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The equipment in your first aid kit is meant to be used to stabilize a bird prior to transportation to your avian veterinarian. It is not meant to replace veterinary care. If at all possible, in the event of an emergency, first, contact your avian vet to inform the staff that you will be bringing in your bird, ask for specific information on how to handle your particular emergency, then follow your vet's instructions.
During a regular office visit, bring your first aid kit in to your avian vet, so that he or she may show you how to use the supplies, and ask your vet if there is anything else that your particular bird may require in the event of an emergency (injectable or oral calcium, etc.).
Petiatric provides some first aid essentials such as syringes, scales, nebulizers and thermometers. Everything you wish you had invested in BEFORE an emergency or sickness has occured. You can find them on the web at petiatric.com
Hemostat: can be used to pull a broken, bleeding blood feather. Please note: a bird with a bleeding disorder, liver disease or infection may not clot properly and may bleed to death from a follicle after a blood feather has been plucked. If at all possible, have an experienced avian veterinarian remove a bleeding feather. To remove a feather, grab the bleeding feather at the base and, holding the wing steady, use firm, smooth pulling to remove the feather from the follicle, pulling in the direction of the feather growth. After the feather has been removed, apply moderate pressure using a sterile gauze pad (also in your kit) for one minute, to the follicle.
If a clot forms, be careful not to dislodge it. If the bleeding does not stop, use the Clotisol applied sparingly with a cotton-tipped applicator, to the follicle, then apply pressure. This should stop the bleeding. If it does not stop within a few minutes, apply pressure with a sterile gauze pad and go immediately to your avian veterinarian.
Tweezers: may be used to remove feathers, splinters, or to remove a tick
Stockinette: looks like sock material, can be used by placing a bird into it to keep it from thrashing, and to keep the wings close to the body, the bird can breathe through the material, if necessary
Neck brace: gray foam in a circle, to be used to keep a bird from chewing feathers or mutilating flesh, cut to length to prevent a bird from bending neck down to bite skin or feathers, then tape, make sure bird can access food and water with neck brace in place
Splints: (tongue depressors and small. round sticks), can be used to help stabilize a fractured wing or leg by incorporating the splint into the tape for transportation to the vet clinic
Sterile lubricant: to be used as directed by your vet to cover an open wound (to keep it moist and prevent infection)
Ointments: povidone iodine and triple antibiotic, to be used only as directed by your vet, ointments are not usually recommended for birds, as oil may coat the feathers and decrease their insulating qualities, but may be used to cover a constricted toe that will be bandaged
Povidone iodine swab: to dab onto the umbilicus of a newly hatched baby bird, may be used to clean and treat a wound, as directed by your avian veterinarian
Sterile cotton-tipped applicators: may be used to swab a wound or lesion for culturing (swab should only touch the area to be cultured, then carefully replaced in the sterile packaging for immediate transportation to your avian vet), can be used to gently clean a wound of debris (moistening the cotton with sterile saline or with sterile water soluble lubricant)
Band-aids: for those bitten human fingers when trying to restrain a wiggly, injured or ill bird, can also be used to secure neck brace or cover a wound
Penlight: to illuminate injured area, check eyes, nares, oropharynx (mouth area), beak, and feathers
Pen: we suggest you write down a list of important phone numbers and tape them to the lid, or keep inside the box. Be sure to include your avian vet's phone number, emergency clinic phone number, animal poison control hotline number, contact number for a relative, and any other important numbers.
National Animal Poison Control Center Hotlines:
1-800-548-2423 - $30 per case
Or 1-900-680-0000 - $20 first 5 minutes, plus $2.95 per additional minute
Antiseptic towelettes: to disinfect hands
Alcohol swabs: to clean unbroken skin
Rubber gloves: to prevent contact with infected material or open wounds, can be filled with hot water and tied off to act as a hot water bottle hand to cradle a bird and keep it warm for transportation to the vet
Sterile surgical blade: to be used as directed by your avian vet, can cut fibers tied around toes, etc.
Sterile saline: can be used to flush wounds, to moisten a sterile dressing, to flush the nares (if a seed hull is lodged, for example), to flush the crop, to flush the eye, etc. Your veterinarian may advise you on specific uses for sterile saline.
Syringes (sterile): for administering medication, feeding an adult or baby, flushing a wound, etc.
Paper towelling: for catching a bird quickly, for cleaning up
Latex tubing: to be used as directed by your avian veterinarian, to insert into the crop to administer medication, fluids, hand-feeding formula, to flush out a crop that won't empty in a baby bird, to flush cool water into a crop immediately after a crop burn is discovered. If you are not familiar with these procedures, please discuss them with your avian vet BEFORE you have an emergency so that you may learn the proper techniques
Veterinary blood clotting gel (Clotisol™): this liquid, when applied to a minor wound, feather follicle, bleeding toenail or beak, will quickly and safely stop bleeding. It is safer and less caustic than clotting powders or sticks, and may be applied with enclosed cotton-tipped applicators. Avoid getting on mucus membranes (eye or lid, mouth or cloaca). Moisten the applicator and apply firm pressure to the bleeding for several seconds to stop bleeding. Reapply if necessary. Serious bleeding or deep wounds should be cared for by your avian veterinarian only. Until you can get to your vet, use a sterile dressing and apply direct pressure to the bleeding area.
If a beak or toenail is split, or broken far back, if clotting gel does not stop bleeding, apply ice to the nail or beak, and take the bird immediately to your avian veterinarian.
Scissors: can be used to cut tape, feathers, fibers wrapped around a toe, etc.
In emergencies, remain calm. Gently restrain your bird in a towel or paper towel to examine it. Use the penlight. Stop any serious bleeding with pressure and a sterile gauze, or use clotting gel. If there are obvious fractures (broken bones), wrap the bird in a stockinette to prevent the wings from flapping, or apply a splint to keep broken bones from causing more tissue damage. Keep an injured bird warm by transporting it on a heating pad, hot water bottle or make-shift water bottle that is a latex glove filled with hot water. Transport it in a carrier, box or plastic box covered with a towel, to minimize visual stimuli and make sure the bird is secured and cannot escape.
To safely transport your bird to the vet, remember these three things:
Birds that have ingested or inhaled a poison (plant, household chemical, etc.), those that have fallen into a sink, commode or swimming pool, those that have bitten a cord and have received a shock, birds that have been stepped on, closed in a door, hit a ceiling fan or window, those bitten by another house pet (cat, dog, ferret, etc.), those receiving a burn, those acting sick (fluffed up, weak, not vocalizing, coughing, sneezing, having a nasal discharge or diarrhea, those not eating well, sleeping more than usual, or having any swellings, limps, bumps or sores, should all be taken immediately to an avian veterinarian.
It is best to establish a relationship with an avian vet prior to having an emergency. Find out how many birds the vet sees a week, and if they attend avian continuing education courses. Also find out how many vets in the practice will see birds. Find out if they do their own emergencies, or if they refer them elsewhere. If they are referred, find out if there are avian vets on staff. If you are fortunate, you may be able to use a Board Certified Avian Specialist. Only vets that have taken and passed a very difficult exam offered by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners can call themselves avian specialists. Make an appointment for a "well-bird" exam for your pet bird, so that you can establish with an avian vet who will then know you and your bird. Allow your vet to perform recommended tests, as it is impossible to ascertain the health of a bird simply by looking at it.
Hopefully, you will never need to use the supplies contained in your first aid kit, but it is nice to know that you have it! And remember, if you do use the supplies, be sure to restock it.
Copyright © 2006 Margaret A. Wissman, D.V.M., D.A.B.V.P.
All Rights Reserved
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