My budgie sleeps, drinks much, and had a 20-min seizure. What's wrong?

Hello there! I'm sorry to hear about Machete's seizures. Birds are very hard to diagnose, and seizures can happen with several different disorders of birds, including kidney disease, liver disease, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), amongst other bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. If Machete isn't responding to the current treatment, I would ask your veterinarian to investigate other possible causes of the seizures, and potentially try another treatment. While the bloodwork results you posted could certainly be indicative of kidney disease, there is also some indicators of fatty liver disease (which can also cause seizures) and/or atherosclerosis (which happens to be more common in Quaker parrots). This is especially true if Machete has been on a high-seed diet, which is high in fat and can contribute to these diseases. There are other diagnostic tools that can be utilized to come to a definitive diagnosis, such as biopsies and more sensitive blood tests. Please consider reaching out to your veterinarian for further evaluations and treatment so that Machete can get well. Best of luck to you and Machete!

Thanks for reaching out about Henry. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give some aid. A diet in seed is very deficient in vitamins and minerals, and protein. If this is a metabolic disorder, neoplasia or other, a veterinary visit is needed to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Good luck.

I would be concerned that something serious is going on with your bird. Weakness and seizure activity can be a sign of progressive liver disease. Ideally you should find an avian veterinarian in your area that can help diagnose what is going on with Tequila. The vet will most likely recommend lab work and possibly X-rays. I’m sorry we can’t be of more help. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Kiwi. A damage flight feather should not alter flight significantly, as they can fly when they molt. Lethargy and sleeping during the day (to conserve energy) are clinical signs of being sick, the question is why. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give some support. Monitor fecal production by a total cage clean-out. Sick birds often act like they're eating but aren't. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Multiple possibilities include ingestion of foreign material (metal, fabric, wood, etc.), metabolic concerns (liver, renal), infections (viral, bacterial) and others. Good luck.

I would strongly recommend a veterinary check up as soon as possible to determine the underlying cause of the seizures and give appropriate treatment. Infectious diseases affecting the central nervous system, nutritional causes, toxicities, secondary seizures (liver problems), metabolic diseases (hypoglycemia and hypocalcemia) are only few of the differentials. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation (where you can post pictures ) if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Nutritional deficiency, liver or kidney disease, intestinal parasites or bacterial, viral or fungal infection are all possibilities. An exam with your veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian is strongly recommended to diagnose the exact illness or injury. The vet can administer supportive care if indicated. Offer a commercial pelleted diet moistened with warm water or a hand feeding formula to stimulate his appetite and get some nutrition into him. Keep him warm and as stress free as possible until he sees the veterinarian.

Thanks for reaching out about Shadow. By the picture and the blue cere, is probably a boy. If not eating or drinking, this is very serious as these small birds have little caloric stores to compensate. Providing supplemental heat in the 80-85 degree range might give some aid. A veterinary visit is highly recommended, and soon. Older budgieregars are prone to metabolic concerns (kidney, liver) and other problems. Ingested foreign bodies or toxicities are also common if allowed free roam. Good luck.