“I have used Vet Aid for many skin lesions from hot spots to burns, lacerations and surgical sites. It sped up the healing process by at least 3 – 4 days in most cases if not more. I love the fact that it is easy to use and the animals tolerate it extremely well. My Clients also loved the product and several came back and got more to keep around for unexpected emergencies. I highly recommend Vet Aid no matter how large or small the problem is.”
-Small animal veterinarian
Cherry Douglas DV
Filed under Vet Reviews
Wound licking is an instinctive response in humans and many other animals to an injury. Dogs, cats, rodents and primates all lick wounds. There is a common folk belief that animal saliva, especially that of dogs, has healing properties for human wounds, and there are a number of legends surrounding the healing properties of human and animal saliva.
Wound licking can clean wounds and accelerate healing, so it can be thought of as a form of animal self-medication (zoopharmacognosy). There are a number of components of saliva that have been shown by scientific research to act against infection or to promote wound healing. In contrast to the benefits of wound licking, there is also a risk of serious infection due to the introduction of bacteria and other disease organisms into the wound, and animals may exacerbate wounds by excessively licking them.
Mechanism
Oral mucosa heals faster than skin, suggesting that saliva may have properties that aid wound healing. Saliva contains many compounds that are antibacterial or promote healing. The enzymes lysozyme and peroxidase, lactoferrin, defensins,cystatins and an antibody, IgA, are all antibacterial. Thrombospondin and some other components are antiviral. A protease inhibitor, secretory leukocyt protease inhibitor, is present in saliva and is both antibacterial and antiviral, and a promoter of wound healing. Nitrates that are naturally found in saliva break down into nitric oxide on contact with skin, which will inhibit bacterial growth. Saliva contains growth factors such as epidermal growth factor, VEGF, TGF-β1, leptin, IGF-I lysophosphatidic acid, hyaluronan and NGF, which all promote healing, although levels of EGF and NGF in humans are much lower than those in rats. In humans, histatins may play a larger role. As well as being growth factors, IGF-I and TGF-α induce antimicrobial peptides. Saliva also contains an analgesic, opiorphin. Licking will also tend to debride the wound and remove gross contamination from the affected area.dogs have a type of antibiotic that heals wounds.
In non-human animals
It has been long observed that the licking of their wounds by dogs might be beneficial. Indeed, a dog’s saliva is bactericidal against the bacteria Escherichia coli and Streptococcus canis, although not against coagulase positive Staphylococcus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Wound licking is also important in other animals. Removal of the salivary glands of mice and rats slows wound healing, and communal licking of wounds among rodents accelerates wound healing. Communal licking is common in several primate species. In macaques, hair surrounding a wound and any dirt is removed, and the wound is licked, healing without infection.
Risks
Too much licking of wounds can be harmful. An Elizabethan collar is sometimes worn by pet animals to prevent biting or excessive wound licking, which can cause a lick granuloma(shown above). These lesions are often infected by pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus intermedius. Infection is another risk. Horses that lick wounds may become infected by a stomach parasite, Habronema, a type of nematode worm. The rabies virus may be transmitted between kudu antelopes by wound licking.
info found: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wound_licking
It is inevitable that animals will try to lick their wounds to a degree. Vet Aid’s all natural solution is 100% safe, should your pet decide to lick the area you applied it to. So be sure to check out Vet Aid Products, whether you are in the beginning stages of a wound or dealing with a chronic wound. www.vetaidproducts.com
Filed under Wound Licking
“I used Vet Aid Wound Care Spray on a dehisced surgical incision and was amazed how well it sped up the healing process. The owner was very happy with the result and the animal tolerated it great. I would recommend Vet Aid to all my clients and look forward to using it for a variety of other problems from surgical sites to hot spots.” – Small animal veterinarian Eric Mondschein, DVM, MPH.
www.vetaidproducts.com
Filed under Vet Reviews
“Several months ago, Faith, a female labradoodle developed a resistant deep Multifocal Pyoderma. Even though several rounds and changes of antibiotics seemed to finally clear up the infection, her healing process was slow. The wound stayed open and was healing only slowly. Interestingly, even before our meeting, I had prescibed frequent dips in the ocean as therapy. I actually took her there once myself but as you might imagine, it was time prohibitive and neither the owner, her family, not I had the time to take her as often as was needed. Then you showed up in my office with the ocean in a can. You might imagine my delight. Very shortly after that (Dec 22. 2010), I sent two cans of Vet Aid Wound Care Spray home with the owner and checked the dog three weeks and 4 days later. The photos are self explanatory.” -Dr. Rossen, DVM
Filed under Uncategorized
New Year’s Eve should be one of the best times of the year to celebrate, but when you party it up don’t forget your pets.
