Wings of Wonder Avian Rescue

Avian Health Cages Nutrition Behavior Hazards First Aid

Adopting a Bird Our Adopted Birds

Our Permanent Residents

African Grays Amazons Cockatiels Cockatoos Conures Lovebirds Macaws Quakers

First Aid - Prevention is the Key

Some Examples to Have in Your Avian First Aid Kit:

Avian Veterinarian Phone Number
Health Records
Gram Scale (to weigh bird)
Heating Pad
Heat Lamp
Hydrogen Peroxide
Antibacterial Soap (like Novalsan)
Dilute Iodine (Betadine)
Artificial Tears (eye flush)
Cauterizing Products (corn starch, flour, silver nitrate, KwikStop, soap bar)
Topical Ointment (antibiotic cream, oxyfresh gel)
Tongue Depressors
Popsicle Sticks
Towels (appropriate size)
Peptobismol (only on advice of poison control or veterinarian)
Kaopectate (only on advice of poison control or veterinarian)

Pure Aloe Vera Gel
Magnifying Glass
Wire Cutters
Hemostat or Needle Nose Pliers
Pedialyte or Gatorade
Baby Food (vegetables and fruit)
Silvadene Cream
Gauze Pads
Gauze Roll
Q-Tips
Scissors
Masking tape
Vet wrap or Co-Flex
Isopropyl alcohol
Eye droppers
Oral syringes
Small flashlight
Small indoor cage
Traveling cage
Avian first aid book

First Aid Conditions:

Broken Blood Feathers
1. try to keep bird quiet, flapping wings will make it worse
2. allow bleeding to stop on its own, if possible
3. pack corn starch into broken feather shaft, if possible
4. if bleeding won't stop, call VET
5. if feather shaft is pulled, damage could occur to feather follicle or heavier bleeding could occur
Bleeding from Mouth or Nostrils (Nares)
1. call VET immediately (emergency situation)
2. keep bird quiet and place him in a small, darkened enclosure
Broken Nail or Beak
1. restrain bird
2. dab area with gauze, apply cauterizing product (corn starch or soap bar)
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, call VET
2. small cuts or scrapes, clean and apply antibiotic cream sparingly
3. deep or large cuts or scrapes, call VET
4. apply pressure to control bleeding
5. place bird in small, darkened enclosure and transport to VET
6. large amounts of blood lost, carefully offer Pedialyte or Gatorade
7. birds can only lose 10% of body weight in grams
Burns
1. wash area in cold water
2. call VET
3. place bird in small, darkened enclosure and keep warm
4. aloe vera gel or silvadene applied if area is appropriate
Inhalants (exposure to non-stick coatings, cleaning products, carpet fresheners...)
1. remove bird to fresh air immediately
2. call VET, most birds do not survive these exposures
Foreign Body Ingestion (swallowing strange objects)
1. observe bird and keep him quiet
2. try to locate object to see if they did, in fact, swallow it
3. call VET for advice
Broken Bones
1. place bird in small, darkened enclosure and keep warm
2. provide towels in enclosure for support
3. call VET and transport as soon as possible
Poisoning
1. determine what and how much was eaten
2. call VET or poison control and follow their advice
3. if so advised, give Kaopectate or Peptobismol (1cc / 100 grams of body weight)
Egg Bound
1. know first if your bird is a female
2. recognize symptons (sitting on bottom of cage, fluffed up, straining, nesting behaviors)
3. call VET
Sick Bird
1. call VET
2. place bird in small, darkened enclosure and keep warm
3. offer favorite foods, such as millet
4. offer Pedialyte or Gatorade
Excessive Egg Laying
1. do not remove egg if single pet bird, she will continue to lay eggs
2. decrease amount of light exposure to 8-10 hours per day
3. increase amount of calcium in diet (excessive low calcium will cause weakness or seizures)
4. call VET

Disclaimer: The information on this web site is meant as a guideline only
and is not intended to replace the recommendations of your veterinarian