Expert: Silver - 9/27/2009

Question
hi, i have a 4 year old fantailed white dove who has been very well up to the last 6 weeks. he has started with balance problems, it is as if he is drunk, he wobbles all over the place. at first he would not fly only walk. he is feeding and drinking well. he is happy to just sit and watch whats happening around him.
if you walk up to him he puts his chest out as normal, but then falls over or stumbles. he just sits there with his head down half asleep al the time.

yesterday i bathed him as his has never bathed himself, and i found little mites on him so treated them with a spray as normal.

someone told me it could be mites in his ears, and another person told me its a brain disease.

can you help please cos i dont want him to die.

thanks steve

Answer
Dear Steve,
I had ring neck doves as a child and still smile when I think of them so I can empathize with your worries.

First of all I am glad you are rid of the mites. They can drain a bird's health away rarely like this. It is possible they have entered the ear but I personally have never had an issue so extreme that it affected the bird in this way. I would not over dose him with the mite spray though since it can be toxic. Were they regular mites or red-mites (they leave a red residue in the cage most of the time)?

It is unfortunately impossible for me to say what is wrong and how to correct the problem. The poor guy could have a disease-does he live with free flying birds or get out with wild birds himself?

I would guess the problem is neurological...I have also seen birds that have had strokes act this way but usually it is almost always caused when birds have flown into something like a wall or window and done damage to themselves. Is it possible that he hurt himself in this way? If so only time will tell if he will heal.

Has he been around where someone was spraying something like chemicals or paint? Was he in a home where someone over-heated a non-stick pan (this produces toxic fumes)?

You need to find a veterinarian asap who takes care of birds (an avian vet...call any vet and if they do not they can usually refer you to one). They can actually see and touch the bird and let you know what is wrong... I am afraid birds are very tough to diagnose long distance and bird health is something that needs quick attention... If there is not a veterinarian in you area is heir a pigeon club or group in your area who might be able to help? If you are not sure you can try calling a local 4-H group office or a local humane society (tell them you need help quickly and if you cannot afford a veterinarian maybe they will help?) and ask them...

In the mean time keep him quiet and warm. Do not let him get drafty. Feed him any decent foods or healthy treats he will eat to keep his strength up. Vitamins always are a good idea but I doubt that he has a dietary issue.

I am SO sorry I can not be of more help. I have had birds brought to me like this before who have had head injuries and some make it and unfortunately others do not. I have spent many a sleepless night trying to 'wish' a bird to keep breathing.

I wish you and your bird the best of luck. Would you please post a 'follow-up' to this question and let me know how he does? My thoughts are with you.

Silver