Bird Emergencies
When to get to the vet NOW
There are several situations where you cannot wait to take your bird to the vet. It is important to understand and watch for these symptoms in case they happen to your bird. One thing to understand about our pet birds is that they will mask symptoms of any diseases they have as long as they can. This is because in the wild, birds who show signs of illness are the first to be predated. So they pretend to be normal and healthy to ward off potential predators. Unfortunately, our pet birds still retain this instinctual behavior so we often overlook early warning signs of disease. By the time we recognize our birds are sick, they usually need immediate veterinary care in order to get better. Below is a list of symptoms that warrant immediate attention if you notice them in your bird. If your regular avian veterinarian isn't open, then taking your bird to the emergency hospital is usually necessary.
Fluffed and Listless
Most sick birds will remain looking normal until they simply do not have the strength to pretend to be normal. Then they will often become fluffed up, sit at the bottom of the cage, stop vocalizing, close their eyes, and stop eating. If your bird is exhibiting these signs, then you need to take him or her to the veterinarian as soon as possible. This is a very generic symptom that could indicate a wide variety of illnesses, but when it gets to this point usually the bird is very ill and hospitalization is usually necessary with a large amount of supportive care.
Respiratory Distress
If your bird is having trouble breathing, do not wait to go to the vet. Possible causes include inhaled seed hulls and other tracheal foreign bodies, infection in the lungs or air sacs, anemia, heart disease, and more. Oxygen therapy, fluids, injectable antibiotics, and other respiratory medications may be necessary depending on the cause.
Active Bleeding
This can be from a broken blood feather or trauma, but continued bleeding is an extreme risk for your bird, especially if you own a small bird. A small amount of blood loss can be life threatening for budgies, cockatiels, and smaller parrots. If you have a broken blood feather and can identify which feather is bleeding, the best thing to do is gently and steadily pull back on the bleeding feather until you pull the entire feather shaft out. Then apply pressure directly to the wing until the bleeding stops. This is the only way to stop a bleeding blood feather. If you are uncomfortable doing this on your own or are unsure exactly what to do, apply direct pressure to the bleeding feather and get your bird to the vet ASAP.
Interactions with Cats
Cats' mouths are deadly to birds. The bacteria that live in even the healthiest cat mouth can cause death in birds within 24 hours if antibiotics are not started quickly. If your bird has been scratched, bitten, or even just mouthed by your cat he or she needs to be seen ASAP and started on antibiotics. These bacteria can cause problems even if wounds are not obvious. We do not recommend allowing your bird and cat to play together, even if your cat does not seem interested in harming your bird. Just because of the nature of the cat's mouth, he or she may harm your bird without even meaning to!
Seizures
If your bird is actively seizing, this is usually an indicator of a very serious problem. Possible reasons include lead or zinc toxicity, metabolic problems, other toxins, infection, and trauma. Your bird should be seen ASAP, especially if the seizing continues or is prolonged.
Fluffed and Listless
Most sick birds will remain looking normal until they simply do not have the strength to pretend to be normal. Then they will often become fluffed up, sit at the bottom of the cage, stop vocalizing, close their eyes, and stop eating. If your bird is exhibiting these signs, then you need to take him or her to the veterinarian as soon as possible. This is a very generic symptom that could indicate a wide variety of illnesses, but when it gets to this point usually the bird is very ill and hospitalization is usually necessary with a large amount of supportive care.
Respiratory Distress
If your bird is having trouble breathing, do not wait to go to the vet. Possible causes include inhaled seed hulls and other tracheal foreign bodies, infection in the lungs or air sacs, anemia, heart disease, and more. Oxygen therapy, fluids, injectable antibiotics, and other respiratory medications may be necessary depending on the cause.
Active Bleeding
This can be from a broken blood feather or trauma, but continued bleeding is an extreme risk for your bird, especially if you own a small bird. A small amount of blood loss can be life threatening for budgies, cockatiels, and smaller parrots. If you have a broken blood feather and can identify which feather is bleeding, the best thing to do is gently and steadily pull back on the bleeding feather until you pull the entire feather shaft out. Then apply pressure directly to the wing until the bleeding stops. This is the only way to stop a bleeding blood feather. If you are uncomfortable doing this on your own or are unsure exactly what to do, apply direct pressure to the bleeding feather and get your bird to the vet ASAP.
Interactions with Cats
Cats' mouths are deadly to birds. The bacteria that live in even the healthiest cat mouth can cause death in birds within 24 hours if antibiotics are not started quickly. If your bird has been scratched, bitten, or even just mouthed by your cat he or she needs to be seen ASAP and started on antibiotics. These bacteria can cause problems even if wounds are not obvious. We do not recommend allowing your bird and cat to play together, even if your cat does not seem interested in harming your bird. Just because of the nature of the cat's mouth, he or she may harm your bird without even meaning to!
Seizures
If your bird is actively seizing, this is usually an indicator of a very serious problem. Possible reasons include lead or zinc toxicity, metabolic problems, other toxins, infection, and trauma. Your bird should be seen ASAP, especially if the seizing continues or is prolonged.