Your pet cockatiel can suffer various injuries on a day-to-day basis and will need immediate and correct assistance. Make sure you always have emergency contact numbers on hand and also have a well-maintained first aid kit to help your bird on time when needed.
Below are the 7 most common injuries in cockatiels:
1. Broken wings or blood feathers
Broken wings or blood feathers can happen when you try to cut the feathers of your pet cockatiels or because the feathers get stuck in toys, etc.
First Aid: If the wing is broken, hold it close to the body and secure it with non-sticky tape or gauze. Make sure not to over-stick it, as it will cause breathing problems.
If a blood feather breaks, you will see a lot of blood loss. You can apply some styptic powder or flour to the area. Then hold it down with some gauze and apply pressure to stop the bleeding.
2. Abrasions and wounds
In the event that a bird comes into contact with a sharp surface, injuries can occur.
First Aid: The first step is to clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide and then remove dirt or sharp objects with tweezers. You should also remove any feathers that have stuck to the wound. An antibiotic cream will help the wound heal. Make sure your cockatiel doesn’t pinch the wound as it will get deeper.
3. Breathing problems
First Aid: If you see strained breathing in your cockatiel, check the nostrils for foreign objects. Gently remove the object with a pair of tweezers.
Breathing with the mouth open indicates exhaustion or overheating. Spread wings mean that the bird needs to cool down instantly. This can be done by placing the bird in a dish of cold water or by holding a wet towel around its body.
If you do not see a blockage or heating, then the breathing problem is the result of an underlying disease that should be examined by a veterinarian immediately.
4. Burns
First Aid: The affected area should be washed immediately with running water. You can then rub the area with gauze to dry it.
For minor burns, an ice pack will provide significant relief. If it is a major burn, take the bird to a vet.
You should also be careful to calm the bird, as a burn can cause a lot of trauma.
5. Chilling
If the bird is exposed to air conditioning or strong drafts, it can cause cold.
First Aid: The body can be warmed up with a warm towel or a heat lamp. The temperature should rise gradually. Overheating after chilling is quite common if the bird is in shock or has been injured.
Thoroughly check the bird’s environment for possible drafts. The best option is to relocate your bird’s cage if you notice any chilling problems.
6. Toxication
The bird can come into physical contact with toxins or inhale them. The most common sources of toxins are aerosols, paint, or even an air conditioning vent.
If the bird has ingested a toxin, it is a major cause for concern and you should call your veterinarian immediately. You can even call any poison control authority in your area for immediate assistance. In this case, you will need to provide them with all the details, including symptoms, the toxin the bird may have consumed, and the amount of toxin consumed.
7. Attack by a cat, dog, or other bird
The first thing to do is calm the bird. You can put it in a separate cage in a quiet room. Then examine the wounds.
Bleeding can be stopped with styptic powder, flour, and gauze. Treat a broken feather as mentioned above. The bird should be taken to a vet immediately, as the saliva of a cat or dog can be toxic to birds.
With timely assistance, most of these problems can be resolved. The more you observe your pet cockatiel, the faster you can provide proper first aid. You will also need to have a few things on hand to help your bird in time.
Here is a list of items to have in your cockatiel’s first aid kit
- An emergency contact number
- Number and directions to your vet’s clinic
- A pair of tweezers
- Gauze roll to wrap the bird Antibiotic cream
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Thermometer
- A heating pad or lamp
- A large towel to hold the bird
- Syringe or medicine dropper
- Gloves to keep your hands safe if the bird has not yet been hand tamed
- Scissors
- Q-tip for ointment application
- Sterilized gauze to control bleeding
- Styptic pencil or flour
With these items in place, you won’t have to fight or waste time when your cockatiel has an emergency. If you are leaving your bird in the care of someone else, be sure to give them all the necessary instructions to care for your bird in an emergency.