present, finding them leads support to the possibility of heavy metal poisoning as the cause of the seizures. Definitive diagnosis is based upon the presence of toxic levels of lead and zinc in the blood.”


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Your vet (if not an avian vet) may not be aware that blood calcium levels are deceptive. They will often fall within the normal range (8.0 - 13.0 mg/dl), so an ionized calcium level needs to be done.

Treatment will vary, but usually include calcium supplementation of some form and full spectrum lighting exposure (Vitamin D is necessary to properly use the calcium intake in both our birds and in us).


 Along with the calcium rich foods I've gone over above, you can also offer her a single Tums.  The original type, not one with any other meds or supplements added.



 I'm not sure what it is about the shower that seems to trigger it, but it may just be a coincidence, an issue with timing (certain part of the day; certain amount of time after her last meal, etc) - but I'd stick with the most common probabilities as described here first and then, if all continues to produce negative results and the problem doesn't resolve with the modifications offered, it is time to find a specialist and explore more complicated avenues.

 

Keep up your excellent work!