My african grey has just chewed a card of laxatives what should I do?

[Billykins]

My adventurous bird Billy, has been in my bedroom drawer and chewed through a card of laxatives has anyone got any suggestions is there something I can do? I'm very worried, not sure how much he has had there are just bit and pieces of the pills left.

 

[Terry57]

Please take him to an avian vet asap to get him checked out.

 

[getwozzy]

Call your vet ASAP and let them know; they will most likely want you to bring him in ASAP

 

[Birdman666]

Well, the first thing I would do after talking to a vet, is make sure he stays properly hydrated. He may have just chewed things up, and not ingested much of anything... that's a best case scenario.

If he did ingest, then the biggest hazard is probably pooping so much that you become dehydrated. Watch him closely, make sure he drinks plenty of fluids in the next 24 hours.

Beyond that, stock up on paper towels... cuz this could get messy!

 

[JerseyWendy]

My adventurous bird Billy, has been in my bedroom drawer and chewed through a card of laxatives has anyone got any suggestions is there something I can do? I'm very worried, not sure how much he has had there are just bit and pieces of the pills left.

Ahem...WHAT??? I sure hope that while I'm writing my response, you have vetted your bird. If you as much as REMOTELEY suspect he's ingested some of those, you ought to seek medical assistance straight away.

May I also kindly and gently suggest that you keep your drawers and cabinets TIGHTLY CLOSED in the future, especially if they contain potential poisons for your bird.

I'm actually nearly speechless.

 

[Katiejayne]

Oh no keep us informed hopefully he didn't swallow a lot just chewed it up

 

[getwozzy]

Any update yet on Billy??? Is he doing ok? What did your vet say??

 

[Birdman666]

I am guessing that since most laxatives don't taste good he wouldn't ingest very much. It would probably be more of a chew toy. He might ingest enough to sample it... which means he would poop a lot for about a day.

I don't think he OD'ed on laxatives...

If something happened, we'd have heard by now.

 

[Kiwibird]

O my. I hope the lack of update here means the bird was taken to the vet and turned out to be ok. Remember, when you have an animal with the intelligence of a toddler, you must take extra measures to bird-proof the house in much the same ways you'd baby-proof for a toddler! And unless they are in a dedicated, 100% bird-safe aviary room, you *NEVER* let them out of your sight for even a second, or they will get into trouble. I am as astonished as Wendy that this situation could happen.

 

[jenphilly]

I'm not astonished really... they are like little kids, they get into things you would not even consider as interesting! It was an accident, scary and quite a lesson for all of us to remember we teach these guys to forage, and a dresser drawer is just a big foraging toy for a parrot!!

Everyone is right, we need to keep an eye on them constantly, it only takes a second for a tragedy to happen, much like having a baby who just learned his legs will take him wherever he wants to go and he is off motoring around!!

I hope he is okay and it did make me take a look around at what might be available or easily gotten into... I know Ivory has taken up the new habit of snatching pens, so now I'm always looking to see if a pen is on the table or counter or anywhere the little white chicken could get to.

 

[Sheryl]

Call the doctor and ask advice.

 

[Birdman666]

Call the doctor and ask advice.

Not to single this person out or anything, but why is someone's initial reaction to something like this to go online and blog about it, instead of IMMEDIATELY calling a qualified vet?

NONE OF US ARE AVIAN CERTIFIED VETS... IF YOU NEED MEDICAL ADVICE, CALL ONE FIRST...

Training tips I can do. Toymaking tips. Sure.

My bird might have been poisoned... Call the dang vet! THEN tell us what he said so that others may learn...

The purpose of this is not to flame, or judge. Just saying... far too many people these days think a chat room is a cheap substitute for REAL medical advice. Until the bird dies, of course...

 

[JerseyWendy]

Not to single this person out or anything, but why is someone's initial reaction to something like this to go online and blog about it, instead of IMMEDIATELY calling a qualified vet?

VERY very good point! My thoughts exactly.

And to be perfectly honest, I have some suspicions here.

 

[Birdman666]

Not to single this person out or anything, but why is someone's initial reaction to something like this to go online and blog about it, instead of IMMEDIATELY calling a qualified vet?

VERY very good point! My thoughts exactly.

And to be perfectly honest, I have some suspicions here.

Really?! Hadn't crossed my mind...

 

[MomtoPercy]

I agree 100% Birdman!! When Percy is being 'difficult', come here. When he's done something 'weird', I come here. When he bites me (again! LOL!), I come here. You get the picture...

If he even so much as poops funny, I run, not walk, RUN to the vet! When I first got Percy, I read the following phrase (or something to the effect) somewhere during my research : "birds are delicate creatures and they can easily die overnight when ill". Those words struck fear in my heart and I will never waste precious time asking here what could be wrong with him (no offence to any of you all )

All that said (and ignoring the suspicions you have), we mustnt judge this incident too harshly. Accidents can happen in an instant, despite our best intentions. However, I agree with April - BIRDPROOF your home! Especially if your bird has free run or flight of the house.

I hope this CAG is alright

 

[Billykins]

Just to let everyone know Billy is fine. Unfortunately I don't have an avian vet in my area and being disabled and without a car my options were very limited. I did make sure he ate and drank as much as possible and I am sure that helped. Yes, he did have some repercussions ( pretty messy) but is back to normal. The laxative had a coating that was obviously to his taste, and though all were chewed I'm not sure how much of the active ingredients were digested. First I knew of his misdeed is when I went into the bedroom and he told me to "go on" that always means he is up to some sort of mischief. Thanks to everyone for your support.

 

[Billykins]

I really did not have access to help or advice I didn't realise people would be so judgemental, it's not helpful. These things happen to everyone and If you knew the history of Billy you would understand just what a handful he is, he is my late father's bird and when my father developed Alzheimer's he was just allowed to do whatever he wanted to. You'd should never judge without knowing the other persons circumstances. it's very discouraging, however, I was glad to read about keeping Billy hydrated that Was helpful.

 

[Terry57]

I am so glad to hear that Billy is doing better...what a scare!
I think that people who replied to you were just really concerned about Billy.
I am so sorry to hear about your father. That must have been very difficult.

I would love to hear more about Billy!

 

[SoCalWendy]

I really did not have access to help or advice I didn't realise people would be so judgemental, it's not helpful. These things happen to everyone and If you knew the history of Billy you would understand just what a handful he is, he is my late father's bird and when my father developed Alzheimer's he was just allowed to do whatever he wanted to. You'd should never judge without knowing the other persons circumstances. it's very discouraging, however, I was glad to read about keeping Billy hydrated that Was helpful.

Very glad to hear that Billy is doing fine. And I hope that you stay and see that the people on here are really knowledgable and kind. You should post some pictures of Billy, I would love to see them.

 

[Anansi]

I'm glad to hear that Billy is doing better. And I'd like to extend a belated welcome to the forum. Don't take anything said here too personally. We're all here because of a passion for birds. And when you really care, passions can run high. But nothing is unkindly meant. You'll see. This place is just a big old love-fest. Lol!

I second SoCalWendy's request for some pics, and Terry's request for a proper introduction to Billy.