AVIAN FIRST AID
Avian patients are usually very ill by the time the owner recognizes there is a problem. This may compromise treatment. Your first line of defense is having established a relationship with an Avian Vet when your bird is well. Keep your vet’s number in your cell phone and home phone listing.
PREVENTION IS KEY TO HEALTHY LONG LIVED PARROTS
◾Avian Veterinarian
◾Proper nutrition
◾Clean, safe, stimulating environment
◾Avian first aid kit
◾Knowing what is normal for your bird
◾Early detection of health problems or trauma
EMERGENCIES & TREATMENTS
Stay calm and try to clearly access condition
BROKEN BLOOD FEATHER
1. Try to keep bird quiet, flapping will make things worse.
2. Allow bleeding to stop on its own if possible.
3. Pack corn starch, styptic or flour into broken feather shaft if possible.
4. Contact Vet if bleeding won’t stop.
5. If feather shaft is pulled, damage could occur to feather follicle or heavier bleeding could occur. Become familiar with how to pull a blood feather before it occurs!
BLEEDING FROM MOUTH OR NARES
1. Real emergency, call Vet immediately!
2. Keep bird quiet, put in small enclosure.
BROKEN NAIL OR BEAK
1. Restrain bird
2. Dab area with gauze, apply cauterizing product (for the Beak corn starch or soap bar is a better choice).
3. Observe to make sure bleeding has stopped.
4. Uncontrolled bleeding, more than a few minutes CALL VET!
SKIN CUTS
1. Wounds from other animals (cats, dogs, etc.) Call Vet now! Septicemia sets in quickly!!
2. Small cuts or scrapes, clean & apply antibiotic sparingly.
3. Deep or large cuts or scrapes CALL VET.
4. Apply pressure to control bleeding.
BURNS
1. Wash area in cold water.
2. CALL VET!
3. Place bird in small dark enclosure, keep warm.
4. Apply Aloe Vera gel or silvadene if appropriate.
5. Offer Pedialyte or Gatorade if appropriate.
INHALANTS (EXPOSURE TO TEFLON, CLEANING PRODUCTS, CARPET FRESHENERS)
1. Remove bird to fresh air immediately.
2. CALL VET, most birds do not survive!!
BROKEN BONES
1. Place bird in small dark enclosure, keep warm.
2. Provide towels in enclosure for support.
3. Call vet, transport as soon as possible.
POISONING
1. Call vet or poison control and follow advice.
2. If advised give Kaopectate, Peptobismol (1cc/100 grams body weight).
EGG BOUND
1. Recognize symptoms (bottom of cage, fluffed up, straining, nesting behaviors)
2. Call Vet.
3. Provide heat & humidity if treated at home.
4. Is your bird a female?
EXCESSIVE EGG LAYING
1. Do not remove eggs in single pet bird or she will continue to lay eggs.
2. Decrease amount of light bird is exposed to, 8 to 10 hours a day.
3. Increase amount of calcium in diet.