Pets don’t always understand the excitement of our festivities and can often become scared. From a pet’s point of view, the celebrations can be hectic, loud and filled with strangers, causing stress and behaviors we don’t normally see in our pets. As you celebrate, be sensitive to your pets needs and keep them as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
If you’re having a house party, put your pet in a quiet place with comfort items, toys and even music or the television on to help calm them. Remember a pet’s ears are very sensitive, so firecrackers, poppers, champagne bottles opening, and yelling “Happy New Year” can frighten your pet.
Even if you plan on a quiet New Year’s, neighbors may be celebrating, which could be disturbing to your pet. Reassure your pets with a calming voice or petting. Loud, sudden, foreign noises can cause your pet to panic. When pets panic, many will do whatever it takes to escape the frightening noise or activity. They’ll jump fences, run into the street and may become lost. Make sure your pets have proper identification, a license and a microchip. If you leave your home on New Year’s Eve, be sure your pet is secured in a safe place.
If you happen to lose your pet, be sure to contact County Animal Services. Unfortunately the shelter sees an increased number of lost pets on New Year’s Day because pets become frightened and run away from their homes.
The shelter will be open on New Year’s Day to help reunite owners with their beloved pets. New Year’s should be a time of celebration, so remember your best friend and keep them safe.
Info found:http://carlsbad.patch.com/articles/new-years-eve-and-pet-safety
1. Be observant of your animal’s response to loud noises.
2. Always keep your pet’s tags on.
3. Beware of alcohol! Many pets can be drawn to glasses of beer or liquor that has been left behind after the celebration is over.
4. Be aware of party decorations.
Filed under Pet safety
Only use unbreakable decorations at the bottom of your tree so there isn’t any danger of your cat batting a glass ball and breaking it, or the pup chewing your grandmother’s antique bubble lights. As for birds — they should not have any access to the tree, decorations, plants and such. For those of us who live with pet birds, we know what mischief they can get into very quickly … not to mention how destructive they can be. So keep your birds confined, or watch them like a hawk (so to speak) when they are out of their cage. Better to be safe than sorry. As far as the less exotic pets go … that is, cats and dogs … how about putting some kitty baubles or doggie toys on the lower branches of the tree instead of your fragile and valuable decorations. That way, if those pets are attracted to the tree they’ll find something appropriate for them.
Since we are on the subject of the Christmas tree, here is another safety hint. If you have a live tree placed in water wrap the base so your pets can’t drink the water. Many modern live trees have been sprayed with chemicals that may be toxic to your little friends.
Be very, very careful with candles. Your bird or cat may be enticed by the flicker of the flame. Singed whiskers or feathers would certainly put a damper on holiday cheer, not to mention the horror your pet would suffer from a serious burn. Place glass “hurricane lanterns” or other attractive covers over candles to protect your home and your pets.
Give some thought to New Years Eve. Pets are usually frightened by the traditional firecrackers and other noisy merriment and it’s best to have a plan to keep them from becoming frightened by the noise. Some dogs may be severely traumatized by fireworks so be sure to leave them inside if you go out to celebrate.
Pets, especially birds and cats, may be stressed by the changes in household routine during the holidays, especially if you are stressed yourself. Some cats and dogs respond to stress by becoming hyper or hysterical, and some simply retreat. Plan to spend some special time with your pets to calm yourself and reassure them during this period. If your pet is especially upset with strangers visiting, prepare a refuge where he can go to escape the “maddening crowd.”
From time to time we are all tempted to share many of the holiday foods and treats with our pets. It’s important to know that pets are sensitive to sudden changes in their diets, which could cause upset stomachs and pancreatitis, a potentially deadly medical problem. Treats that are safe for people can be fatal if given to pets. Chocolate is one of them. It tastes great, but it contains a chemical similar to caffeine (theobromine), which is toxic to dogs and cats, causing diarrhea, seizures and/or irregular heartbeats. Holiday sweets should be kept out of your pets reach.
Cats love to play with anything resembling string. This includes loose ribbon from presents, tinsel and strung popcorn used for decorations. If a cat swallows any of these objects, they can become lodged in the stomach and intestinal tract and can cause blockage. Signs of trouble include loss of appetite, vomiting and/or lethargy. Treatment can involve surgery to remove the foreign material. To avoid this life-threatening emergency, limit your cat’s exposure and access to these items. A safer toy would be a balled up piece of colorful wrapping paper. Your cat can bat it around and keep themselves busy for hours!
