Cockatiel holds Head Upside Down!!! Why?

Rob Ruddy

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Jun 17, 1996, 3:00:00 AM6/17/96

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A friend of mine has owned three cockatiels over the last 15 years.
The first two have died from old age. The remaining one has developed
this strange (at least to me and my friend) affliction if you will.
Its head is turned upside down. I mean permanently! When it is sitting
on its perch the neck is turned to the side to such a degree that its
head is actually upside down. It has been this way for a long time now
(1-2 years) but the bird is very healthy, eats well and carries on
with its daily business as if nothing is wrong! Can anyone out there
tell me what is going on here with this otherwise perfectly normal
cockatiel? We find it rather odd that this particular bird is the one
that has out-lived the others. Thank you.

Rob
Ottawa, Canada

Monica Sudds

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Jun 17, 1996, 3:00:00 AM6/17/96

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Possibly the bird has some form of epilepsy? Possibly, the bird has
sustained some injury, that he has gotten over. You could suggest that
they take the bird in for some x-rays to see what (if anything) is
going on. Maybe there is a tumor or something that is inhibiting the
neck mobility. I'm at a loss other than this. If they are not willing
to do the veterinary stuff, just tell them to love him and keep him
happy and well fed. Even though I would like to, I can't change the
world. I can only give advice. It's up to the owners of the birds to
follow it. Until birds get to vote, we can only try to help them as
best we can. IT'S ALL UP TO THE OWNERS. I have given up trying to save
every bird in the world. I've cried myself to sleep too many nights
over phone calls from persons who want an easy out. Persons who want
you to solve all their problems. Persons who DON'T GIVE A DAMN about
the bird if it has to cost them money!

One thing I have never figured out is why someone will acquire a free
dog and do all kinds of veterinary care (to the tune of $150-200) a
year in expenses, then go out and buy a $1500 Macaw and think that
they will need nothing. They don't do checkups!!!! They don't do
ANYTHING!!!! My customers, I groom from day one of the sale! I tell
them that they should take the bird in to the avian vet at least 2
times per year for a check up. Most don't listen. Oh, well, many do. I
try.

Anyway, back to the subject, I tend to ramble. Tell them what you
think is appropriate, and then, they have to make the decision. I hope
they decide to seek veterinary advice.

Monica

rudd...@ic.gc.ca (Rob Ruddy) wrote:

>Rob
>Ottawa, Canada

===============================================================================
Monica Sudds CAS, Pres. Beakers Parrot Society, Iowa State Coordinator for AFA
Beakers Exotics bea...@probe.net http://www.probe.net/~beakers/
3217 Italy Avenue 712) 642-4578 24 hr. fax (712) 642-3710
Missouri Valley, IA 51555 (comments, questions and polite critisism welcome!)
===============================================================================

Shelly L. Coarson

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Jun 18, 1996, 3:00:00 AM6/18/96

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Something you wrote caught my eye. If your friend has had 3
'tiels within 15 years, I would say something else might be
coming into play here. I am very surprised your friends 'tiels
have been this short lived! I have a 16, soon to be 17 YO 'tiel
(thank the Lord!) going strong. My vet sees 'tiels into their
late teens often - less common over 20 years old. Also, this
head thing is not normal and I would suggest your friend should
see an avian vet with this remaining bird. Perhaps this avain
vet could analyze the many facets that could be contributing to
such shortgevity. Wondering what diet your friend feeds, and
the lifestyle she provides for the bird, what the cage sits near, etc..

Shelly from Dayton
Owned by Jake (1.5YO Pompus Senegal) & Bimbo (16 YO Superior 'Tiel)
>==========Rob Ruddy, 6/17/96==========

Troy Bull

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Jun 19, 1996, 3:00:00 AM6/19/96

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Rob Ruddy wrote:
>
> A friend of mine has owned three cockatiels over the last 15 years.
> The first two have died from old age. The remaining one has developed
> this strange (at least to me and my friend) affliction if you will.
> Its head is turned upside down. I mean permanently! When it is sitting
> on its perch the neck is turned to the side to such a degree that its
> head is actually upside down. It has been this way for a long time now
> (1-2 years) but the bird is very healthy, eats well and carries on
> with its daily business as if nothing is wrong! Can anyone out there
> tell me what is going on here with this otherwise perfectly normal
> cockatiel? We find it rather odd that this particular bird is the one
> that has out-lived the others. Thank you.
>
> Rob
> Ottawa, Canada