Overheating
Index of Bird Diseases ... Symptoms & Potential Causes ... Bird Species & Diseases They are Most Susceptible to ... Bird Health Care ... Glossary of Avian Medical Terms ... Medications Used in Avian & Exotic Medicine and Pharmaceutical Terms ... How to administer oral medications to a bird
Bird Health / Avian Medicine Library
Emergency Treatment for Overheated Birds
Most of our companion birds are acclimated to inside air-conditioning systems. High temperatures can therefore be deadly to birds. If you take your bird outside, be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight. If you travel with them in your car, NEVER leave them unattended. Overheating can also be brought from excessive supplemental heat (by a heat source that is set too high, such as a heating pad or a lamp). Some conditions, such as obesity, can cause a bird to pant and have difficulty cooling themselves off. Your vet will be able to evaluate your bird to ensure he or she is maintaining the proper weight for its age, size and species.
Symptoms: In these and other warm weather situations watch them for signs of over-heating; these signs include:
- open-mouthed breathing panting
- holding their wings away from their body, in an attempt to cool itself down
- behaving as if they are stressed
- Mist / spray feathers with cold water, until the bird is wet to the skin.
- Put feet and legs in cool water.
- Place in quiet, cooler area.
- Wrap loosely in towel to prevent chill.
- Watch bird for shock.
- Call your avian veterinarian to get his recommendation pertaining to further treatment.
How to protect your aviary birds in sizzling hot summers
NEED A VET?
USA: Find Your Local Avian Veterinarian
Information contained on this website is provided as general reference only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought.
High Quality Species Photos, Videos and/or Articles Contributions are welcome! Click here to upload articles and images.
Please Note: The images on this page are the sole property of the photographers (unless marked as Public Domain). Please contact the photographers directly with respect to any copyright or licensing questions. Thank you.
The Avianweb strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. If you would like to correct or update any of the information, please send us an e-mail. THANK YOU!
