Emergency Procedures: Recovering from Disaster
Agnes E. Rupley, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Avian
College Station, TX

Critically ill birds are common and must be handled appropriately to achieve the best outcome. It is important to quickly recognize the signs of critically ill birds which include dyspnea (difficulty breathing), severe depression, cyanosis (bluish skin and mouth color), sitting on the bottom of the cage, emaciation, seizures, bloody droppings, bite wounds, hemorrhage, and head trauma.
These birds must be handled as little as possible and given immediate supportive care. After initial support, the veterinarian can then obtain a complete history with information about exposure to infectious disease and toxins, management practices, reproductive state, and previous illnesses. It is important to evaluate the amount and character of the feces, urates and urine components of the droppings. Lack of feces may be noted if the bird is not eating. It is also important to observe the bird in the cage, noting the attitude, respiratory rate and effort, and stance.
It is important to minimize stress and handling of ill birds. Ill birds should be placed in a warm environment (85-90 F) unless the bird has had head trauma or is overheated; those birds should be placed in a cool environment (75 F). Critically ill birds may require that some portions of the physical exam be delayed until the bird is stabilized. One can make a quick assessment of breast mass, eyes, cere, nares, mouth, feathers, ears, crop, abdomen, vent, and hydration status. Birds that have difficulty breathing should be placed in oxygen. If there is upper airway obstruction an air sac tube should be placed. The veterinarian may want to supplement an anorexic, ill bird with nutrition via tube feeding. The bird should be first evaluated to determine if there is crop stasis, crop injury, or regurgitation. Dehydrated birds should receive fluid therapy. If anemia is present (PCV < 20%), blood should be administered and any hemorrhage controlled. If the abdomen is distended with fluid, abdominocentesis may need to be performed. Seizures may be due to low calcium, low blood sugar, or infections. These should be treated accordingly. Administer CPR to birds that arrest. Birds that arrest due to a chronic illness rarely respond favorably to CPR, whereas those in acute stages respond better.