If your bird is not acting right or appears injured and you are unsure of the severity of the condition, it is always best to contact us immediately. We are able to accommodate emergencies during regular business hours as well as after hours.

Since other emergency hospitals are not exclusive exotic pet practices and possibly do not treat these types of pets, the doctors and staff may or may not be capable of providing emergency care for your pet so please call ahead.

CONTACT A VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY IF YOUR BIRD HAS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SIGNS:

• Breathing and Circulation Problems
  • Increased respiratory rate and effort
  • Difficulty breathing (open mouth breathing, tail bobbing while breathing)
  • Wheezing or clicking sounds when breathing
  • A near drowning
  • Any breathing abnormality after an exposure to overheated Teflon, aerosol spray, or other irritant to the respiratory system
• Appears Injured
  • A broken bone or a cut that exposes a bone
  • Bleeding that cannot be stopped (e.g., from blood feather, nail, or beak)
  • An eye injury or the eye appears enlarged or protruding
  • An attack by an animal
  • Being hit by a moving object
  • Puncture wounds
  • Any trauma to the head
  • Flying into a window or other object
  • A severe laceration
  • Mishandling (e.g., squeezed by child, hit by edge of net, etc.)
• Exposed to Extreme Conditions
  • Biting on an electrical cord and receiving a shock or burn
  • Burns or inhaled smoke
  • Been exposed to hot temperatures (panting, holding wings out away from the body)
  • Been exposed to extreme cold
• Has Problems of the Gastrointestinal Tract
  • Straining continually, but unable to produce feces or urine
  • Choking
  • Swallowing a foreign body (e.g., toy, cage decoration)
  • Crop burn from feeding items that were too warm
  • Any condition that makes it difficult to eat or manipulate food (injury to the beak, or in the case of parrots, a foot)
  • A prolapse or eversion at the vent or bleeding from the vent
• Egg binding (straining and having difficulty producing an egg)
• An overdose of medication or suspected poisoning
• Other Signs of Distress
  • Extreme weakness, lethargy or depression, unconsciousness, collapse, or coma
  • Sitting fluffed up, huddles, or at the bottom of the cage
  • Seizures (flapping wings while lying in the bottom of the cage)
  • A head tilt, nystagmus (eyes move rapidly from side to side), staggering, walking in circles, difficulty sitting on a perch, or other problems moving
  • Severe or continuous pain (crying, bites, allows wings to “droop” at sides, sits at bottom of cage, reluctant to climb or play)
  • Sudden inability to bear weight on a leg or use a wing
  • Swollen or injured foot due to a leg band problem

CONTACT A VETERINARIAN WITHIN 12 HRS IF YOU BIRD HAS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SIGNS:

• Changes in Behavior or Movement
• Cloudy eyes, squinting, or appears to be unable to see
• Respiratory Problems
  • Sneezing
  • Discharge from nose or eyes
• Gastrointestinal Problems
  • An increased or decreased appetite or thirst
  • Sudden weight loss or gain
  • Discharge or crusts around the mouth, or change in color of the inside of the mouth
  • Vomiting, regurgitation, or swelling of the crop area
  • Changes in the number, color, or consistency of the droppings
  • An unusual smell to the droppings
• Skin Problems
  • Abnormal lumps, bumps, or red areas
  • Scabs or abrasions
  • Evidence of skin parasites
  • Abnormal color to skin or darkening of toes
  • Wet, stained, or matted feathers
  • Continual picking at feathers or body