Bird First Aid

by NCS Member - Teresa Linton
from NCS Magazine - 1996

Copyright Notice & Disclaimer Statement

I put this information together last year from a combination of different books. Unfortunately, I was only planning on using it for myself so I didn't write down my sources. It has occurred to me that this information might help a lot of people who need immediate help, but have no quick access to a good bird vet. This information should in NO WAY be used as a substitute for visiting an avian vet.

AIR SAC RUPTURE - ANOREXIA - BLEEDING - BROKEN BLOOD FEATHER - BROKEN BONES - BURNS

CAT BITES - CONVULSIONS - CROP BURNS - CROP EMPTYING PROBLEMS - DIARRHEA - EGG BINDING

EYE PROBLEMS - HEATSTROKE - OIL CONTAMINATION OF FEATHERS - POISON - SHOCK - VOMITING

FOOD FOR SICK BIRD - HYDRATION FOR SICK BIRD - HYDRATION FOR BABY BIRD

Signs of Illness

  • innactivity

  • eyes closed most of the time

  • feathers fluffed all of the time

  • "droopy" wings

  • low, almost horizontal, posture on the perch

  • talking and vocalization stops

  • eating stops

  • noisy breathing

  • freequent sneezing

  • discharge from nose

  • tail bobbing with each breath

  • perching with neck extended and beak grasping wire of cage (bird does this to keep breathing passages straight to make breathing more effortless)

  • vomiting

  • soiled or pasted vent

  • feathers lost and not replaced

  • bleeding

  • weigh loss

  • swelling

  • changes in water consumption

  • changes in routine and habits

  • change in droppings

  • change in activity level

  • decrease in preening activity

  • frequent flicking of the head

  • remaining at bottom of cage

  • self mutilation

  • regression

  • dehydration (weakness, sunken eyes, feet cool, ridging of skin over sides of toes)

 

AIR SAC RUPTURE

Disinfect skin. Poke with sterile needle to allow air to escape. Repeat as necessary. (Air sacs are located inside the neck, chest, and belly. When ruptured, air will leak from the sac and accumulate under the bird's skin. If air in not released, the tear in the sac will enlarge. IF there is no improvement within 48 hours, see vet for surgical repair or antibiotic therapy.

ANOREXIA

Feed with a syringe. *only if you know what you are doing*

BLEEDING

Cleanse the area gently with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, Nolvasan, or Betadine. Apply styptic powder, cornstarch, baking soda, flour, boric acid, or a red hot needle to stop the bleeding. If necessary, cover the wound with gauze pads and hold firm pressure on wound for two minutes. Leave the gauze on. IF cut is on leg or feet, apply antibiotic ointment, then bandage loosely. If cuts are on the body, cover with guaze and appropriate size sock, (cut hole in toe of sock for head and holes for legs). NOTE: this doesn't work well with smaller birds. Do not bandage over styptic powder.

BROKEN BLOOD FEATHERS

Grasp the bleeding feather shaft firmly with hemostat or needle-nose pliers at base of feather close to the skin, holding wing firmly and pull shaft out smartly. If follicle bleeds apply pressure for 1 minute with thumb and index finger.

BROKEN BONES

Look for shock symptoms (see Shock). Wings - cut toe out of appropriate size sock allowing bird room to expand chest while breathing. Place over bird with head through cut hole and cut opening for feet. BROKEN TOES - wrap guaze into ball. Put foot around ball. Wrap foot to guaze ball with guaze.

BURNS

Spray or flush with cool water. Glaze burns twice daily with small amounts of antibiotic ointment.

BY ACID: put on a thin coat of baking soda paste.

BY BASE (like Bleach): treat with vinegar.

BY GREASE: sprinkle with flour or cornstarch before rinsing with water. Be careful not to get any in eyes or nose.

CAT BITES

Wash out with hydrogen peroxide. Apply antibiotic ointment. Take to vet for shot of injectable ampicillin. (Cats transmit a bacterium called pasteurella with their bites or scratches. In birds, this causes Pasteurella septicemia, which means death within 24 hours if not treated.)

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CONVULSIONS

Place in a quiet, padded box. Can be caused by poisoning, nutritional deficiency, epilepsy, or infectious disease (bacterial, fungal, viral or parasitic.)

CROP BURNS

If you realize in time, flush the crop with cold water. If crop appears swollen and discolored (many days after) apply vitamin A ad D ointment and feed small meals.

CROP EMPTYING PROBLEMS

A few drops of Maalox or Digel, or a few drops of mineral oil (orally and message crop).

DIARRHEA

Remove fresh fruits and grit. Feed cooked white rice, peanut butter, baby pablum, canned baby foods, Chamomile tea, or a few deops of Pepto Bismol.

EGG BINDING

Put bird in steamy room (like bathroom with shower on). 85-90 degrees F, humidity 60%. Put bird on wet toweling. Give high calorie, high calcium food.

EYE PROBLEMS

Keep bird away from intense light. Flush eye with clean water, use cotton ball or syringe. OBJECT IN EYE: float it out with KY Jelly or Opthalmil ointment.

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HEATSTROKE

Spray feathers with cold water. Put feet in cold water. Place in cold room. Watch bird for shock. Wrap loosely in towel to prevent chill.

OIL CONTAMINATION OF FEATHERS

Dust bird with cornstarch or flour (keep away from eyes and nose). Suggestion - Fill pillowcase with flour, cut hole for head, stick it through, gently shake it. Then fill sink with 3 or 4 inches of warm water and mild detergent (like Dawn). Work soap in direction of feather growth and rinse (sink spray attachment helpful). Dry and keep warm. Wait until next day to repeat (if necessary).

POISON

If by Acid, Alkalis, or petroleum product: make the bird swallow milk, mixed with Pepto Bismol, eggwhite, or olive oil. DO NOT MAKE BIRD VOMIT.

If by other: induce vomiting. Use mustard and water solution put at the back of the throat.

If known: call poison control center. If burned, see burns. (Mushrooms, crayons, some fruit pits, nicotine, chocolate, mirror backing, foil, etc. . . are bird poisons.)

SHOCK

symptoms: fluffed feathers, not moving, rapid shallow breathing, head may be turned with eyes partly closed.

Place bird in warm (86-90 degrees F.), secluded, dimly lit environment. If accompanied by life threatening injuries, treat immediately.

VOMITING

a few drops of Pepto Bismol.

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FOOD FOR SICK BIRD

Mix one pint of water, one pint of Gatorade, 1 teaspoon of honey or Karo syrup, 1 level teaspoon of baking soda, 1 level teaspoon table salt.

Caution: Measure with care; inaccurate measurements can cause severe diarrhea.

HYDRATION FOR SICK BIRD

Orange or cherry juice

HYDRATION FOR BABY BIRD

Lactated Ringers solution--for compacted or sluggish crop. You can use the solution instead of water to mix the formula. Contains Electrolytes.

Pedialyte--(can be found in baby food section of grocery) electrolyte replacement therapy in case baby isn't doing well.

EDITORS NOTE: Sick birds may also be given a product called Carbo Fuel (found in most health food stores and some grocery stores) mixed with Pedialyte instead of water. This provides the electrolytes and carbohydrates needed by many sick birds to maintain their energy.

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