For pets, a Christmas tree can appear to be a giant toy rack. Cats are notorious for trying to play with the ornaments and have been known to try and climb up the tree! Make certain that your tree is firmly placed in a wide-based, heavy stand to prevent it from falling. Fragile ornaments should be kept high up, out of kitty’s reach
And last of all, we wish you, your family and animals a wonderful and very safe holiday season.
YOUR ANIMAL COMPANIONS SAFE AND WARM!
As temperatures drop, please stop and review our tips to keep pets snug as bugs this winter: Never let your dog off his leash in snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm. Snow can obscure familiar scents, and canines can become lost.
1. Keep pets away from antifreeze solution, and promptly clean up any antifreeze spills. Antifreeze is attractive to pets but is deadly, even in very small amounts. As temperatures drop, please stop and review our tips to keep pets snug as bugs this winter: Never let your dog off his leash in snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm. Snow can obscure familiar scents, and canines can become lost.
2. Do not leave your pets outdoors unattended when the temperature gets below freezing. Pets that are mostly indoors need time to adapt to cold temperatures. They must build up a thicker coat and get their footpads toughened for snow and ice. Pets that get too chilled can develop hypothermia or even frostbite. Ear tips are especially susceptible to frostbite.
3. Short-coated dogs (Greyhounds, Dobermans, Boxers and Boston Terriers) should not go outside without a coat or sweater in very cold weather, except to relieve themselves. Small dogs with short coats (Chihuahuas, miniature Pinschers, and miniature Dachshunds) are especially vulnerable to cold, and may not be able to tolerate any outdoor exercise in extremely cold weather.
4. Many dogs also need boots in cold weather, regardless of coat length. If your dog frequently lifts up his paws, whines or stops during its walks, it is demonstrating that its feet are uncomfortably cold. Be sure to get your dog used to wearing boots before the cold weather sets in.
5. Dogs with long fur on the bottom of their paws often develop ice balls between the pads and toes of the feet. To prevent ice balls from forming, trim the hair around your dog’s feet. Apply a small amount of Vaseline, cooking oil, or PAM spray to your dog’s feet before taking him for a walk in snow. The oil helps prevent ice balls from sticking. Make sure you use edible oil; most dogs will lick their paws after you apply the oil.
6. If your pet walks on salted sidewalks or streets, be sure to wash his paws after your walk. Salt is very irritating to footpads. Gently rub the bottom of the feet to remove the salt as soon as your dog is off the road.
7. Many animals are less active during the winter, and don’t as many calories as in the warmer months. Reduce your pet’s diet during the winter, to avoid excessive weight gain. You may wish to consult with your veterinarian about the right winter food portions for your pet.
8. Most cats prefer to spend their winter days indoors; be cautious if your cat likes being outside. Don’t let it out in bitterly cold weather, and be sure it has a warm place to go if it does spend a lot of time outdoors. Cats that are left outdoors may crawl into a warm car engine to get warm, which can kill them. It’s much safer to keep your cat indoors during the winter.
Holiday Pet Safety Checklist
You can help keep pets safe during the holiday season by following the tips below. For other important, timely tips for cold weather protection, traveling with pets and safety issues.
* Many holiday plants can lead to health problems in dogs and cats. Among the plants to keep out of reach are holly, mistletoe, poinsettias and lilies.* Snow globes often contain antifreeze, which is poisonous to pets.
* Pine needles, when ingested, can puncture holes in a pet’s intestine. So keep pet areas clear of pine needles.
* The extra cords and plugs of holiday lights and other fixtures can look like chew toys to pets. Tape down or cover cords to help avoid shocks, burns or other serious injuries. Unplug lights when you are not home.
* Anchor Christmas trees to the ceiling with a string to keep it from falling on pets.
* Do not let pets drink the holiday tree water. Some may contain fertilizers, and stagnant tree water can harbor bacteria. Check labels for tree water preservatives and artificial snow, and buy only those that are nontoxic. Some folks use screens around trees to block access to electrical cords and gifts.
Very important: do not put aspirin in the water (some folks do this thinking it will keep the tree or plant more vigorous). If a pet ingests the aspirin-laced water, his health or even life can be at risk.
* Pets, particularly cats, can be tempted to eat tinsel, which can block the intestines. Hang tinsel high and securely to keep it out of reach of pets.
* Keep other ornaments out of reach of pets. Ingestion of any ornament, which might look like toys to pets, can result in life-threatening emergencies. Even ornaments made from dried food can lead to ailments. And remember, shards from broken glass ornaments can injure paws, mouths and other parts of the body.
