Chick is acting funny... almost like seizing... help?

[MandyLManrique]

I have a baby chick that is acting odd... It's almost like it is seizing, shakes alot, sleeping alot. When I pick it up, it stiffens up, won't keep its head right, it stretches it up and back and is stiff, and can't bring it normal unless my hands hold it forward and right. It's feet straiten out, and push, they won't bend normal unless it is laying down, and it stays on it's side. It can't stand, but falls on it's side and stays there, sometimes seizing up, or flopping around. It won't eat or drink unless I 'hand force feed' (so to speak) it. It chirps at me, and responds to me, cuddles down into my hands, but I'm really concerned. I'm not sure what to do... Any thoughts or advice???

 

[CMV]

Sounds like it has neurological issues. What breed is it? Some breeds are more prone to these issues than others.

Unfortunately, the bird will either live with an occasional seizure or die from it. There is not much that can be done unless you want to bring it to a vet. Vets can prescribe phenobarbital for seizure control if that is what s/he is having.

 

[MandyLManrique]

I have no idea what breed it is... My mother would know more than me, I just take care of them, feed them, water them, give them attention, etc... Another thing, it seems more content when I have it wrapped up semi-tightly in a washcloth, or when I have it cupped in my hands... It also seems to know when I'm not in the room, cause it chirps like crazy till I come back, pick it up, and comfort it... It eats ok (when I put the food in it's mouth), and drinks ok (when I put the dropper of water at it's beak), and goes to the bathroom just fine, it just can't stand, relax, or keep it's head right... I'm hoping maybe with a lil advice, I might be able to at least make it easier on it... (I call it and 'it' cause we dont know the sex yet, however, I do think this is the one we named 'Pengui' LoL)

 

[CMV]

Have you tried giving it some vitamins? It can't hurt and may even be helpful.

 

[MandyLManrique]

I had been looking into doing that, beings that it started the day I started this thread... Unfortunately, it died this morning... I feel guilty as hell about it, because it was chirping like crazy at me to get my attention (which it did alot, specially when it started spasming), and I was sleeping, so I didn't really hear it... about an hour after the crazy chirping for help, I managed to wake up enough to realize it was, and was already to late, it had died right there at my head... I feel so bad... I could have helped get it through the spasms and stuff... I'm guessing if I hadn't had found it, and started 'caring' for it, and helping it, it wouldnt have made it through the next couple hours in the coup, and if I had managed to rouse myself to tend to it, it wouldnt have died... but should this situation happen again... I will make sure to work a little faster... Thank you for your help, possible answers, and advice... most appreciated, and defanitly helpful for future problems... Thank You!

 

[CMV]

Sorry for your loss. Don't beat yourself up over it. There is not much you could have done anyways.