Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 3/29/2007

Question
Thanks for taking the time to answer. My friend owned 4 cockatiels, 2 parakeets,1 love bird, another exotic bird I don't know dark green and deep red, and had them caged on patio in FL. She has had these for several years. She went on vacation and had neighbors feed them. I was out of town also and upon my return, prior to her return was asked to help her son, who checked in on the birds as something attacked them.  Several of them were severly injured. His Mom had told him via phone to separate the injured ones and treat with neosporen. The next day the injured one disapeared out of the cage, only feathers stayed behind?! No blood, no carnage.  We suspected maybe a snake-no clue. The lovebird seemed to have been injured several days prior to that on the top of one wing. I gave him a bath with Hydroxen Peroxide (spelling?) and doctored him with neosporen. (Saturday PM) I was told not to bring to vet-due to cost. He already had small worms in him, he made it another 3 hours and ate well, but I found him dead later. Poor lad. We had moved the birds inside the house, not knowing what had gotten into them. One cage was knocked over, so maybe a wild cat or racoon. Of the four cockatiel, one was laying on the cage floor, his legs were chewed off, only stumps left.  We disposed of him. The surviving cockatiel has one leg definately broken and I am sure it should be amputated. He had severe wing damage and blood from raptured quills.  We washe him as well and put neosporen on his wings after I dapped the open wound with flour to ensure bleeding stopped. Now I know nothing of birds, I am a dog owner. I educated myself on the internet as much as possible to help her-mind you not she was still out of the country on vacation.  I took the remaining three birds in and put them on my porch which is enclosed with netting. I did separate the two parakeets as they each have an injured leg and some slight blood staining under the chest feathers.  I think one might have rubbed of on the other.  They are much in love and I eventually 2 days later put them back together. They seem to be doing much better and are eating and drinking fine.
The cockatiel wants to be pet and is very animated much to the amusement of my dogs. Now, tonight one of my dogs started coughing, like a dry heaving.  I thought he had a hairball.  It stopped now, but surely scared the hell out of me.  I wonder if the birds are sick in addition to their injuries or maybe got these injuries due to an illness. Sadly I don't roll in money or I would be dragging all of them to the vet in the AM. I was reading up on avion illnesses but am uncertain if this applies. Any suggestion are appreciated.  I will again try to convince my friend to spend the money and take at least the cockatiel in to the vet.  They are putting a screening around their patio, but until then I have the birds. Am I risking my dogs health here? Any thoughts?
In advance I appreaciate your time. Sincerely, Doris

Answer
Hi, Doris.  Thanks for posting!

What a mess!  I don't believe your dogs are in danger of catching anything from the birds.  The species are too different genetically, however, not knowing what attacked the birds, there could be lingering nasties from whatever attacked.  The birds are not only injured, but are stressed out, possibly in shock.  Shock can kill quickly.  I think it's very important for these birds to be seen and evaluated by a certified avian veterinarian ASAP.  One has a broken leg that should have already been treated.  Once stress and shock set in, it's quite easy for birds to become ill from whatever nasties might be around, particularly if what attacked these birds was infected with something, which is highly likely.

I realize these aren't your birds, but they do need to see the bird vet ASAP.

Chrys