The following article is used with the written permission of the author, Gillian Willis, pharmacist and toxicologist.
Bird Falls From Perches
There has been a considerable amount of discussion regarding African Greys falling from their perches. This can be "normal" behaviour in Greys - some of whom are natural clutzes, or it can be a sign of underlying disease. In Greys, low dietary calcium resulting in hypocalcemia may be a cause.
Heavy metal (eg lead or zinc) poisoning should also be considered. Lead poisoning is the most common form of poisoning in the avian species. Zinc poisoning produces similar tozic effects, except that with zinc poisoning, seizures are uncommon.
I have been consulted on two cases of birds who fell off their perches, who were also depressed and anorexic. Zinc poisoning was the likely cause in both of these birds.The first case was a B & G macaw, who was previously healthy. He presented at the avian veterinarians after falling off his perch. The bird was depressed and not eating. Blood work and x-rays were negative for lead.
The bird's cage had been painted two days earlier with a "rust paint." This paint contained up to 1 % of zinc chromate.
The bird was treated with S.C. Lactated Ringer's Solution (LRS) to rehydrate and with antidotal chelating agents to bind the zinc. The bird responded well to treatment.
The second case involved a 4-yr-old, previously healthy CAG who presented at the veterinarian's with a bleeding beak sustained during a fall from her perch. The bird was depressed, was not eating and had stopped vocalizing.
On questioning the owner, the bird had been quieter than normal for a few days prior to falling off her perch on a number of occasions.
The bird had been placed in a larger, old cage two weeks previously. It had been painted with a lead-free latex paint. However, the owner stated that the cage was rusty prior to painting.
The owner admitted to using an anti-rust primer that she had been assured was safe for birds. The bird had been chewing on the paint which had started to flake off.
X-ray was negative for lead. Blood calcium was low normal. Blood zinc levels were not determined.
The bird was given calcium gluconate, LRS, started on chelation therapy and placed in a brooder unit. One day later, the bird was much brighter, more active and eating fairly well. Zinc poisoning from the "anti-rust" paint was suspected as the cause of this bird's illness.
When considering paints for your bird's cage, ensure that it is both free of lead AND of zinc.
Paints to prevent or to cover rust, usually contain zinc salts and should not be used around birds.
Heavy metal poisoning should be considered as a reason for unexplained falls from the perch.
Gillian Willis
Vancouver, BC
Copyright © Gillian A.Willis.
Permission to re-use any part of this text (whole or in part)
must be obtained from the author.