Question:
My daughter has been caretaker of an older cockatiel for several years now. He has had past issues with being poked at by his previous owners and does not like to be handled much. My daughter is very careful about approaching him.He has experienced, fairly frequently, what we thought might be night frights, but his symptoms also include panting and loss of wing and leg movement. My daughter fears he might be suffering from seizures. She is unable to help except by speaking softly to him to try and comfort him. After a while, he snaps out of it and returns to normal behavior. This almost always happens at night.My daughter's lost a lot of sleep during these events. Keeping a soft light on all night seems to help, but has not stopped the episodes. What's going on here? My daughter feels so helpless.
C.W., Ballston Spa, NY Sep 05, 2004
Answer:
The old cockatiel is showing the cardinal signs of a conditioned emotional reaction -- an anxiety attack brought on by human presence associated with being teased, most likely at night.Abnormal behavior problems often develop in caged birds as a result of improper handling and abuse. Body tremors, ataxia (lack of coordination), paralysis and seizures are indicative of the poor bird's acute emotional distress.I would cover his cage and continue to keep a soft light near it all night, avoid coming close to him and perhaps also have some soft classical music playing on a radio to act as a comforting "sound blanket."If he will accept a little weak, cold chamomile tea in his water dispenser, this will help calm him down. Misting his living space with a mixture of water and pure Roman chamomile or lavender oil, or placing a few drops of this oil on a nearby night-light to slowly evaporate, should also help.
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