Wednesday, March 10, 2010

First Aid for Your Bird

Tips in Caring Parakeets
Upon receipt of an injured Parakeet bird there are two different situations:
1) The animal is very weak, does not move, do not eat or drink;
2) The bird stands and, although it is weak, eats alone.
In the first case, consult a veterinarian immediately.
In the second alternative, hopefully will recover with a proper diet.
Close doors and windows where the bird is. Put it in a box without cover no more than four times its size, the floor covered with newspaper for easy cleaning. Place it in a quiet and warm, without direct sun. Cover the box with a cloth so as not to stress occur. Touching as little as possible, so avoid making unintentional fractures.

Data to Monitor
Look closely if you are missing feathers on the wings or tail, or are cut off, if you have cuts or bruises, see if you swallow liquids (not to put his head back, you can choke. To know the nutritional status of the animal, palpate the chest (breastbone) and whether the bones are easily detected could indicate malnutrition. If you can drink, give him water with small amounts of glucose (glucolĂ­n water or honey.

Identify which species belongs to is very important. If it originates in the region and has no signs of having been in captivity, we assume that their release would cause no problems. However, if a species native to another region or another country, you should not leave it free. Incorporate non-native species or individuals can often cause severe disruption to the regional nature.

For more details, we recommend consulting the bird guides or local members of Aves Argentinas / Plate Ornithological Association (AOP)

Quarantine

It is the period during which aims to restore the health of the bird and see if other pathologies. Their duration varies with the species and its origin. During quarantine avoid excessive contact with the bird, because it creates dependency and alter the rehabilitation process. At the end of this period the animal will be able to take their natural food and to fly in a coordinated way.

Review

A veterinary examination of the parasites detected in feces indicate whether the bird can be released (is healthy) or not (there are signs of disease. We must prevent the spread of parasitic diseases to other birds in the area. You should also consider the presence of any other infectious disease.

Additional Information:

Care of the Beak and Nails
If a bird fails in a manner acceptable to wear your nails with daily exercise will have to cut them so that the animal is constantly hooking legs with any object you come across in the cage. The overgrowth of the claws occurs mainly in smaller birds, which must be paid special attention to no harm.
As in the case of nails, the peak undergoes a progressive growth slows down wear and tear during normal activity of the bird. If the activity is not sufficient peak size increased disproportionately to the point that the animal may be disqualified for food. This problem occurs mainly in psittacine, using its beak as a tool. As precautionary measures and extra wear to the peak must be placed in accommodation or cuttlefish bone mineral block, and branches are not poisonous and the animal can gnaw and wear down the beak naturally.

There are certain types of birds, which often are found in the homes and because of their sociability and intelligence need to be entertained and feel in the company. The failure, by these animals, distraction, and forgetfulness and neglect, by the owner, may cause natural or stereotypic behaviors that are associated with severe damage. That is why toys are so important for these birds, especially parrots and they have to spend lots of time alone.

The toys have to meet very specific characteristics that do not become a hazard. They will be non-toxic, non-nasty, resistant to the action of a non-shedding peak and the animal pieces to swallow causing intestinal obstruction