Rosa Bourke

[laurab]

HELP! One of my Bourkes is having some difficulty in flying. When on the ground he is looking up but his head is making circular movements and when he tries to fly he doesn't seem to have the power to fly more than a couple of feet in the air nor does he have any control of the direction he is going.

He was fine a couple of days ago, could this be the result of possibly bashing his head in fright?

Is there any hope for him?

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura,

I'm sorry to hear of the problem your Bourke is suffering, the Bird could have damaged it's head due to fright, but it could also be due to an inner ear infection.
Whatever the cause for this behaviour the best thing to do now is to get the Bird to a Vet ASAP.

Good luck, Paul.

[laurab]

Going tomorrow Paul, I can't bear to see the bird suffer any longer:-(

[laurab]

I took my Bourke to the Vet yesterday. He is also unsure as to what has caused my bird to act so strange. He has decided to treat it as an infection at the moment and he has prescribed Baytrill. The bird is not better although it seems a little calmer.

I guess time will tell.

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura,

Has your Bourke shown any improvement yet?

Paul.

[laurab]

Hi Paul

not much improvement, he now seems to have his head turned to one side. He eats and drinks but growls when I go near him. I think it will have to be a trip to see Tom :-((

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura,

I was hoping there would be news of improvement by now, I'm very sorry it is otherwise.
It doesn't look to be inner ear infection now does it? This is what I hoped to be the problem, sorry mate.

Luv Paul.

[chris]

Hi laura,

how's he doing? i've just seen your ad for a cock rosa bourke so i'm assuming the worst:(

Chris

[laurab]

Hi Chris


he has not departed yet but I feel another trip to the vet would be the kindest thing to do.

Thank you very much for your concern, it is apreciated

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi mate,

Sorry to hear the bad news,:-| I hope all is O.K. with the other aviary occupants.

Paul.:wink:

[laurab]

No other bird is showing any sign of illness.....thankfully

[laurab]

Spoke to soon, the other Bourke is displaying the same behaviour. It seems totally disorientated. head swivels round and when it takes flight it cannot land on a perch and seems unable to gain height.

I know they have come from the same aviary, could inter-breeding cause this to happen?

[chris]

:? i'd get them all taken to the vets and checked out, if it's contagious whatever it is you could prevent it in any other birds you have

i don't have a clue what could be causing this to happen?

Chris

[laurab]

Hi Chris

I think I have discovered the cause with a little help from a friend, POISONING! Part of the new aviary was covered with a much lower grade wire mesh that the rest, and it just happened to be were the Bourkes like to sit and drink rain off the wire. I have contacted the vet and he is getting me an antidote but it won't arrive until Tuesday, in the meantime I am feeding them peanut butter!!

[laurab]

Not sure if it is just wishfull thinking, but I am sure my cock Bourke is showing a small sign of improvement :smile:

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura,

Have you now received the poison Antidote from the Vet, if so do you think this could be the reason for the improvement in the cock Bird?

I hope for yours and the Birds sake that this isn't wishfull thinking and that both Bourkes make a full recovery.:grin:

Also have you now posted warnings regarding the possible cause of this near fatal experience here, and on the various other Bird Forums?

Paul.:wink: