I need help FAST - ringneck parrot flew into incense oil

[Ben1232]

Hi. I'm in need of help and fast. I am visiting my parents with my 7 month old ringneck parrot Wesley. He was on my shoulder and he got spooked by something and flew off my shoulder, tried to perch on a incesce bottle with sticks that emmit the smell and he has ended up covered in incense oil! I have tried to wash the oil off of him the best I could but he still smells very very strongly of the oil. I am stuck for things to do to remove the smell as I know that it can be fatal I'm rather worried about him. He is outside in his cage in the wind at the moment to try and get him some well ventilated fresh air but I really really need to get the smell out of his feathers because he can't stay there after the sun goes down, I am from tasmania and we have very cold nights I only have about 3 more hours maximum to get this smell out of him. I can't find anything online so I've found myself here. PLEASE NO HATE. I'm just trying to what's best. I already will never be able to forgive myself for letting him into this situation. Please guys if you have any ideas throw them at me!

 

[Kiwibird]

Poor baby That stuff is so toxic and nasty and the scents are designed to be insidious. I am unfamiliar with resources in Tasmania, but if there is one available, he needs to be taken to an avian specialized vet ASAP. If not avian specialized, then exotics or really any vet at all. Don't wait, start calling and see which professional can help!

IF (and only if) there is truly no vet available (DO NOT ATTEMPT IN ORDER TO SAVE MONEY OR A TRIP TO THE VET), I would try a couple DROPS of the least strongly scented Dawn brand dish soap you can find to carefully (very carefully to avoid getting in his eyes or mouth) try to wash his body from the neck down (where he can reach preening). Dawn dissolves oil and is the brand rescuers use on seabirds caught in oil spills. I repeat though, this would be an absolute last resort measure if vet care is absolutely not available to assist or give further direction. Then daily baths until the smell dissipates.

 

[Anansi]

Excellent advice above, as the smell, while a significant issue, is not the only potential health risk. Fact is, that oil is likely dangerously toxic to Wesley. So a trip to a certified avian vet, if at all possible, should be your first step.

And while the use of soap is generally discouraged with birds, this situation does constitute an exception to that rule. In this case I would specifically advise Dawn as mentioned above, since it has proven gentle, yet effective, enough for extensive use on birds covered in oil from oil spills and such.

 

[Kiwibird]

Please let us know how your baby does and if the vet (which you hopefully were able to get him in to see right away) was able to remove the nasty stuff from his feathers.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Hoping for a good update.
When the Rb was just a few years old, he flew into a pan-like container of Simoniz car wax and his belly got coated. Our vet told me by phone to use Dawn (thankfully, that was our soap of choice and it was handy) and then come straight to the office. He was fine.

And mannnnn, that was a life lesson. I was much more mindful of stuff he might fly into.

Good luck!

 

[Mango121913]

I too would bath him immediately with Dawn.

 

[Tami2]

Hey Ben,

How did you & Wesley make out?
Please let us know. :heart:

 

[itzjbean]

Yes I'm also curious, did you get him washed up? The dawn soap suggestion is excellent.

 

[Scott]

I hope Wesley is doing better and rid of the noxious oil. Thanks for the quick research via forum, but an avian vet is priceless in this situation!

 

[Ben1232]

Hey guys. Thanks for all of your ideas regarding my situation, however because it takes a member to 'confirm the post before it actually appears on this site I was unable to use any of Them in my time of need.
I rang 2 veteranarians who both told me there was nothing I could do apart from wash him again and again until the smell was gone, one of which was an avarian specialist.
I also read on Google that dawn soap us used to remove oil from sea birds so I set out to the supermarket and chemists to find some to wash him with but was unable to get any.
After I returned (about 45 mins from the first wash's) Wesley had lost a significant amount of the smell from his feathers, I believe that being because he was out on our deck with the fresh wind blowing directly through the front of his cage and out of the back.
So I got him back into the shower and rinsed him for another good 45 minutes or more (which he really loved, he loves his showers) and managed to remove more of the smell to the point where it was barely there any more. Wesley has since returned to his happy outgoing energetic self.
I can't begin to explain how much of a relief this was to me and how thankful I am for all of your comments regarding Wesleys wellbeing and the ideas that were given.
P.s I would never think twice about taking any of my animals to the vet no matter how big or small the situation may be, I would much rather part with money than any of my pets, and much rather be safe than sorry!
Edit: I'll also be very sure to parrot proof any house I take Wesley into no matter where I am just to be safe!

