Birds can be exposed to a wide variety of toxins and poisons, even within the safety of their cages. They can eat lead paint on their cage bars or in their toys, consume excess salt from ornamental cookie dough during the holidays or ingest human foods that can be toxic or dangerous.

Fumes from furniture polish, deodorant sprays and cleaners can also be a source of poisoning, and the fumes from overheated nonstick cookware or other utensils can be deadly to your bird from as much as a room away.

There are several common signs of toxicity, and your bird may display some or all of them, depending on the type of poison or toxin.

• Vomiting
  
• Diarrhea
  
• Lethargy
  
• Increased urination
  
• Blindness
  
• Tremors
  
• Excitability
  
• Depression
  
• Staggering or lack of coordination
  
• Falling from perch
  
• Convulsions
  
• Coma

Try to determine which poison was taken and how much your bird has inhaled, consumed or absorbed through its skin. Contact your veterinarian, emergency pet clinic, or your local poison control center immediately. You can also contact the National Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 4-ANI-HELP (426-4435). (Charges may apply.)

As for any medical emergency, the best cure for poisoning is prevention. Thoroughly pet-proof your home before your bird is exposed to or gets into a poisonous substance, and be particularly wary of toxic fumes such as overheated Teflon pans and heavy-metal hazards from cages and toys. Mop up all potentially poisonous spills immediately.