Bird Shock

Bird Shock

• Shock usually results from some physical or emotional trauma, for example, being terrorized by a cat, and may be associated with blood loss, infection, poison, or dehydration.
• Shock may range from mild to severe, and can bring about total collapse, coma, and death.
• Handling a bird that is in a state of shock may aggravate the shock and cause death.
• Birds are more susceptible to shock than dogs and cats.

Signs

• The bird’s feathers are fluffed up and the bird is usually down on the floor of the cage or aviary.
• Rapid, shallow breathing.
• The head may be turned towards the wing with the eyes partly closed.
• The bird is weak and does not resist being caught.

Treatment

• Minimal handling.
• Control any bleeding.
• Place the bird in a warm (30″-32°C (86°-90°F)), quiet, secluded, humid, dimly lit environment.
• If the bird’s state of shock has not improved within approximately 3 hours, contact your veterinarian.
• When the bird’s condition improves, any minor injuries can be treated. Life-threatening injuries must be treated immediately after they are observed.

See more: Bird Starvation