Head Tilt and loss of Balance

[Eggcessive]

My roo is currently having head tilt and disorientation problems, he's not lethargic as a mater of fact the disorientation seems to be making him cranky. He's also wiping his head alot, and scratching at the ear he has tilted toward the ground. I'm pretty sure its not wry neck since he gets unsalted roasted peanuts daily, which are rich in selenium, vit E and thiamin. It's not a neck injury, since he woke up with it yesterday morning and I'm pretty sure he didn't hurt himself during the night. He sleeps in a parrot cage next to my bed, if he had made enough commotion to hurt himself that badly I would have heard it.

It could be Mareks, but he's still got a healthy appetite, he's is drinking water, stool looks normal, breathing good, nasal passages clear, clear eyes. He did get in the shower with me the day before the head tilt problems, and we live on a catchment system (please read teaming with bacteria). So I'm treating for an ear infection with peroxide, I'm going to call around today and see about getting him in to see a vet.

Is there anything I'm missing? Other possibilities that I'm not aware of.

Many cases of wry neck or torticolis have nothing to do with a vitamin deficiency or a head injury, but can occur with quite a few diseases such as Mareks, avian leukosis, respiratory diseases, and anything that can inflame the lining of the brain or spinal cord. It's kind of a strange symptom, which may or may not go away with treatment. The vitamins you mentioned as well as limited stimulation and noise, and assistance with eating and drinking are the treatments.

 

[newwestchick]

My roo is currently having head tilt and disorientation problems, he's not lethargic as a mater of fact the disorientation seems to be making him cranky. He's also wiping his head alot, and scratching at the ear he has tilted toward the ground. I'm pretty sure its not wry neck since he gets unsalted roasted peanuts daily, which are rich in selenium, vit E and thiamin. It's not a neck injury, since he woke up with it yesterday morning and I'm pretty sure he didn't hurt himself during the night. He sleeps in a parrot cage next to my bed, if he had made enough commotion to hurt himself that badly I would have heard it.


It could be Mareks, but he's still got a healthy appetite, he's is drinking water, stool looks normal, breathing good, nasal passages clear, clear eyes. He did get in the shower with me the day before the head tilt problems, and we live on a catchment system (please read teaming with bacteria). So I'm treating for an ear infection with peroxide, I'm going to call around today and see about getting him in to see a vet.


Is there anything I'm missing? Other possibilities that I'm not aware of.

Sounds like something could be stuck in his ear, or have a mild infection in there.

 

[CuriousChicken]

Given how swollen his little ear hole was yesterday, I'm inclined to believe it is an ear infection. We just peroxided his ear again and it is far less inflamed. I'm guessing we caught it early enough that another day or two of peroxide, given his continued improvement, and he should be free and clear. But knowing other possible causes is always a good idea, the more I know the more likely I am to catch anything early. Thanks for the replies, I was freaking out a bit he's my baby.

 

[MarysAviaryHeartAndZoo]

She could have wry neck, but I would watch for other symptoms that could be signs of Mareks disease, such as lameness, drooping wings,  limp neck, or eye problems. Wry neck is best treated with vitamins, since it can be a symptom of a vitamin deficiency, a head injury, or diseases such as Mareks and others. Give a small amount of egg daily since it contains selenium, and vitamin E and thiamine are the important vitamins to give. She may need help eating enough and drinking, so watch to see if she can do that. There is not time schedule on wry neck, since it can be caused by so many things.

Hello Eggsessive. May I ask you about my ducks? I have noticed a few of them experiencing shaky legs, then they can't hold themselves up and plop down. After resting for a minute, they try to walk and have trouble holding balance and use their wings to help them walk down to the pond. I thought they might have imbalanced electrolytes (potassium mostly), so I added supplements to their water. I also made mashed bananas and mixed it in their food. I saw some improvement, but not completely. Any suggestions on the cause or remedy? Thanks in advance!

 

[Eggcessive]

Hello Eggsessive. May I ask you about my ducks? I have noticed a few of them experiencing shaky legs, then they can't hold themselves up and plop down. After resting for a minute, they try to walk and have trouble holding balance and use their wings to help them walk down to the pond. I thought they might have imbalanced electrolytes (potassium mostly), so I added supplements to their water. I also made mashed bananas and mixed it in their food. I saw some improvement, but not completely. Any suggestions on the cause or remedy? Thanks in advance!

I'm not much help with ducks. I do know that they can suffer from vitamin deficiency, and dehydration would also cause that. I would start a poultry vitamin in the water that contains niacin, riboflavin , and vitamin E. Here are some articles to read:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ies-in-goslings-ducklings-growth-leg-problems
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/167/vitamin-b-deficiencies/
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/p..._poultry/vitamin_deficiencies_in_poultry.html