Avian Supportive Care

Heat and Humidity: Keeping your sick bird in a slightly warmer environment than usual may help it conserve the energy it usually uses to keep its body temperature normal. However, be careful not to overheat the bird. (Panting and spreading the wings are signs of overheating.) Raising the level of humidity can be helpful for birds with respiratory disease or signs of illness. Higher humidity eases the breathing and helps the bird keep the air passages clear and moist. A vaporizer or humidifier can be used to provide extra humidity.

Monitor: This is going to tell you and your vet a lot of information when it comes to the health of your bird. Monitor and measure if you can the amount of fluids and food going in. Also take not of what is coming out the other end. Droppings will tell you the hydration and feed intake. 

Fluids: A sick bird can become dehydrated easily, because it may not drink as much as it normally does. In many cases a veterinarian may administer fluids under the skin, and follow-up oral fluids can be helpful. Favorite foods high in moisture content (leafy greens, fruit) will add to water intake, but check with your veterinarian first to make sure they will not worsen your bird’s illness. Adding a bit of juice (of your bird’s favorite fruit, like apple or grape) to the water will often encourage drinking. 

Fluid and Nutrition:  A sick bird can become dehydrated easily, because it may not drink as much as it normally does. In many cases a veterinarian may administer fluids under the skin, and follow-up oral fluids can be helpful. Favorite foods high in moisture content (leafy greens, fruit) will add to water intake, but check with your veterinarian first to make sure they will not worsen your bird’s illness. Adding a bit of juice (of your bird’s favorite fruit, like apple or grape) to the water will often encourage drinking. Inadequate nutrition will severely impact the bird’s ability to recover from the illness. The best foods to give a sick bird are high in simple carbohydrates and easy to digest. Ask your veterinarian for appropriate suggestions. 

This is a great little video that goes through how to give fluid, food and medication to a bird.

A Calm and Quite Space: Keep an ill or injured bird quiet and inactive. Remove toys from the cage and limit noisy activities or move the bird to a quiet part of the house. Make sure that your bird gets adequate (10 to 12 hours) uninterrupted sleep.