Birds make wonderful pets. Parakeets, cockatoos, and parrots of all sizes are surprisingly intelligent and fun to watch. Finches and canaries are beautiful. All birds are surprisingly delicate, however. A bird can go from seemingly healthy to requiring emergency care from a professional vet in Bowie very quickly.
First Aid for Pet Birds
It’s impossible to prevent or be prepared for every possible accident or medical emergency for a pet bird. There are a few preventive steps that can help when minutes count.
1. Establish a relationship with a vet who routinely treats birds.
2. Find out if the vet is available for emergencies. If a cat managed to injure your bird at night or on a weekend or the bird is suddenly very ill, you need an avian veterinarian.
3. Assemble an avian first aid kit and become familiar with the contents. Know how and when to use them. First aid treatment could keep your bird alive long enough to reach your vet.
4. Consult with your vet about what you should have on hand for your bird. At a minimum, include: name, address and phone number of the vet, scissors or grooming tools, sterile gauze, styptic powder or sticks, a heating pad or other method to maintain body heat and a feeding syringe or medicine dropper.
Take Your Bird to the Vet for Immediate Care
1. Cat or Dog Attack: Apply pressure with a gauze pad to control bleeding, but be careful not to restrict breathing.
2. Bleeding from the Tongue: This is an emergency. Never apply styptic, but head to the vet.
3. Toenail Bleeding: Apply styptic. If bleeding doesn’t stop in 1-2 minutes, go to the vet.
4. Breathing Problems: There can be many possible causes, but your bird is in serious trouble.
5. Burns: Your bird can go into shock. Hold the injured area under cold, running water for a few minutes and call your vet immediately.
6. Chills: A shivering bird can be cold from external causes or be very ill. Call your vet.
7. Poison: A bird can be poisoned by a household plant, fumes from an insect spray or other causes. Try to figure out the cause and call your vet.
When your bird needs immediate treatment by a Professional Vet in Bowie, Gambrills Veterinary Center has the best-equipped veterinarian facility in the area. They are able to provide the specific care and treatment needed by birds and other exotic pets.
