AVIAN EMERGENCY HOME KITS

[Calvins Mom]

The following items are those which are important to have on hand in the event of an unfortunate emergency which (1) does not necessarily require immediate veterinary assistance or (2) may assist while on route to the vet. Please note that these items are not listed in lieu of seeking medical care; if your bird needs immediate veterinary care, PLEASE seek same without hesitation.

Kwik Stop: this is great for toenails or broken blood feathers; however, KWIK STOP OR ANY OTHER AVIAN STIPTIC PRODUCT SHOULD NOT BE APPLIED TO SKIN
Corn starch: corn starch helps 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.
Neopsporin Creme: 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 amound of Neosporin applied for about five days is helpful.
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.
Silvadine:This is used to force wounds to heal and to seal burns
Latex gloves: to keep your germs off of a sick bird and vice versa
Aviaeye/skin wash: to rinse out wound or eye. You ca also use Saline Solution such as that used for contacts.
avian antiseptic swabs: to seal and clean wound
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: to protect YOUR arms
gram scale: to chart the progress of a birds weight.
Ceramic heat lamp: to keep a sick bird warm
Emergency vet information: Keep all vets within one hour and at least 2 avian vets.
Bird's Medical records: Take them 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
Parafin wax: to pack a blood feather
Aloe leaves: for wounds
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
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)
Non-sented candle wax: great for use on a broken beak to stop bleeding.

[crcamp]

A pair of needle-nosed pliers or hemostat (for pulling damaged feathers)
Towel (so you don't have to go searching for it)
Toenail clippers

[birdyland]

Neosporin should be CREAM never OINTMENT. The difference is water based, vs. petro based.

I prefer Flour to Quick Stop. Works the same, with no chemical burning.

Careful with heat lamps, they contain teflon in the bulb coating.

Pedialyte pops work well, you can use one stick at a time without spoiling the whole batch.

[Calvins Mom]

Neosporin should be CREAM never OINTMENT. The difference is water based, vs. petro based.

I prefer Flour to Quick Stop. Works the same, with no chemical burning.

Careful with heat lamps, they contain teflon in the bulb coating.

Pedialyte pops work well, you can use one stick at a time without spoiling the whole batch.

Dana - I do have cornstarch under Quik Stop. The only problem with using a food-based product is that it will grow bacteria.

I added "creme" after Neosporin - thanks!

I will add the part about teflon on the heat lamps or, better yet, add ceramic. Thanks!

Edited to say: It already does say ceramic heat lamps - there is no teflon in them.

[MaryG1959]

My medical kit is in a plastic tackle box. Works great and is always in the bird room closet.

[Calvins Mom]

A pair of needle-nosed pliers or hemostat (for pulling damaged feathers)
Towel (so you don't have to go searching for it)
Toenail clippers

thanks. I actually had hemostats on there, but removed them since I don't feel that they are part of a kit for an inexperienced person. One can do more damage than good if they are not experienced with pulling a feather.

Just out of curiosity - what would the toenail clippers be used for?

[Joseph B&G]

The following items are those which are important to have on hand in the event of an unfortunate emergency which (1) does not necessarily require immediate veterinary assistance or (2) may assist while on route to the vet. Please note that these items are not listed in lieu of seeking medical care; if your bird needs immediate veterinary care, PLEASE seek same without hesitation.

Kwik Stop: this is great for toenails or broken blood feathers; however, KWIK STOP OR ANY OTHER AVIAN STIPTIC PRODUCT SHOULD NOT BE APPLIED TO SKIN
Corn starch: corn starch helps 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.
Neopsporin Creme: 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 amound of Neosporin applied for about five days is helpful.
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.
Silvadine:This is used to force wounds to heal and to seal burns
Latex gloves: to keep your germs off of a sick bird and vice versa
Aviaeye/skin wash: to rinse out wound or eye. You ca also use Saline Solution such as that used for contacts.
avian antiseptic swabs: to seal and clean wound
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: to protect YOUR arms
gram scale: to chart the progress of a birds weight.
Ceramic heat lamp: to keep a sick bird warm
Emergency vet information: Keep all vets within one hour and at least 2 avian vets.
Bird's Medical records: Take them 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
Parafin wax: to pack a blood feather
Aloe leaves: for wounds
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
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)
Non-sented candle wax: great for use on a broken beak to stop bleeding.

Thanks Kath, I hope that will not be needed for awhile. If so, expect a call!!! Joe

[birdiesandbullies]

Great ideas@@ Our bird club, see the Jans', made up kits that we sold. We used the shakey heat things in their in case heating pads are not available. They are great in an emergency.

Can you actually buy Silvadine without a prescription> I have had it as a teen for a bad burn but thought it was prescription only.

The parafin/unscented wax is a great idea but obviously make sure it isnt too hot when used!!

I am going to have to go thru my kit to see what can be added to it.

Bern!

[Calvins Mom]

Bern, if there is anything additional you come up with to add to the list we have here, please let me know, okay? Thanks!