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My recovering bird is stressed and bleeding. Should I stop its NSAID?

Updated on September 23, 2025

Pet's info: Bird | Unknown - Bird | Male | unneutered | 2.6 lbs

Hello, I am taking care of a Herring Gull. I thought it had to be euthanized due to a broken wing, but x-ray revealed no fractures. The vet prescribed a NSAID (meloxidyl). The bird is on the way to recovery , however, it gets stressed at sunrise in the cage. It hit it's beak before I could cover the cage fully, and there was bleeding from one nostril. Should I perhaps discontinue the NSAID, so the pain threshold is not lowered? The bird is making short flights and can be released soon. Thanks.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Published on July 31, 2017

The bird is not going to stop getting agitated by your decreasing the nsaid dose--pain doesn't work that way. I would continue the full dose of meloxicam until the bird seems pain-free, unless the nostril bleeding continues. If the bleeding continues, it could be related to the the nsaid as clotting function can be impaired with nsaids. Otherwise, continue as you've been doing and good luck on release!
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