How to Prepare an Emergency First Aid Kit
Always be prepared. That's a great motto for every pet and bird owner. It's a good idea for everyone to always have a basic bird first aid kit on hand as well as a small carrier or cage for emergency situations.
Whether you purchase a bird first aid kit that has already been assembled, or make one yourself, here are some items every first aid kit should include:
- Blunt ended Scissors These can also come in handy if your bird becomes entangled in a toy or other material.
- Styptic Powder, or other blood clotting agent such as flour or cornstarch
- Can be quickly used on bleeding nails or beaks in an emergency.
- Avoid using styptic powder directly on skin wounds as styptic powders can burn skin
- A Carrier or small Cage
- A small cage or carrier can also be used as a hospital area for an injured bird.
- Strong Tweezers, Locking Forceps, Hemostat
- These can be used to remove a broken blood feather if necessary
Other items to include:
- Hand Sanitizer
- Towel to wrap injured bird in if bird is in panic mode
- Latex Gloves
- Gauze Bandages and pads
- Cotton swabs and Q-tips
- A list of emergency phone numbers including your Avian Veterinarian or closest emergency clinic and the Poison control phone number
- Flashlight and batteries
- Syringes for medicating or giving fluids or handfeeding if necessary
- Nail clippers
- Antibiotic ointment or spray
- Heating pad Warm (not hot) heat can often mean the difference between life and death to a seriously injured bird.
- A Good First Aid Book can be helpful as well
Along with accidental household emergencies, you will want to be prepared for natural disasters as well. Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Earthquakes, Floods, Wild Fires, Blizzards or acts of Terrorism are all emergency situations most of us might have to deal with at one time or another. To help us be more prepared in extreme times, we have gathered a few links listed below to help prepare ourselves better before the emergency arrives.
Lafeber - Do's and Don'ts of Avian First Aid
Red Cross Pet Disaster Preparedness
Pet Disaster Preparedness The Humane Society