Thanks again guys!

 

[wrench13]

Another vote for washing birds that have come into contact with oily material. My little pocket parrot Max (rip) , got melted butter all over himself. Dawn , Dawn, Dawn. Mild soloution and keep it out of eyes and mout and nostrils. Then lots of rinsing. Repeat until no smell or oily stuff is present.

 

[Tami2]

Wonderful news, thank God he is okay! :heart:

 

[GaleriaGila]

Good news, indeed!
So, did you become a member an then try to to post, or...?
In Any event, YAY, TEAM WESLEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[OutlawedSpirit]

Wonderful to hear that things seem to have turned out for the best. Although we usually have it at home, this makes me think that I should add a small bottle of Dawn to my emergency/first aid kit. Just in case.

 

[Ben1232]

Yes I became a member first but it still had to be approved by another member first. Not sure why ��

 

[Ben1232]

And Yeah, I doubt I'll ever end up in this situation again because I'll be sure to remove any hazards in the future but I too will be getting myself a bottle of dawn soap to keep in the cupboard, I suppose you just never know what could happen in the future and I definitely want to be ready for it. Can anyone recommend any other things that would be a good idea to have on hand for any other types of accidents i may encounter? As I said I don't plan for any to happen but I want to be ready for anything after this scare. Thank you!

Edit; I have also been waiting for my local pet shop to get more bird harness' in stock for around about a month. They aren't a chain enterprise so i wanted to support them with my business rather than buy one online but now I feel As though I made the wrong decision by waiting. If I had him in a harness there would have been 0 chances of this happening but another reason I was waiting is because I wanted the right size, and to be able to return it same day for another size if I got the wrong size.

 

[Ben1232]

I have just opened my private messages on here and it seems that the automated system mistook my post for spam, hence why I was unable to have it shown on this site right away.. thanks again guys for everything I just cannot thank you all enough!

 

[Anansi]

...Can anyone recommend any other things that would be a good idea to have on hand for any other types of accidents i may encounter? As I said I don't plan for any to happen but I want to be ready for anything after this scare. Thank you!...

Sure thing. Good things to have on hand are:
1) gauze and pads
2) vet wrap (doesn't stick to the feathers)
3) corn starch or flour for stopping bleeding (some will advise styptic powder for the same purpose, but corn starch and flour do just as good a job and neither of those two burns your bird while doing it)
4) Pair of blunt-ended, sharp scissors
5) Needle nose pliers or forceps for emergency removal of blood feathers if necessary.
6) 1 hand towel and 1 full size towel (for handling and cushioning during transport, respectively)
7) Antiseptic wipes
8) Q-tips
9) Latex gloves
10) Syringes for medicating or delivering fluids
11) Nail clippers
12) Small flashlight with batteries
13) List of emergency phone numbers
14) Magnifying glass
15) Popsicle sticks (as makeshift splints if ABSOLUTELY necessary)
16) Hot water bottle (can be wrapped with the towel and kept by the bird to keep him/her warm.)
17) Clear storage bin to keep most of this stuff
18) Carrier or travel cage (Make sure to train your bird to go into the carrier/travel cage beforehand. Last thing you need with an injured bird is a pitched battle to get him/her squared away for the trip to the vet.)
19) Cover for the carrier (In case of cold weather between the car and the vet)

Also important are evacuation supplies. Dry, storable foods to be fed in case you can't make it to the store for fresh, and bottled water stored in darkness to prevent algae growth (to be changed out from time to time).

I have just opened my private messages on here and it seems that the automated system mistook my post for spam, hence why I was unable to have it shown on this site right away.. thanks again guys for everything I just cannot thank you all enough!

Yes, the automated system was a tad overzealous that day, so I had to approve this thread before it could be seen on the open forum. Sorry again for that delay.

 

[Kiwibird]

Thanks for the update and so glad your bird is ok after his mishap! Hopefully he will be back to smelling like a parrot should soon

 

[Ben1232]

Thanks heaps for that list of supplies. I'm going out this afternoon so I'll take that with me and grab all the things I need!
Re the automated system; that's okay don't be sorry! I understand these things happen, I had a little trouble trying to sign up with the graphic that I had to write into the little box in letters not showing on my mobile and it took me several attempts and refreshing of the page so that may have been the reason why.