Birds can suffer from a variety of illnesses and injuries just like any other animal. Having the proper bird care medicine on hand is crucial for any bird owner to be able to provide prompt treatment when their feathered friends get sick or hurt. Knowing when and how to properly administer medications is key to nursing your bird back to health.
What kinds of bird care medicines are there?
There are many different types of medications used in avian medicine. Some of the most common include:
- Antibiotics – Used to treat bacterial infections. Some common antibiotics used in birds include amoxicillin, enrofloxacin, and azithromycin.
- Antifungals – Used to treat fungal infections. Common antifungals include ketoconazole and itraconazole.
- Anti-inflammatories – Help reduce inflammation and pain. Medications like meloxicam and ibuprofen are often used.
- Antiparasitics – Used to kill parasitic organisms like nematodes or protozoa. Examples are ivermectin and praziquantel.
- Antivirals – Used to combat viral infections. Oseltamivir is an antiviral sometimes prescribed for birds.
- Vaccines – Help prevent infectious diseases. Vaccines are available for diseases like polyomavirus and avian pox.
- Supplements – Provide nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Common supplements for birds include calcium, vitamin D3, and omega fatty acids.
These medications come in many forms including tablets, capsules, liquids, injectables, and topical creams or ointments. Always follow your veterinarian’s dosing instructions carefully.
How to give your bird oral medication
Many bird medications are administered orally in the form of liquids, tablets, or capsules. Here are some tips for successfully medicating your bird by mouth:
- Use a dedicated oral syringe or dropper. Never use one that has been used for other purposes.
- Hold your bird gently yet firmly wrapped in a towel or cloth to restrict movement.
- Place the tip of the syringe or dropper inside the beak on the side of the mouth.
- Slowly dispense the medication, allowing your bird time to swallow.
- Give water afterwards to help flush the medicine down.
- Reward your bird with a treat for cooperating!
If giving a tablet or capsule, a “pilling” technique can be used:
- Wrap your bird burrito-style in a towel, leaving the head exposed.
- Using your middle finger and thumb, gently open the beak.
- Use your other hand to quickly place the pill or capsule as far back over the throat as possible.
- Close the beak and hold it shut while gently stroking the throat to encourage swallowing.
- Make sure your bird swallows before releasing – watch to ensure the medication is not regurgitated.
Applying eye medications
Birds often need antibiotic or anti-inflammatory eye drops or ointments to treat infections, injuries, or irritation. Follow these steps for safe application:
- Wrap your bird in a towel to keep them still and their wings contained.
- Tilt your bird’s head back and gently open the eye to be treated.
- For eye drops, open the beak very slightly and apply the prescribed amount of drops onto the eyeball.
- For ointment, apply a thin ribbon into the affected eye’s lower lid.
- Release your bird and allow them to blink normally to spread the medication across the eye.
- Use care not to touch the dropper or ointment tube to your bird’s eye to avoid contamination.
- Always wash hands thoroughly before and after giving eye medications.
How to give injectable medications
Some bird medications like certain antibiotics or anti-inflammatories need to be given by injection. This is best done by an experienced veterinarian, but if you need to give injectable medications at home, here are some guidelines:
- Choose the proper type and gauge of needle for the injection – your vet will advise based on the medication, bird size and injection site.
- Common injection sites include breast muscle and leg muscle.
- Hold your bird firmly yet gently. For breast injections, hold against your body or on a table.
- Disinfect the injection site with alcohol and let dry.
- Insert the needle quickly at the appropriate angle and depth.
- Aspirate gently by pulling back on the plunger slightly to check for blood – if seen, withdraw and try again in a different spot.
- Inject the medication slowly.
- Withdraw the needle swiftly and apply gentle pressure to the site.
- Reward your bird for their patience!
Intramuscular leg injections can be done with the bird restrained upright on a perch or towel. Breast injections are ideally done with the bird’s wings held against the body.
How to apply topical medications
Creams, ointments, and other topical products are often prescribed by avian vets to treat skin infections, wounds, blisters/abrasions on feet, and more. Follow these tips for safe and effective application:
- Identify and clean the affected area.
- If applying an ointment or cream, squeeze out the prescribed amount onto a cotton swab.
- Hold your bird to expose the area, or have an assistant help restrain.
- Gently dab or smooth on the medication using the cotton swab or a gloved finger.
- Spread the product evenly over the entire affected area.
- Allow the area to dry fully before returning your bird to its enclosure.
- Always wash hands after applying topical bird medications.
Take care not to allow your bird to ingest topical medications when preening. Use an Elizabethan collar if needed.
How to use antibiotic and antifungal powders
Antibiotic and antifungal powders are another topical product vets may recommend. They can be dusted onto the skin or feathers to treat minor wounds, ringworm, and other fungal or bacterial infections. Tips for proper use:
- Restrain your bird properly so the affected area is exposed.
- Pour a small amount of powder into the treatment area.
- Use a cotton swab, glove, or feather to distribute the powder evenly over the skin or feathers.
- Rub it gently into the area to ensure it makes contact with the skin.
- Allow the powder to remain on the feathers or skin for the prescribed contact time before letting your bird go.
- Repeat application as directed for the duration of treatment.
Be very careful to avoid getting powders near your bird’s eyes or nostrils where they could cause irritation.
How long do bird medications take to work?
How quickly a bird medication takes effect depends on several factors:
- The type of illness or condition being treated
- The dosage and potency of the medication
- The individual bird’s metabolism
- The severity of the symptoms
- The bird’s overall health status
In most cases, you can expect to start seeing some improvement within 24-48 hours of beginning medication. However, it often takes 3-5 days or longer for more obvious positive effects to be evident. Always complete the full course of therapy as prescribed by your vet, even if your bird seems better.
If your bird’s condition worsens or new symptoms develop, contact your avian veterinarian right away for advice.
What are signs of negative side effects?
While most bird medications are safe when used properly, adverse side effects are possible. Here are some signs of potential adverse reactions to watch for:
- Changes in droppings – diarrhea, unusual color, etc.
- Decreased appetite or refusal to eat/drink
- Depression, lethargy, weakness, stumbling
- labored breathing, wheezing, respiratory distress
- Vomiting
- Swelling, itching or reactions at the application site
- Feathers falling out in treated area
- Any other abnormal appearance or behavior
If you notice any of these, stop giving the medication and call your vet right away. In some cases antihistamines or supportive care may be used to counteract adverse reactions until the medication leaves your bird’s system.
Are there drugs birds should never receive?
Yes, some medications that are safe in mammals are toxic for birds. Drugs to avoid giving birds include:
- Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)
- Ibuprofen
- Aspirin
- Dextromethorphan
- Pseudoephedrine
- Antihistamines like diphenhydramine
- Doxapram
- Phenobarbital
Never give your bird any medication not specifically prescribed by your avian vet for the individual bird. Dosages and drugs that are safe in other species can be fatal to birds.
How should medications be stored?
Proper medication storage is important to preserve drug potency and keep your bird safe. General guidelines include:
- Store in a high, locked cabinet away from birds
- Keep refrigerated drugs in a dedicated bird medication fridge
- Follow all temperature guidelines – do not freeze liquids
- Keep drugs in their original containers
- Check expiration dates and discard expired medications
- Keep an inventory of drugs and quantities
- Store syringes, needles, droppers, pillers in a separate locked box
- Always wash hands before and after handling bird medications
Conclusion
Providing proper medications for sick or injured birds requires care and attention to detail. Always work closely with an avian vet to ensure you understand dosing, administration techniques, what to watch for, and how to safely store medications. With the right knowledge and preparation, you can successfully nurse your feathered friend back to health.