Avian caretakers should always be ready in the event of emergency. When is a good time to learn about first aid for your avian companion? Well, if you’re asking yourself that question, it might be a good idea to stay tuned to this HARI series on Avian First Aid. The next few posts will cover essential first aid methods plus more holistic remedies. To get you started, we’re tapping into the HARI Approved First Aid Arsenal as presented for Parrot Life Seminars!
Avian Veterinarian
An avian veterinarian should always be consulted as soon as possible, should your bird present health concerns. The list compiled below includes recommended products you should have easily accessible, although their use requires fundamental education of their potential benefits and contra-indications and proper dosages. Should symptoms be alleviated with their use, we still strongly recommended that an avian veterinarian be consulted nonetheless as soon as possible.
Emergency contact info for a specialized avian veterinarian, a reliable animal veterinarian with whom you have built a trustworthy relationship that can contact a specialized avian veterinarian for advice, an experienced handler or aviculturist
A small cage or aquarium that can be adapted for use as an intensive care unit until a veterinarian can be consulted
Nylon dog bone for the inspection of the oral cavity of a parrot, a small paper clip can be used for the inspection of a small cockatiel, lovebird or budgie sized bird.
Bird or fish net for birds in flights suitable for the species size
Roll of white paper towels ( to use in bottom of cage to monitor droppings)
Coffee grinder (to grind formulated granules into formula for syringe feeding )
Sample size bag of fresh food in case of emergency evacuation or hospitalization
Oxyfresh Cleansing Gelé
Sample bag –“Ziplock” style: to conserve feces samples and feathers with abnormalities(stress bars, off colors, damaged feather due to feather damaging behavior)
Clamp and fixture for heating lamp
Silver nitrate sticks (for bleeding nail only never apply on skin)
Nail Safe Styptic powder (for use exclusively on nails)
Misting-spray water bottle
Bandaging material
Vet wrap roll
Cosmetic wedges Latex free (used for Human application and blending of make-up)
White bandage tape
Steri-strip Skin closure ( Nexcare)
Cotton tip applicators
Thin sanitary pads individually wrapped for bandages
Coffee stirrer plastic sticks for splints
Water Soluble Ointments
Calendula Gel
Oxyfresh Pet Gel
Aloe Vera 100 % pure gel
Other Ointments and Aids
Hydrocortisone cream (concentrated for young or breeding birds)
Hibitane® ointment
Vitamin E gel
Packets for sterile lubricant – or better yet a small vial of olive oil both for use topically on the cloaca for emergency treatment of egg retention
Calcium Gluconate or liquid calcium (without sugar) for oral administration in case of egg retention (used ideally in conjunction with lubricant on the cloaca and an increased humidity in the immediate environment).
Rehydrating solution such a Gastrolyte® oral rehydration salt or Pedialyte® Freezer Pops.
Liquid Aloe Vera gel ( drinkable Aloe see Parrot Life for therapeutic virtues)
Camilia® for pain relief (“Boiron” single dose homeopathic medicine for teething babies)