Toxicities
Bird Health Care
First Aid Instructions following Toxic Exposure
Toxicities in Your Home ... Non-toxic Household Products
In a life-and-death situation when every minute counts
for an animal, you can call the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center for 24-hour emergency
information at 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435). Website: National Animal Poisoning Control Center.
I called them once when my pet bird got into some anti-bacterial soap and talked to a wonderful vet (Dr. Hayes). She walked me through the procedures. There was a fee of $55, which was well worth the service I got.
The major source of poisoning of pet birds is lead found in curtain (drapery) weights, curtain pulls, leaded and stained glass, fishing sinkers and ammunition carelessly discarded in ashtrays or dropped on the floor, costume jewelry, and in the lead wrapping around the tops of wine bottles, to name the most common sources. For details, please see below.
Toxic: Unsafe Foods ... Unsafe Plants ... Metal Toxicities ... Trees / Wood Not Safe for Perches ... Toxic Household Products ... Toxic Carpeting ... Teflon Poisoning ... Lead in your Drinking Water ... Dangerous Air Filtration Systems (Ozone Generators) ... Ozonators - Helpful or Harmful?
Safe / Healthy: Safe Plants ... Trees with Safe Wood for Perches & Toys ... Safe Disinfectants ... Natural Pest Control ... Air Filtration Systems
Safe Disinfectants / Natural Pest Control
- Safe Alternatives for Toxic Household Cleaners ... Disinfecting ... Do-It-Yourself Bacterial Testing - Microbiology for the Aviculturist ...Environmentally safe, non-toxic products for you and your home
- Non-toxic Pesticides / Insecticides & Weed Control
First Aid for Poison / Toxin Exposure:
- Inhalation: If the toxin is inhaled, such as fumes from a Teflon pan, remove the bird to a well-ventilated area. Steam may help reduce upper airway irritation and to help breathing. To this end, place the bird into a bathroom with shower (hot water) running.
- Eye Exposures: Flush with water or artificial tears.
- External Contact with Poison: If the bird had external contact with a poison, such as insect sprays, bathe the bird immediately to remove toxin.
Ingestion of Toxin (i.e., plant, household cleaner): If by acid, alkalis, or petroleum product: make it swallow milk, mixed with Pepto Bismol, eggwhite, or olive oil. DO NOT MAKE BIRD VOMIT! If other toxins are involved, induce vomiting. Use mustard and water solution put at the back of the throat. Any time poisoning is thought to be a possibility, the veterinarian or Poison Control Center will need to know the name of the toxin, the active ingredients, the weight of the bird, how much was consumed, when the exposure occurred, and any symptoms the bird currently is showing. - Post First Aid Care: Place bird in a hospital cage, keep warm and contact your avian veterinarian or Animal Poison Control Center immediately for further advice.
Heavy Metal Toxicity:
- Sources of Zinc: padlocks, galvanized cage wire and dishes, clips or staples, bird toy snaps, zippers, keys, nails, plumbing nuts, quick links, nuts on animal transport cages, hardware cloth, chrome, and some antirust paints, shampoos and skin preparations.
- Sources of Lead: tap water, solder, batteries, galvanized wire, hardware cloth, bells with lead clappers, linoleum, paints (lead-based, and those with leaded drying agents), stained glass, curtain weights, fishing and diving accessories, certain ceramic pieces, foil covering on champagne or wine bottles, leaded gasoline fumes, lead frames of stained glass windows and tiffany lamps.
- Symptoms: feather picking, depression, gastrointestinal stasis, intermittent lethargy, seizures, dysphagia, ataxia, increased thirst and urination, seizures, loss of balance, dehydration, weightloss, green or bloody diarrhea and death.
Treatment Options: 1. Chelating agents. 2. Cathartics to aid in the passage of small particles. 3. A magnetized instrument to remove metals from the digestive tract. 4. Surgery or endoscopic removal to remove zinc particles that are visible radiographically.Related Websites on Zinc Intoxication: Zinc Toxicity ... Metals ... The A - Zinc of Zinc Poisoning in Birds ... Zinc and Parrots ... Zinc Toxicity in a Hyacinth Macaw
Related Websites on Lead Intoxication: Lead Intoxication ... Zinc Toxicity ... Metals
Did you know that your drinking water can make YOU and YOUR PET sick? Below are some quotes from the 'Home & Safe Lead Testing and Training" organization."According to the EPA, chances of having lead in your drinking water are likely to be high if:
- Your home has faucets or fittings made of brass which contains some lead, or
- your home or water system has lead pipes, or
- your home has copper pipes with lead solder, AND the home is less than 5 years old, or you have naturally soft water, or water often sits in the pipes for several hours.
- Flush your pipes. Don't use water that has been sitting in your pipes over six hours.
- Use only water thoroughly flushed from the cold water tap.
- Flush until the water becomes as cold as it will get (this can take up to 2 minutes or longer).
- Once you've flushed a tap, fill a container and put it in the refrigerator for later use.
- Use only cold water for drinking, and especially for making baby formula.
- Never cook with or consume water from the hot-water tap. (Hot water dissolves lead more easily and is therefore more likely to contain higher levels of lead.)
- Have your water tested by a competent laboratory approved by your state or the EPA. (Your local or state department of environment or health should be able to tell you which labs are qualified.)
Below is a listing of various bird-safe plants that will rid your home or office of not only carbon dioxide but also 1 or more of 3 other toxins.
African Daisy ... Bamboo Plant ... Corn Plant ... Dracena Janet Craig ... Dracena Warnecki ... Snake Plant ... Spider Plant - Remove beneze found in inks, oils, plastics, rubber, dyes, detergents and pharmaceuticals
Aloe Vera ... Bamboo Plant ... Date Palm ... Snake Plant - Remove formaldehyde found in particle board, plywood, foam insulation, grocery bags, room deodorizers, waxed paper, facial tissues, paper towels and some fabrics
Dracena Warnecki ... Pothos - Remove Trichloroethylene (TCE): found in dry cleaning chemicals, printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes and adhesives
NEED A VET?
USA: Find Your Local Avian Veterinarian
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with web visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the webmaster.
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