Bird Poisoning

Bird Poisoning

• Birds are poisoned by inhalation, ingestion, or absorption of toxic substances.
• Caged birds in the home are often poisoned by inhalation of contaminated air, such as fumes from
• cooking oil and burning fat in the kitchen, carbon
• Monoxide emissions from the family car, fresh house paint, and insecticidal and herbicidal sprays are used in the home and garden.
• Carnivorous birds may be poisoned by eating animals that have been poisoned in an eradication program.
• Insectivorous birds may be poisoned by eating insects that have been poisoned with an insecticidal agent.
• Grain-eating birds may be poisoned by eating grain contaminated deliberately or accidentally with poisonous substances.

Signs

• The common signs are:

1. Vomiting.
2. Diarrhea.
3. Lethargy.
4. Depression.
5. Convulsions.
6. Twitching.
7. Staggering.
8. Coma.

• Only one or a few of these. Signs may be evident because they vary according to the type of poison, the quantity ingested, and the length of time the bird has been poisoned.

Caution

• Contact your veterinarian and describe the signs if you are not sure what has poisoned your bird. In some cases, the veterinarian can give the bird a specific antidote.
• Some countries have poison information centers that can assist.
• Initiate treatment if are sure that the bird has been poisoned and you have identified the poison involved.

If the bird’s feathers and skin are contaminated with a poisonous substance

• Wash the bird with warm water and soap, and then rinse with plain warm water several times. Keep the bird warm

If the bird has ingested an unknown poison.

• The general treatment is to give water using an eyedropper or syringe.

If the bird has ingested acid

• Give sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) solution. Mix up Liz teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in a cup of water. Using an eye dropper or syringe, administer 6 to 20 drops depending on the size of the bird.

If the bird has ingested kerosene or phenol

• Give a few drops of olive oil by mouth.

If the bird is convulsing intermittently

• Wait until the convulsions stop then take the bird to your veterinarian.
• To prevent injury to itself, wrap the bird in a towel and place it in a container for transport to your veterinarian.

If the bird is convulsing continuously

• Try to stop the bird from injuring itself by wrapping it in a towel.
• Contact your veterinarian and take the bird to the surgery as quickly as possible, together withal a sample of the suspected poison if available.

I had compiled a bird poisoning table. To use the following table, you must be sure that the bird has been poisoned and know what poison is involved before giving treatment. If uncertain, contact a veterinarian or poison information center immediately.

See more: Bulbuls