Apparently, there was a law passed stating that when your bird needs medical attention, your vet must be closed. Probably for the weekend.
Sure, there are all night emergency vet clinics available, but chances are there won’t be an avian vet. Bad enough that you have to bring your beloved parrot to a complete stranger in the worst of times, but he or she might not know an egg-binding from a fur ball. Still, accidents can and do happen. It is a very wise idea to have a parrot first aid/evacuation kit always on hand to treat the minor problems, or to stave off the major ones while you are on your way to get help.
Know what each item in your kit is for and how to use them, know when your vet must be called. This is a list of contents you should have in your first aid kit, followed by things necessary for emergency evacuation:
From a broken blood feather to a broken leg, your first aid kit can help save your parrots life.
IN YOUR FIRST AID KIT:
- Styptic powder
- Cornstarch
- Baking soda
- Antiseptic wipes
- Eye/skin wash
- Gauze or telfa pads
- Gauze rolls
- Vet wrap
- Cotton swabs and balls
- Medical tape (not waterproof)
- Masking tape
- Betadyne or iodine solution
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Hand feeding formula (will keep fresh in freezer for about 6 months) and syringes
- Scissors
- Tweezers
-
Eyedropper
- Popsicle sticks for splinting
- Latex gloves
- Forceps or hemostat (locking)
- Pedialyte (electrolyte solution for children)
- Magnifying glass
- Penlight
- Heating pad or lamp
- Clean towel(s)
- Vet and Poison Control phone #s (I also keep these on my fridge)
- Bird’s medical records
FOR EMERGENCY EVACUATION:
Whether it be an approaching hurricane or a fire in your home, careful planning is the key to a swift, successful evacuation. Have these items and lists in an area where they can be easily found should your power be out.
- First aid kit
- A travel cage for each bird – (if you house small birds together, it would be okay to put two together in a travel cage as long as you watch them. A trying situation could cause even the best of buddies to fight.)
- Covers for each cage – (this allows them privacy and cuts down on their stress.)
- Pillow cases – (these will work if you need an emergency means of transport.)
- 7 day supply of non-perishable food and fresh water
- At least one set of extra dishes per travel cage
- Clean towels
- Any medications and means to administer them (don’t forget about your own!)
- Flashlight
- Battery powered radio and/or police scanner
- List of pet-friendly hotels
- Check to see if the refuge/shelter you will be using will accept your pets. Here’s a link to United Animal Nations.
- List of contacts: your vet, your personal physician, emergency contacts and family
It’s a good feeling to know that if the unthinkable happens, you’re ready!
Patty Jourgensen specializes in avian health, behavior and nutrition and has been working with and caring for rescue birds since 1987.
9 comments
Please instructions on how to use everything suggested in list for a first aid kit. Please please please
Is there this birdie first aid kit in amazon
Cool
Hello Gale Rhoades posted a great comment. She asked how to use the first aid items. Could a video be posted regarding this or even a blog
I am very glad to have found this information! However, Patty says we should know how to use the items in the first aid kit. Where might I find appropriate instructions? Some things (e.g., styptic powder) are easy but others (e.g., Forceps or hemostat) have me completely at a loss to even guess at the usage.
Thank you for this life saving information about the coronavirus and our pets. It there a way to print the article on the first aid kit? Beautiful bird Blessings, Lee
I’m glad to see this list, I have 2 parakeets and I have been putting a kit for emergencies together and have a few Items to get. This is worth alot if my bird gets hurt.
Hi Cheryl, I have a cockatiel with a foot injury that resulted in 3 toes forward and 1 back after being bitten by my my umbrella when he escaped while I was at work. He gets around just fine. I see no reason why your umbrella won’t fully recover unless something was missed by the vet. He was xrayed, right? Just be sure he keeps up his strength by eating and drinking. Try not to dote on him too much, though, he needs to be using that foot. Not to mention you could wind up with a bird that will only be fed by hand. Patty
I have a male umbrella cockatoo that was bitten on the toe the last week of March. He was seen by an Avian vet, who stitched up the toe (little one in back), he also gotten bitten on the 2 long toes. He still refuses to use his foot, he will stand on it, but not grip anything – toes are straight out. I have done physical therapy with him to move his toes, but he shows no interest. He is 29 years old and not very active before this, but not at all now. Have to put his food under his nose in order for him to eat and also his water. He is a big baby. Do you think he will ever regain the use of his toes? anything else I can do to help him?
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