* Put away toys after children open their gifts. Small plastic pieces and rubber balls are common causes of choking and intestinal blockage in dogs. Ingested plastic or cloth toys must often be removed surgically.
* Avoid toxic decorations. Bubbling lights contain fluid that can be inhaled or ingested, snow sprays and snow flock can cause reactions when inhaled, styrofoam poses a choking hazard, tinsel can cause choking and intestinal obstruction, and water in snow scenes may contain toxic organisms such as Salmonella.
* Keep candles on high shelves. Use fireplace screens to avoid burns.
* Holiday guests and other activity can be very stressful and even frightening to pets. It can also trigger illness and intestinal upset. Make sure pets have a safe place to retreat in your house. And make sure they are wearing current I.D. in case they escape out a door when guests come and go.
* Reduce stress by keeping feeding and exercise on a regular schedule.* Always make time to care for your pets. Some folks get lax about walking their dogs, and a few resort to letting pets out on their own. This puts the animal in danger, while also leading to nuisance complaints and dog bite incidents. Remind pet owners not to take a holiday from responsibly caring for their pets.
* When pets are stressed by holiday activity or during travel, they may require more water. Dogs typically pant more when they feel stressed. Keep fresh water available for them to drink.
* Do not let guests feed your pets human food. There are many holiday foods, including fatty meats, gravies, poultry skin, bones, chocolate and alcohol, that can cause illnesses from vomiting and diarrhea to highly serious pancreatitis and other toxic reactions. In addition, candy wrappers, aluminum foil pieces and ribbons can choke pets.
* Keep pets away from gift packages as well as your gift wrapping area. Ingested string, plastic, cloth and even wrapping paper can lead to intestinal blockage and require surgical removal. And pets have been severely injured by scissors and other items left on floors and tables.
* Keep pets away from the garbage. Use pet-proof containers.
* If you suspect that your pet has eaten something toxic, call your veterinarian and/or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour emergency hotline at 1-888-4-ANI-HELP.
* If your pet ingests glass, broken plastic, staples or other small, sharp objects, call your veterinarian. In the meantime, you can give your dog supplemental fiber in the form of whole wheat or other high-fiber bread, canned pumpkin or Metamucil, any of which can help bulk up the stools the help the foreign material pass through the dogs digestive system. Dosages depend on the size of the dog. For Metamucil, try a teaspoon for a small dog, a tablespoon for a big dog. For pumpkin, feed one-quarter to two-thirds of a cup. Some folks recommend feeding the dog cotton balls to help pass the foreign objects, but others in the veterinary field caution against this since cotton balls can compound the problem.
* By the way, now is a good time to double-check smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and other safety devices and replace batteries. Safety, of course, is the key reason — but here’s another good reason. When batteries run low, the devices often emit alert or alarm sounds at frequencies that can be painful and frightening to many pets. If you’re not home when the alert/alarm sounds, your animals will have to endure that sound until you return, which can be traumatic. So always keep fresh batteries in those devices.
Info found at: http://www.animalliberationfront.com/Practical/Pets/PetsAtTheHolidays.htm
On Behalf of Vet-Aid Products we wish you avery Happy and Safe Holiday Season. Keep your beloved pets safe.
Filed under Pet safety
Reptiles are one of the most diverse groups in the animal kingdom. Their behaviors and physical attributes cover a broad spectrum, which is one of the reasons we humans find them so fascinating. There are a lot of myths and misunderstandings about reptiles these days, but (thankfully) not nearly as many as in the past. Today, we know more about reptiles than we ever have, and this knowledge has brought to light many interesting facts about these creatures and their lives.
1. There are more than 8,000 species of reptiles on the planet, and the live on every continent except Antarctica (where it is too cold).
2. “Cold-blooded” is not the best way to describe reptiles. Their blood is not necessarily cold by itself. But they are ectothermic, which means they get their body heat from external sources. Reptiles cannot regulate their body temperature internally as humans do.
3. Reptiles are among the longest-lived species on the planet. For example, large tortoises such as the Aldabra tortoise can live for more than 150 years. Alligators can live nearly 70 years. Ball pythons, a popular type of pet snake, can live up to 40 years (consider that before getting one as a pet).
4. Most of the world’s snakes (nearly two-thirds) are non-venomous. Only about 500 snake species are venomous, and of those only 30 – 40 are considered harmful to humans. In other words, less than 2 percent of all snakes are considered harmful to humans.
5. With regard to reptile fact #4 above, the opposite is true in Australia. There are actually more venomous snakes in Australia than non-venomous snakes. The inland taipan is one of the most popular of these venomous Australian snakes. Australia is the only continent where venomous snakes outnumber non-venomous snakes.
