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First Aid Kits for Companion Birds

© Anne Watkins

Note: I wrote this article before the devasting events of September 11. Now it seems even more important than ever to be prepared to care for our companion birds in times of emergency.

Do you have a first aid kit for your companion bird? It's probably not something many folks think about until it's too late. In an avian emergency, every second is critical. A small blood loss can be life-threatening for a bird, and any sort of trauma can lead to shock, or even worse, to death. But what in the world do you put in a first aid kit for birds? Here are a few suggestions. Feel free to customize the items to suit the type of bird(s) you have.

Avian First Aid Kit

• towels or gauze
• cautery agents
• cornstarch or flour
• needlenose pliers -- for removing broken blood feathers (Only attempt this if you know how! Otherwise, have the vet do it)
• tweezers
• scissors
• nail clippers
• an aquarium and a lamp -- these items make great hospital enclosures for sick birds
• eye dropper
• plastic syringes
• electrolyte replacement fluids, such as Gatorade or Pedialite, to encourage dehydrated birds to drink
• hand feeding formula, to tempt a bird that may have lost its appetite
• a large plastic storage box in which to keep the first aid items easily accessible
• your vet's office number, as well as an after-hours emergency contact number

Okay, you've assembled some things in a storage box and stashed it in a handy place. Now, what do you do with this stuff?

Soft, absorbent cloths, such as old, worn out towels, have many uses. You can gently restrain your injured bird in the towel while you assess its injuries. Use a towel or clean, soft wash cloth to apply pressure to a bleeding injury, such as a broken blood feather or a toe nail that is clipped too short. Line a box or aquarium with the towels to make a comfortable bed for your sick bird. And old, threadbare towels are great for quick cleanups -- no need to worry about ripping or staining.

Because of their small systems, it doesn't take long for a bird to bleed to death. Here's where the styptic powder, a styptic pencil, or a supply of cautery sticks are needed. You can get these items from your local drug store or from the veterinarian. Don't use these things on a skin injury, as they will burn the sensitive tissue. Containing the chemical silver nitrate, these products work by cauterizing, or burning, the injury closed. Cautery agents are safe and very useful for bleeding toenails.

The copyright of the article First Aid Kits for Companion Birds in Companion Birds is owned by Anne Watkins. Permission to republish First Aid Kits for Companion Birds in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.