Information provided by Kaytee Products, Inc.

Perhaps no feeling is worse than a feeling of helplessness in an emergency. Many people who love their birds as their children have experienced this awful feeling at some point, wondering what to do in an emergency situation. One of the first steps in avoiding these emotions is to become prepared for common mishaps and to learn when a situation is beyond your ability to respond adequately.

Surprisingly, birds are not very accident-prone. If given a proper diet, a clean, well-maintained environment and routine veterinary care, birds are extremely hardy animals, able to withstand stress, hardship and an occasional management oversight. In this less than perfect world, however, it is necessary to prepare for something short of the ideal. Certain accidents, illnesses and conditions routinely occur with birds and as a responsible guardian, it is critical to know how to handle them.

Recognition of disease or illness in birds is essential. Birds routinely mask their signs of illness until the terminal stages of the disease. In the wild, birds that are sick or wounded will instinctively shield the outside world from obvious clues. As a disease progresses and overwhelms the bird's instincts, it begins to appear sleepy and fluffed. Because a bird's feathers are an excellent source of insulation, sick birds fluff up to increase this insulation and thus warm themselves. If a bird appears fluffed, observe it closely. Look at its droppings. Are they of normal color and consistency? On a consistent diet, a bird's droppings will also appear consistent. Learn what is normal for your birds.

Activity level decreases when a bird is sick or hurt. Just as we don't feel like running around the house singing and playing when we are sick, neither do our birds. Energy is utilized for combating infection and healing. If a bird is very sick, it stops being active and animated, and becomes dull and listless. It may sit on the bottom of the cage or may remain in the same spot on its perch. Droppings may be scant indicating the bird is not eating, or may all be located in the same area, suggesting the bird is not moving around. Again, it is important to know what to expect from your bird. Some birds like an afternoon siesta, or may simply be exhausted after a particularly exciting day watching outdoor birds and playing with toys or a mate.

The environment you create for your bird is especially important in helping prevent accidents and disease. A large spacious cage with liberal space for stretching the wings, climbing and acrobatics will help prevent broken blood feathers. The cage chosen for a bird or birds should also have the appropriate bar spacing and type (horizontal or vertical). Care must be exercised in choosing cages that do not have areas that will snag, cut or cause a toe to be caught. Check the cage for loose bars or protruding areas that could cut or injure a bird.

Toys are great for the cage and a tremendous variety are available, but again, select an appropriately sized toy for your bird. The toy construction must be sturdy with no small, removable pieces that might be accidentally ingested and made of a material that is neither toxic nor harmful. In order to maintain a bird's interest in its toys, rotate different toys periodically rather than continually adding toys and eventually cluttering the open space of your bird's micro-environment. Evaluate the piece that attaches or hangs a toy in the cage, making sure it is not easily removed or opened. There is potential for ingestion or possible wounding if the attaching piece is fragile or has sharp edges.

Many bird hobbyists choose to allow their birds to have free flight or access to the home outside its cage. Free flying birds are the most commonly seen injured birds in veterinary practice. Flight, especially unsupervised, allows the bird to get into all sorts of dangerous, potentially life threatening situations. An example is the ceiling fan. Another is open water areas such as commodes or aquariums, which with slick sides may trap an unwary bird. Stovetops and heated pots or pans can result in severe burns when birds try to land by an owner who may be cooking. Still other examples include toxic plants, electrical wires and outlets, and leaded solder, curtain weights or paint chips. Of course, one of the greatest dangers to free flying birds is a window. Birds can easily cause severe beak and head trauma or even break their neck by flying into a window or wall.

Even if a bird's wings are clipped, free access around the home (again especially if unsupervised) may result in many unrealized dangers. Common household items often result in catastrophe with birds. Batteries, costume jewelry, glazed ceramics, fertilizer in plants, linoleum, and poisons (detergents, rodenticides, etc.) pose significant threats to your bird buddies. The list goes on, but prevention is the best defense against these disasters. Before allowing free flight (most veterinarians recommend clipping the wings) or free play, "bird-proof" the area of play. Get down on your hands and knees and check for sources of trouble. If necessary, also get a ladder and examine where trouble may lurk in higher areas. Finally, never allow a bird unsupervised play in the home.

Even the best intentions sometimes go awry, however, and this is when first aid becomes critical. The most important thing to do when your bird appears sick or is injured is to remain calm. Birds are often sensitive to our moods, and hysteria on your part in the face of an accident will often just further stress an already compromised bird. Further, only through clear thinking will you save your bird further pain or its life. A first aid kit is particularly useful if you have birds. Construct a special bird first aid kit and keep it in a convenient location. If you are traveling with your bird, make sure you take it along.

A first aid kit should include: scissors, bandage material, triple antibiotic ointment, iodine, hydrogen peroxide, styptic powder, pliers, and hemostats. Other equipment of benefit includes a gram scale, heating pad or thermal floor, battery powered cauterizer, and hand feeding formula. If your bird becomes injured or ill and you need assistance, contact your veterinarian.