Emergency Help

Fenrir · Jul 27, 2012

I just came home to find my sun conure laying on the floor. Apparently she got out of her cage while I was at work and the dogs must of been toying with her. I don't see any blood on the floor but they ripped out all of her tail feathers.

She was pretty out of it when I got to her but I put the dogs out side and she is is slowing coming around while resting on my chest.

I don't feel any breaks in her bones but any avian vet is 3+ hours away and they are all closed at this time of day.

Please help with advice.

antoinette · Jul 27, 2012

Fenrir said:
I just came home to find my sun conure laying on the floor. Apparently she got out of her cage while I was at work and the dogs must of been toying with her. I don't see any blood on the floor but they ripped out all of her tail feathers.

She was pretty out of it when I got to her but I put the dogs out side and she is is slowing coming around while resting on my chest.

I don't feel any breaks in her bones but any avian vet is 3+ hours away and they are all closed at this time of day.

Please help with advice.

Sorry to hear about your birds injuries.
There could be internal injuries, not visible to the human eye.
Your bird needs urgent attention a.s.a.p
I would seek advise from a vet on-line, until you are able to get the bird to a vet.

This information will assist you in the meantime

Reduce Stress: Whether or not it shows signs of physical injury, a bird that has suffered from an impact is bound to be traumatized. It will appear stunned and scared. The first approach of a human being for its treatment is to call a veterinarian or a local animal rehabilitation center. If help arrives on time, nothing like it. However, till then your priority should be make the bird's environment as stress free as possible. Keep children, pets and stray animals away from the bird.

Calm the Bird : Gently pick up the bird, with your hands over the wings, pressing the wings close to the bird's body. However, do not press the bird hard, just hold it firmly. You could put a towel around it and then handle it. To help it breathe comfortably, hold the bird up erect while picking it up and then place it in a cardboard box which is large enough for it to fit in comfortably. Make holes in the box for it to breathe, beforehand. Also line the insides with some soft material. Ensure that the box is well ventilated and place it in a dark corner. Keep the bird in this box for an hour or two. In the absence of any stimuli, the bird will calm down on its own. After this, take the bird out to an open space and remove the lid of the box. If the bird hasn't suffered any injury and has recovered from the trauma, it will fly off on its own.

Be Careful : One word of caution though. , Ensure that the place is free of any distractions. You could also cover it with a perforated box without moving it away from the place.

Do Not Feed the Bird : Be it water or bread, never feed an injured bird. Different types of birds have their specific food habits and no, their menu definitely does not read like ours. Trying to feed them may just increase their trauma. Never give bread to birds as that may cause diarrhea. Besides the injury, it is improper handling that adds to the stress of the bird.

Please keep us updated
Praying it is nothing serious

Spiritbird · Jul 27, 2012

Oh I am so sorry this has happened to your bird. I know you must be in a panic of sorts. Don't you have a 24 hr. emergency pet center that will look at her. Things can happen to her that you may not see externally. Is she breathing right? Is she able to stand on two legs? Any advice you get on this forum will be from our experiences and not professional. Please understand we can only help so much. Please make every attempt you can to take her for a medical check up. Suggest you not be on the forum reading be finding professional help for this bird.

Fenrir · Jul 27, 2012

Thanks for all of the help guys.

She was breathing very rapidly when I came home and picked her up. After a few minutes she began to calm down enough where she wanted to crawl to my shoulder. I went to the bath room and took her into the shower with me which his her favorite thing in the world.

She perked up quite a bit and even decided to shake about in the water while I held her. While in the water I checked all over and found no scratches or dog bites. As far as I can see the only injury I could see is where her tail feathers where ripped out and she is quite red around there.

She is now switching between my wife ans I's shoulder giving kisses. We will be taken her to the breeder tomorrow to get her beaked trim anyway and instead have her take a look at Sun drop.

Is there something I can use to clean where her wings were ripped out? I am worried about infections at this point until I can get her in tomorrow.

And no the 24 hour vet here does not do birds apparently.

Spiritbird · Jul 27, 2012

Cat or dog attack

Handle the bird quietly and calmly to avoid adding to its stress. Keep the bird quiet and warm (to help prevent or treat shock).
If the wound is bleeding, apply direct pressure with a gauze, but do not restrict breathing. Transport the bird to your veterinarian immediately.
Check for broken bones. If a wing is broken, wrap both wings loosely to the body with gauze and then tape to prevent further injury from flapping the wing. Do not tape tightly or the bird will not be able to breathe. If other bones (skull, leg) are broken, do not attempt to treat at home as further damage may occur.
Anytime a bird is attacked by an animal, it should be taken to the veterinarian as soon as possible for an examination and treatment of wounds. Mouths and teeth carry a lot of bacteria which can cause nasty infections if left untreated.
Small wounds or abrasionsIf bite wounds are small, superficial, and not bleeding, clean with diluted betadine. Use a tweezers to remove any dirt or feathers. Then apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment. It should heal within a couple of days. Do not allow the bird to pick at it. In case of deeper cuts or wounds, seek veterinary advise as further treatment may be necessary.

