Caring for Sick Birds

Caring for a sick pet can be an arduous task, but dealing with a sick bird is especially difficult. All too often, the illness becomes very serious before it is even noticed. An avian veterinarian should be contacted as soon as possible if you suspect your bird is ill. If you can’t reach your vet right away there are several steps you can take to help your bird until you do.

Keeping your sick bird warm is your first priority. A great way to do this is by using a grow light. Position the light in a way that the bird can easily retreat if the heat is too intense. The additional warmth and security of a hospital cage may be necessary if the bird is too ill to perch.

If available, use an aquarium for your hospital cage. In the aquarium should be some kind of bedding as well as shallow containers of food and water. Make sure you line the bottom with something that the bird won’t slip on and further injure himself. Towels or newspaper with paper towels on top of it will be sufficient.

A freestanding triangle perch or some other type of low perch should also be placed inside the aquarium. Shine the grow light on the side of the cage to provide warmth. If the light is positioned this way, your bird will be able to move away from it too cool down if need be.

Your bird’s normal cage can be turned into a hospital cage if an aquarium is unavailable. Most of the cage should be covered with a towel to retain heat. A low perch, as well as containers of food and water should also be placed on the bottom of the cage.

At this point, it’s very important to ensure that your bird does not become dehydrated or weak from not eating. Spoon feeding a small amount of sports drink can provide the sick bird with electrolytes giving him some added energy. If your bird is used to being handfed, he will gladly take the drink provided he has the strength for it. Hand feeding formula can be mixed with some of the sports drink to enhance the taste if the bird will not take it mixed with water.

If the bird’s illness has not weakened him to the point of not eating, then electrolytes may not be necessary. Monitor the bird’s food intake closely, and if he starts to seem like he’s getting weaker, a small amount of spray millet should give him a boost of energy.

Sometimes, emergency care is required to stabilize the bird and tend to any injuries before placed him in a hospital cage. If you notice blood, you will want to find out if it is coming from a feather that is broken. The only feathers that will usually bleed are the new feathers. These are known as blood feathers and because they are still growing they tend to bleed when broken.

The bleeding will only stop if the blood feather is taken all the way out. To avoid getting bit and sustaining an injury of your own, you will want to cover the bird’s head with a towel while you pull the feather out. Even the friendliest of birds can resort to biting when they experience the pain of having a feather pulled out. Flour or styptic powder should be applied if the injury is a bleeding toe or ripped nail.

         

More Articles on Bird Health Care: