Paint Fume Poisoning

[P3RS1AN]

Hi everyone. I just got home from work about an hour ago (we’re moving homes) and I walked into my room to see my mom had patched and painted over some holes in walls in the bird room. Not huge holes just from pushpins, screws and nails. I didn’t smell anything out of the ordinary when I first walked into the room. I checked my air purifier and it said 69% clean air. I immediately opened the window and moved my birds cage next to it. So he can get fresh air. Again, I smell no paint. As for my bird, he’s acting like he always does. Jumping around, eating and drinking water. Nothing seems out of the ordinary but I’m extremely worried. Could this be something that shows symptoms later on? Do you guys recommend me take him to an emergency vet anyways? I planned on staying up all night and checking on him periodically to make sure he’s okay. Please pitch in your two cents. I cannot lose him, he’s family.

 

[P3RS1AN]

Hi everyone. I just got home from work about an hour ago (we’re moving homes) and I walked into my room to see my mom had patched and painted over some holes in walls in the bird room. Not huge holes just from pushpins, screws and nails. I didn’t smell anything out of the ordinary when I first walked into the room. I checked my air purifier and it said 69% clean air. I immediately opened the window and moved my birds cage next to it. So he can get fresh air. Again, I smell no paint. As for my bird, he’s acting like he always does. Jumping around, eating and drinking water. Nothing seems out of the ordinary but I’m extremely worried. Could this be something that shows symptoms later on? Do you guys recommend me take him to an emergency vet anyways? I planned on staying up all night and checking on him periodically to make sure he’s okay. Please pitch in your two cents. I cannot lose him, he’s family.

I’m sorry guys. He is an almost 1 year old green cheek conure.

 

[OttoVonRuthless316]

When my budgie was exposed to bathtub refinishing paint in my apt, very strong I smell it for hours after getting home. My vet said "give him fresh air. Monitor for lethargy for next 48 hours because really nothing she could do for exposure to fumes."
Hope this helps.
I'd just monitor your bird, make sure it continues eating, drinking etc and make sure he's not having breathing difficulties. Contact a vet if if see anything concerning. You can call your local avian vet and get their opinion if you should bring him in, likely if You're not seeing concerning signs they'll tell you to do what you're doing and monitor it.

 

[P3RS1AN]

When my budgie was exposed to bathtub refinishing paint in my apt, very strong I smell it for hours after getting home. My vet said "give him fresh air. Monitor for lethargy for next 48 hours because really nothing she could do for exposure to fumes."
Hope this helps.
I'd just monitor your bird, make sure it continues eating, drinking etc and make sure he's not having breathing difficulties. Contact a vet if if see anything concerning.

Thank you for your prompt response. You helped take my heart off the edge a bit. I also did some more research into the paint that was used and it looks like it’s an acrylic based paint with very low VOC. Which helps ease my mind a bit more as well. Again thank you, I will be keeping an eye out on this finger muncher. I hope your budgie was okay

 

[OttoVonRuthless316]

Thank you for your prompt response. You helped take my heart off the edge a bit. I also did some more research into the paint that was used and it looks like it’s an acrylic based paint with very low VOC. Which helps ease my mind a bit more as well. Again thank you, I will be keeping an eye out on this finger muncher. I hope your budgie was okay

What a cutie!! I'm glad I could ease your mind. Just let your family know to move your bird or open windows when using anything that could have fumes or a strong odor.
I used acrylic paint many times around Otto, never had an odor and always he was around fresh air.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Most water based paints (including acrylics) are very low VOC and are the safest paints to use around birds. You can barely smell these paints. For the past 6 months we've been putting an addition on our house and it required painting the room adjacent to the birds room. Other than opening the windows a bit (winters in Maine are cold) I didn't do anything special to avoid paint fumes, and my 19 budgies showed no ill effect.
I certainly would avoid any oil based products and any spray paints.

 

[P3RS1AN]

Most water based paints (including acrylics) are very low VOC and are the safest paints to use around birds. You can barely smell these paints. For the past 6 months we've been putting an addition on our house and it required painting the room adjacent to the birds room. Other than opening the windows a bit (winters in Maine are cold) I didn't do anything special to avoid paint fumes, and my 19 budgies showed no ill effect.
I certainly would avoid any oil based products and

Thank you for your response! Yes fortunately my mom used a paint that is water based. Not completely VOC free, but I prefer this to an oil based. Thank you again!

 

[rheashard2]