This was copied from the internet

As a precaution your bird may needd antibiotics as you do not know if the dog's teeth broke the skin where the tail is pulled out. If you are not seeding medical help tonight then observe the bird frequently for any changes. By the time birds show any symptoms it could be too late.

antoinette · Jul 27, 2012

Fenrir said:
Thanks for all of the help guys.

She was breathing very rapidly when I came home and picked her up. After a few minutes she began to calm down enough where she wanted to crawl to my shoulder. I went to the bath room and took her into the shower with me which his her favorite thing in the world.

She perked up quite a bit and even decided to shake about in the water while I held her. While in the water I checked all over and found no scratches or dog bites. As far as I can see the only injury I could see is where her tail feathers where ripped out and she is quite red around there.

She is now switching between my wife ans I's shoulder giving kisses. We will be taken her to the breeder tomorrow to get her beaked trim anyway and instead have her take a look at Sun drop.

Is there something I can use to clean where her wings were ripped out? I am worried about infections at this point until I can get her in tomorrow.

And no the 24 hour vet here does not do birds apparently.

Wash the wound use a heavily diluted iodine solution

MaraWentz · Jul 27, 2012

8037983837
This is an e,regency animal hospital that should be able to help you. They're 15 mins from downtown columbia. Call em n start ur way out the door. I wouldn't wait its in a birds genetics to hide pain to the best of their capabilities

Spiritbird · Jul 27, 2012

South Carolina Veterinary Emergency Care - Welcome 24 hr. emergency link in your area
Please make every effort to get this bird checked.

DebsFlock · Jul 27, 2012

Avian vet asap. She may need antibiotics and you'd want to start those as soon as possible. Hope she's OK! We keep our birds cages in a room where we can close the door when we are out of the house, sort of a belt and suspenders arrangement....

I looked at the website folks have posted, but it doesn't say they have anyone with avian expertise. Many emergency clinics won't or can't treat birds, but if you can find one you can get to, it would be worth it, I think. I would go to the vet rather than the breeder, the breeder may have knowledge, but won't be able to prescribe.

Remy · Jul 28, 2012

How is she doing?

Spiritbird · Jul 28, 2012

I took my bird to a 24 hr. emergency hospital here in Md. for a broken blood feather and the vet on duty took care if it very well. If the problem had been more complex she would have called in the exotic animal vet on call. We are well covered in Md. We should all keep a list of address and phone numbers for avian vets and 24 hr. emergency hospitals just in case. When and if there is an emergency you do not want to waste time looking for phone numbers.

Please give us an update.

dishgal1 · Jul 28, 2012

Please give us an update on this poor baby. Hope he is okay.

Lovelyloribeth · Jul 28, 2012

I'm curious how she is too.

I hope better!

Fenrir · Jul 28, 2012

Sorry for the long time between updates! Last night went well she slept under my neck most of the night before putting in her in her sleeping hut.

This morning I woke up to her usual wake up calls. She is eating and playing like she normally does. Her stool is the same and to the suggestion of a few of you I cleaned her small cut. Afterwards I washed it with an Iodine solution.

Earlier today I took her to a small animal hospital and found that she has no broken bones or internal injuries. They did not however give her any anti-biotic which concerns me a little but I will be taking her to a Vet Monday that specializes in birds. (It would be sooner but they don't open till Monday)

The vet told me however to stop with the Iodine wash now since she is preening that area and the solution could be bad for her. Does that sound right?

So to recap besides her looking a little off from her back side she is acting normally. No fluffing of feathers and she is eating like a pig.

Here is a pic of her chowing down right now.

Conuregirl · Jul 28, 2012

hi! i am glad your birdie is ok and you brought her to the vet!

aliray · Jul 28, 2012

I am glad that she seems to be okay. Alison and sweetie pie

DebsFlock · Jul 28, 2012

Whew! So glad she is doing OK!

I've contacted emergency vets in my area on a couple of occasions and most will not treat birds. One will IF the one vet that staffs it who has avian experience is there.

I agree that it is a good idea to check out local emergency clinics before you have an emergency, but you do want a vet that has at least some avian experience or you may be in a worse situation than no vet at all. We do have one practice that is staffed for avian emergencies that is a couple hours away -- and this is in Los Angeles County, hardly the backwater. YMMV.

dishgal1 · Jul 28, 2012

She is a very lucky little girl. I would definitely get a second opinion from avian vet. Infection would be the greatest concern.

antoinette · Jul 29, 2012

You are one lucky guardian, having your bird surviving what she did.

I reckon if the area is dry, refrain from using the solution.

On Monday, the vet will advise you accordingly.

Continue keeping a close eye on her.

You have not mentioned how the bird got out the cage, did you perhaps not close it?

When leaving your home, make the following a habit ALWAYS ............

When holding your keys, go an check the cage door.

Please keep us updated...

Spiritbird · Jul 29, 2012

I am obsessive about checking the cage door locks. Caught myself a few times not closing the food dish door. I am so relieved as we all are to hear she is doing well now. She is cute as a button.

Emergency Help

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conure won't come out of cage

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