By Rosemary Low
Zebedee was a nine months old male Eclectus Parrot, lovingly hand-reared by his owner. He spent at least three hours outside his cage daily, with his owner and on a large play gym. He had a spacious cage. He took a bath three times a week and his diet was exceptionally varied. This sounds like a recipe for a happy and healthy parrot, but he was neither happy nor healthy. He was a sick bird with black stress lines on his new feathers. His behaviour had become increasingly aggressive and unpredictable. His frustrations were vented in screaming sessions which were very disturbing.
When he was six months old veterinary advice was sought. He was plagued by bouts of sneezing and he had a nasal discharge. His skin was flaky and itchy. The veterinarian carried out blood tests and made various cultures including one from the choana (the apertures at the back of the nasal passage). With treatment the sneezing decreased, but did not stop. The vet was puzzled. He had not seen a similar case and he did not know what was wrong with Zebedee.
One month after the veterinary consultation the Eclectus started to have mild seizures. The vet suggested he should have a head x-ray as the problem might have been caused by epilepsy or a brain tumour. His owner refused. She did not want him to have any more tests or treatments. He had suffered an allergic reaction to oral and injectable Trimethoprim sulfadoxine, an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.