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Avian First-Aid

Most homes and all business's have a first aid kit somewhere. Some individuals even have them in their cars. All bird owners should have an avian first aid kit. Having one already together can make things much easier in the event that emergency does happen.

The things that your kit should contain:

Veterinary clinic number and directions to the clinic. A travel cage. Phone number of your local poison control. Scissors and other instruments used for cutting, Q-tips, tape, sterile gauze, roll of gauze, antibiotic ointment, Betadine or chlorhexidine (Novalsan) to clean wounds, Styptic powder or sticks to help stop bleeding, pliers or hemostats, heating pad, bottle, or lamp to help maintain the bird's body heat, towels of appropriate size for the bird to provide padding or restraint, and a medicine dropper or feeding syringe.

Common Injuries

Here are some home care instructions for common injuries. A vet should always be consulted before you attempt to do anything you are not experienced in doing.

Blood Feathers can cause what appears to be a lot of blood loss. They are relatively easy to treat. Pack the broken shaft with styptic powder or flour. Apply minimal pressure with a gauze or tefla pad while traveling to the veterinarian. At the clinic, the veterinarian will probably pull out the bleeding shaft. If you have been shown how to do this, it is something you can do at home. The bleeding normally stops after the shaft has been removed. Cat or dog attack can be terrifying to your bird and always requires assistance from a veterinarian. If a bleeding wound results, at home apply direct pressure with a gauze pad, but do not restrict breathing. Because mouths and teeth carry infection-causing bacteria, wounds must be cleaned and treated by your veterinarian. Even if no wounds are visible, your bird can easily have experienced an internal wound. Look for broken bones. If a wing is broken, wrap both wings loosely to the body with gauze, and then tape to prevent further injury from wing flapping. Do not tape tightly or the bird will not be able to breathe. If skull or leg bones are broken, do not attempt to treat at home as further damage may occur. Handle your bird calmly, and keep her quiet and warm, to avoid adding to her stress.

Small wounds or superficial abrasions can be cleaned at home with betadine or hydrogen peroxide. Use a tweezers to remove any dirt or feathers. Then apply a small amount of anti-bacterial ointment. It should heal within a couple of days. Do not allow the bird to pick at it. In case of deeper cuts or wounds, seek veterinary advice as further treatment may be necessary.

Bleeding from the tongue can be serious. To help prevent injury, check the cage regularly for loose wire, broken toys, or other sharp objects, and watch your bird carefully when she is out of her cage. Because her tongue contains many blood vessels it may bleed profusely if injured. Seek veterinarian attention immediately. Never apply styptic to her tongue.

Bleeding toenails are easy to treat with a styptic stick or powder. The bleeding should stop within a minute or so. If the bleeding does not stop, take your bird to the veterinarian.

Breathing trouble can occur for many reasons. First, check your bird's nostrils for blockage. If mucus is present, wipe it away with a damp cloth. Next, look for other blockages such as seeds or dirt. Because the operculum, a small part of the birds anatomy inside of the nostril can easily be mistaken for a foreign body, have your veterinarian examine and remove any suspected blockage. Panting or open-mouth breathing can be caused by overheating due to fright, exercise, environmental temperature, or illness. Overheated birds can develop heatstroke. In these cases the bird may also hold its wings outstretched from his body, pant heavily, and even collapse. Allow the bird to remain quiet in a cooler place. Mist the bird with cool water and have it stand on a cold wet towel. Don't cool the bird down too fast. Contact your veterinarian to determine if further treatment is needed.

Burns require fast attention. Run cold water over the affected area for several minutes. Then dry the area gently with gauze and apply cold compresses. If the burn is severe or extensive, your birds may go into shock. Symptoms can include weakness, rapid breathing, pale mucous membranes, and possibly collapse. For all burns, call your veterinarian. He or she will determine whether a clinic visit is necessary and will likely prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.

Chills result from external and internal causes, or both. Your bird will literally shiver. First, determine the cause of the chilling. If it is due to illness or injury seek immediate veterinary attention. If it is due to environmental conditions such as power outage or drafts, fix the problem or relocate the bird. To warm your bird use a heat lamp or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. Take extreme care to not burn the bird. Monitor the air temperature to avoid overheating.

Poisoning can easily be fatal. If the toxin is inhaled such as fumes from a Teflon pan, remove your bird to a well-ventilated area. If your bird had external contact with a poison, such as insect sprays, bathe the bird immediately. If the bird ingested a toxin, such as a plant or a household cleaner, get the name of the toxin. Any time poisoning is thought to be a possibility, the veterinarian or Poison Control Center will need to know the name of the toxin, the active ingredients, the weight of the bird, how much was consumed, when the exposure occurred, and any symptoms the bird currently is showing.

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Last modified: 11/28/07