What is wrong with my baby button quail?

[annelle]

Hello! I’m a first time button quail owner with a bit of a concern. My little four day old baby has started having brief (maybe three seconds) moments where he suddenly drops to the ground and presses against it while giving a loud string of alarmed peeps. He comes out of the strange state in a daze, looking around mutely before continuing with his activities. It seems to happen at random, as he’s done it while in the middle of walking, eating, standing, and settling down to sleep. Otherwise he’s perfectly healthy: he’s drinking and eating well, his droppings look good, he moves well, and he’s active, alert, curious and is growing amazingly fast. I can’t find anything online so was hoping I could get help here.

Please help if you can—I’m raising this bird as a companion pet; I love him terribly and hate the idea of losing him.

 

[jfulcher]

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Seizures??? Do they look like seizures??? Because being epileptic myself.... Thats what it sounds like it could be... But I could be wrong....

 

[jfulcher]

I looked around and it seems like that might be whats happening... Tell me more though... Does he close his eyes? Evacuate his bowels(doesn't always have tohappen)? Shake at all?

 

[annelle]

He basically lies flat on his stomach with his legs tucked underneath him and his head stretched forward; head and neck flat against the ground too. He's normally very twitchy but when he gets like this he almost seems rigid. I've never seen him pass droppings during it, though I think he does breathe a little harder. His eyes stay open.

 

[jfulcher]

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Yeh... Sounds to me like a seizure hun. IS NOT FATAL!!!! Just keep him comfortable during these episodes.. Maybe ask a vet what to do.. I know some animals take medications.. Idk about quail though. Nothing you did brought this on. Sometimes these things happen.

 

[jfulcher]

Yet... I wonder.... Are you always around when he does this???????? Like very close by...?

I ask for a good reason.. How close are you to the cage/brooder/tank?

 

[annelle]

No; I wondered that too but he does it when he doesn't know I'm there (he'll give his little calls for me so I know he doesn't know) as often as when I'm interacting with him or he can see me across the room. I can't see any specific trigger for it.

The tank is in my room.

Can seizures gradually worsen over a creature's life? Or do you think they'll stay short and not too hindering like they are now?

 

[jfulcher]

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They can, BUT it doesn't mean it WILL. Just watch him, find a vet and call them an ask some questions. They don't sound too bad yet, and if they get a little worse, then work from there. When he gets to old age like 5yrs old they may worsen as with any problem anyone has. OR he may grow out of it. With proper care, as it seems you are giving him

he should live a pretty good life! Give him the right feed, and what not and attention like you have an he should be right as rain! Some people massage their quail I just read on a page headline gently if they have a bad seizure.

 

[jfulcher]

And seizures are def going to leave you dazed and confused looking/feeling so that natural

 

[annelle]

Thank you so much for your imput. There's a bird specialist vet that works down the road from my neighborhood sometimes so I'm gonna try to get a hold of him tomorrow and see what he thinks. I'll keep everyone updated on my little baby's progress <3