If you are a bird owner, at one point or another you are going to be faced with an emergency concerning your parrot. Are you prepared? Do you have important documents, vital accessories, and supplies on hand to handle a wide variety of situations? If you answered no to that question, then you will want to consider putting together your own emergency kit. The following is a list of recommended to place in a kit. Store your kit in a cool dry area near your bird, so you have easy access to it in case of an emergency. Remember, the items listed are not to be used in lieu of a certified avian vet.
Kwik Stop: this is great for toenails or broken blood feathers; however, kwick stop or any other commercially available clotting agent should not be applied to wings or skin as it can damage feather follicles and cause pain.
Corn starch/ flour : to help stop bleeding and can be applied to the skin; however, remember that it is a food product and will grow bacteria. Once you are certain the bleeding has stopped and the blood has clotted, it should be rinsed thoroughly.
Neosporin: this is a great way ward off infection with a small wound. If the wound is not one that requires vet care, a very small amount of Neosporin applied for about five days is helpful. Cream over ointment, as the ointment will stain feathers.
Vet wrap: you must be careful using this product so as not to wrap the wound (for instance, a toe or foot) too tight. This can cause more damage than good, but is great if the bird is picking at the wound.
Latex gloves: to keep your germs off of a sick bird and vice versa
Bottle of water or saline: to rinse out wound or eye
Avian antiseptic towelettes: to clean a wound
Cotton swabs: to clean out areas around the vent, mouth and eyes
Betadyne: To clean a wound. Especially good if added to warm water to soak a sore foot or toe injury. Also good for cleaning human wounds.
Ace bandages: can be used to immobilize a body part in event of injury
Ceramic heat lamp: to keep a sick bird warm. Will need a warming bulb and appropriate light attachment- purchase a fixture that has a ceramic bulb, otherwise if a warming bulb is placed in a normal light fixture it can overheat the socket and cause the fixture to short circuit.
Emergency vet information: Keep all vets within one hour and at least 2 avian vets referenced.
Bird's Medical records: keep a copy in a binder to take with you to the vet
Heating pad: to heat an ICU as a bird convalesces
Mini flash light: to look down throats and in the vents
Tweezers: to remove splinters
Wire cutters: to remove O rings and chains
Instant Ounces: to add calories to sick and recovering birds diets
Bar of Ivory Soap: for nail and beak breaks to stop bleeding
Liquid Bandaid - not for use on skin, but on wound that have clotted to help them remain sealed, such as a beak
Carrier for emergency vet visits. It is recommended all emergency items are stored in a carrier so you have all items in one place.
Credit card or cash in the event of the necessity of an emergency visit
Pedialyte : for dehydration (Please note that if you feel you bird is dehydrated, you really need to seek medical care)
Clean towel: for your bird, in case you have to hold the bird in a restraining fashion
A syringe for hand feeding in an emergency.
Handfeeding formula, in case of needing to hand feed in an emergency.
Most of these items can be easily obtained at your local store. There are some avian specific products available online that can help fill out your emergency kit. Remember to use nonperishable products, and to check your kit often to make sure it is complete and up to date. Medical kits are also available online for purchase, and can range from very basic to everything you need, and more. We recommend that if you don't already have a kit on handle, assemble on immediately. You never know when an emergency will occur.
Emily is very active in the avian community participating in numerous websites and online communities for parrot owners. Emily is also a moderator at http://www.BirdBoard.com She is head writer for http://www.BirdToys.com and online shopping portal for fun and unque bird toys, bird food, cages, and supplies.
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