My old zebra finch has leg paralysis. What can I do to help?

Question

My 14 year old zebra finch has had a stroke and appears to have paralysis in his legs. Is there anything that can be done to treat this? Thanks. Pet's info: Bird | Unknown - Bird | Male | unneutered

Miranda Sadar, DVM, DACZM · Accepted Answer

I am sorry to hear that Leo is having difficulty walking. Without seeing any pictures, or knowing if you have had a cerebral vascular accident (aka stroke) diagnosed by a veterinarian, I am going to speak about difficulty walking in general. When birds exhibit this sign, it can be due to a number of reasons. I haven't had the opportunity to see a zebra finch as old as Leo, as typical lifespan is around 10 years old in my experience. With his age, I would be concerned that there is a problem with his joints or his muscles/bones, his organs, or he could have a mass somewhere that is pushing on his nerves to make him weak or unable to walk. I would recommend having Leo seen by a veterinarian. They would gather information about what is going on, and then perform a thorough physical exam on him. They would feel his legs to see if he has any changes to them or issues with their range of motion, would feel his body and belly for any masses, would feel his body condition to see if he is thin, and depending on the findings, they may make recommendations for diagnostic tests including radiographs (x-rays) or blood work to evaluate his organs and systemic health. Please keep Leo in a small cage with no perches and soft padding until you can get to the vet, and please make sure he has food and water within reach.

My old zebra finch has leg paralysis. What can I do to help?

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