I adopted a darling Quaker parrot sat,,, Nov 1st. I was told that she sometimes falls to the bottom of her cage and stiffens her legs,, supposedly this began after her Sun Conure mate had died. I witnessed her twice today,,but they look just like epileptic siezures to me. I'm heartbroken already as I have a very limited budget and the last thing I need is a very unexpected vet bill,,,I'm sure she needs one,,and it makes me sick to even imagine what the out come will be. I am new to this forum and I sincererly welcome any suggestions or support of any kind. I have a large flock of very healthy birds but "Peachy" is my 1st QP

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you are having issues with your QP. Someone with more knowledge will be along soon to offer more information, but a vet check sounds very much in order for Peachy. Good Luck.

yes, welcome and I am soo sorry to hear about Peachy's health problem. I understand your money issues, but I think the responsible thing to do for her would be to either take her to the vet or talk to the people you adopted her from and see if you can work something out. Maybe they can help pay for some of the vet bills. Otherwise you might want to find another home for her, but I hope it doesn't have to come to that. I think you need to get her to the vet asap though. It could be something more serious, or it could become something more serious if you don't take her soon.

Again, I hope you can find a way to help her and still be able to keep her, but you need to think of her best interests in this situation.

Welcome to the forum. I'm so sorry you are having these problems.
I have a friend who lives in the next state that has a QP and hers does the same thing. He has done that for years and a few times, she thought she would lose him. She has had him 6 years, since he was a baby. After several visits to the vet, they have discovered that the bird could eat only a limited amount of "people food" without having a seizure.
I had told her a long time ago to put him in a towel or a piece of warm blanket and hold him near a lamp until he is OK again.
It doesn't happen very often now that she gives him only TINY amounts of table food. I did find out a while back that she gave him a lot of the WRONG foods, like potato chips and sweets because he "LOVED" them. She doesn't do that any more...only some sweet potato, broccoli, things she KNOWS he can have. She's thankful he is still alive and doing well.
I've tried to get her to join us here, but she is jut too too busy!

I trust the advice, and I will call the nearest avian vet to at least see what a first appointment will cost and how soon she can be seen. Then I'll find a way to get her there,,,I am already in love with her and torn apart by her ailment. As I am replying now, she just had her third episode today, wow,, can't wait to call the vet. I have given her only fresh water and Zupreme fruit pellets,,,she seems to love to eat,, her previous mom had just seeds in her dish,,and she was in a dark corner of the basement,, no natural light,,,I have let her sit upon the back of the couch with a lamp on near her for warmth, plus the sun spilling in from the skylight and a window near by,,I transfer her at night to the top of my head board,,above me so if she were to have a spell,I could hold her while she has it. Please,, wish me good luck,, I have never had a sick bird before but fully understand their delicate balance.

I am wishing you luck with your quaker and sending you prayers. I am sorry to read about your baby. I hope for the best for you and your quaker.

It's possible that the stress of a change in environment has caused an increase in her episodes. Definitely try to keep things calm and relatively quiet around her as she gets used to her new surroundings and do what you can to not overstimulate her. I totally understand the money troubles, and even a healthy bird vet visit can get expensive. Talk to an avian vet about what's going on and the money concerns and ask if they offer any type of discounts and/ or payment plans- it never hurts to ask! If it truly does turn out that you can't possibly cover the cost to have her seen by and avian vet then the kindest thing you can possibly do for her is do some serious searching in your area to find someone to take her in who can get her the care she needs.
I'm sorry- it's a heart-wrenching situation
Sending hugs and healthy vibes to the little one.

The only way to know for sure if it is seizures or something elso, is to take to the VET. Which is what I recomment.

Are you sure its seizures maybe a simple blood test might rule out metal poisoning..

Heavy metal poisoning should be considered as a reason for unexplained falls from the perch.


http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/metals.htm

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww14eiii.htm

I don't know for sure of course, since I am not a vet, I only know what I saw and describe as siezures,, he body flexing, straining, eyes jerking,, a horrible thing to witness and scary as can be,,I am helpless to do anything but hold her and comfort her with words she can't understand the meaning of. I found though a websigt offing a coupon for the first office visit free with a new customer,,so I am hoping it will at least cover the cost of the office visit. Then my sweet daughter and her boy friend are driving me 120 miles round trip to see a very reknowned avian vet. Te apt is at 4:40 today,,,,,al your support or prayers for a good out come are welcome,,,, thanks to all the great replies and obvious caring.

Heres hoping all turns out ok and they can get to the root of the problems. Please keep us posted on what the vet says. Good luck and hugs to ya.

I'm so glad you're taking him to an avian vet- and able to get an appt so quickly! There will be lots of folks thinking about the two of you while you are at the doc's office this afternoon. Hoping it goes well.

Good Luck , its early morning downunder and I am checking in quickly before breakie to see if there is any news..
Keeping you and your little guy in my prayers..(HUGS)

I seriously feel for you since I am experiencing something similar with my Simon. Thank goodness you are going to be able to get her to the vet, because I have just found out that my bird may have heavy metal poisoning, and tho he has not had seizures, I read that is a common symptom. My little guy is staying at the vets tonight, and I can really relate to your concern about the bill. I am terrified at how much this is going to be, but all that really matters is that my baby makes it. We just spent almost $400.00 about 2 weeks ago for our new caique's bloodwork, and Simon's dna test...and they were both well!!! Please let us know as soon as you find out what's going on with your little guy!

We just got back from the vet appointment and I'm ever so grateful for your kind support,,We felt you with us there tonight. the dr believes that "Peachy" has a calcium deficiancy and gave us some liquid meds to be given orally 3 times a day over the next 5 days. He said there would be really only two reasons a parrot would be having siezures,,one is "Epilepsy",, the other the Calc. Def.,,,,Metal Toxicity would have a number of other symptoms besides the siezures. He said even Epilepsy is very, very rare in parrots,, particularly the Quakers. We have a call coming from the vet at the end of the 5 days for an update,,and orders to call at any time if there are more siezures, Peachy was perfectly cooperative for the nice vet. Her weight was good. I adopted Peachy from some one who had her in a dirty cage, in a dark corner of a basement and on a seed and nut diet ( though I only saw seeds),,I put her on Zupreme day one and she has been eating very well,, we will see how she progresses in the next days,,my fingers are crossed and I am holding my breath.

That's wonderful news! I sure hope it turns out to be calcium def and it is fairly easily remedied. We'll be pulling for her and hoping for good updates

Peachy is in my thoughts and prayers and bless you for rescueing her. Hugs for you and peachy.

Great news. It does stand to reason that there would be a calcium deficiency if Peachy was in a cold dark basement. I'd put Pechy by a window for some INDIRECT sunlight for part of the day if possible. That may help also.
I'm glad her weight was good and I hope the meds take care of her problem.

Oh I'm glad you found out what is up and have medicine for Peachy My birdie came from a similar situation too so I can relate

Great news ....Get well quick Peachy (HUGS)

Glad for the good news and to hear its fixable.

So glad the news is good! I'm also glad it's not metal poisoning. I'm sitting here waiting for my vet's office to open so I can find out how my Simon is. Hope we have good news as well. Congrats!

that's awesome that you found out what it is! See, and you thought you might have to give her up! I'm glad you can keep her and make her healthy! Hopefully she'll be better soon!

I do hope Peachy recovers to full health and is now living with you, it sounds like she had lived a sad and lonely life before you came along, all the best to you both.