need advice for sick nestling

[Veronica G]

Hi everyone. Late yesterday afternoon we found a nestling on the ground under one of our housing systems. He looks to be about 13 days old. He seemed a bit skinny, so we decide to put him in a box and feed him some crickets all day today before putting him back in his nest tomorrow. He's eating pretty well, but there is something obviously wrong with him. He seems to have a really bad equilibrium problem. He falls over a lot and can't right himself, and he shakes his head back and forth very rapidly for several seconds. After that, his head usually falls way back so that the back of his head is touching his back. Any ideas what might be wrong with him? I'm beginning to think he was pushed out of the nest because he's sick.

Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Veronica

[Louise Chambers]

That does not sound good

You can leave a message with Penny,

Penny Halstead
Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
972-225-4000
214-417-0958 Cell Phone
LANDLORD BY PROXY
State & Federal Sub-permitted Rehabilitator
2009 - Received 150 Nestlings/Fledglings for Rehab Released: 102
2011 - Received 173 Nestlings/Fledglings/Adults for Rehab Released: 133

[ToyinPA]

Could be aspergillus. If so doubt you can help him without meds.

You can try dipping crickets in orange Gatorade & see if it helps restore the electrolytes. They get dehydrated due to lack of food.

If you put him in the nest before he fully recovers he will not make it.

Also check the nest for mites/lice/blow fly larva. Replace nest & put some powered Sevin under it.

Best wishes,
Toy in PA

[Veronica G]

Penny was very helpful. She thinks his symptoms are a result of dehydration. She gave us very detailed instructions on how to help him before putting him back in his nest.

ToyinPA: Geez, I sure hope it's not aspergillus. That sounds pretty bad. We're gonna try what Penny suggested. Hopefully it's just dehydration. I'm doing a nest check today and will definitely be checking for mites and other critters.

Thanks for your help! I'll let you folks know how the little one responds.

Veronica

[TX Rehabber]

Toy in PA:

The symptoms that Veronica’s Martin is exhibiting are neurological in nature, of which there might be several different causes. In birds, Dehydration and/or malnutrition, head trauma from falls, poisoning, West Nile Virus just to name a few will cause neurological problems.

Aspergillosis is a fungal disease that is respiratory in nature.

[ToyinPA]

Thanks Penny .

Reason I said Aspergillis is I had chicks with it before & they acted the same way.

I hope the little one makes it.

Toy in PA

[ToyinPA]

Veronica:

Glad you were able to speak with Penny. She's a wealth of information.

I hope your little one makes it.

Toy in PA