6. It is a fact that more Americans die each year from bee stings than from snake bites.
7. Certain types of snakes can go months without eating. This is especially true of the big constrictors, such as the Anaconda and the reticulated python. Snakes eat large meals (relative to their body size), and they have much slower metabolisms than we humans have. This partly explains how they can go so long between meals.
Want more interesting facts about reptile species? Okay, let’s continue!
8. Most kinds of reptiles do not tolerate the cold very well. But the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) is sometimes found swimming under the ice in the Great Lakes region of the United States.
9. Snakes and lizards flick their tongues in the air to capture scent particles. They don’t smell through their noses like you and I. Instead, the use their tongues to collect scent particles and then pass the particles over something called a Jacobson’s organ to decipher the air around them. This is partly how reptiles hunt for food.
10. True to its name, the African egg-eating snake (of the genus Dasypeltis) prefers to dine on the eggs of other animals. It will swallow the egg whole, and then use tiny “spikes” extending internally from its spine to crack the egg open and swallow the nutritious contents. Lastly, it will regurgitate the unneeded egg shell in a neatly folded piece.
11. Contrary to popular belief, chameleons do not change their color to blend in with different backgrounds. Chameleons are naturally camouflaged with their surroundings (most are predominantly green to match their treetop environment). The fact is that chameleons change their color in limited ways, usually by brightening or darkening their skin. But these color changes are related to temperature regulation and emotional changes. A frightened or angry chameleon, for example, will become extremely bright in color.
12. The skulls of snakes are made up of many small bones that are interconnected in a flexible fashion. This is entirely different from a human skull, which is one solid piece. This allows snakes to expand their jaws and heads in order to eat prey items larger than their heads. A common garter snake, for example, could swallow a frog more than twice the size of its head. Large constrictors such as the anaconda can expand their jaws to an almost alarming degree!
There are so many neat facts about reptiles that it’s hard to write just one article on the subject. But let’s continue anyway with our list of 21 interesting reptile facts…
13. Many people think that reptiles are slimy. But the fact is that reptiles do not have sweat glands like you and I have, so their skin is usually cool and dry. I have several pet snakes for example, and people who touch them for the first time always say the same thing: “Oh wow, they’re not slimy at all.”
14. The scales of all snakes (and many lizard species) are made of keratin, which is the same substance that makes up the hair and fingernails of humans.
15. Snakes shed their skin in relation to their growth rate. A young snake will shed more often because they typically grow fastest during the first two years of their lives. An older snake will shed less often as its rate of growth slows down.
16. The world’s longest snake species is the reticulated python, which can exceed 30 feet (10 meters) in length. While reticulated pythons typically grow longer, the anaconda could be considered the largest snake by overall size and weight. The anaconda is a heavy-bodied snake and can weigh well over 300 pounds. Learn more about types of big snakes.
17. While the reticulated python and anaconda are the largest snakes in general, the king cobra is by far largest of the venomous snakes. It can grow to lengths of more than 18 feet (6 meters) can weigh in excess of 20 pounds.
I told you there were a lot of cool facts about reptiles worth knowing. And this only scratches this surface. Let’s continue…
18. Some species of gecko use their tails as a defensive tool. When attacked, the gecko will wiggle its tail to lure the attacking creature. When the animal bites onto the tail, the gecko can detach the tail and make its escape. In most cases, a new tail will grow in place of the old one.
19. Most snake species lay eggs. But about one-fifth of all snakes bear live young instead. Rattlesnakes and boa constrictors are examples of snakes that bear live young.
20. Many states such as Georgia and Texas still engage in “rattlesnake roundups,” in which rattlesnakes are gathered from the wild and slaughtered by the hundreds. These activities are mostly practiced by ignorant rednecks who think that rattlesnakes are somehow evil or malicious. Eventually (one can hope), such practices will be outlawed … ideally before yet another species of animal goes extinct on this planet.
21. Reptiles are the oldest type of animal on the planet. Turtles, for example, have been on the planet for more than 200 million years, in basically the same form as we see them today. For this reason and many more, reptiles deserve respect from us humans. They do not deserve fear or persecution!
These 21 interesting facts about reptiles merely scratch the surface. I could just as easily have expanded this list to be 50 interesting facts or even 100. But the point of this article is merely to give you a glimpse into the fascinating world of reptiles and, hopefully, pique your curiosity that you conduct further research into the subject.
Information Found At: http://www.reptileknowledge.com/articles/article19.php
Filed under Reptiles
Neurologic signs observed in horses undergoing treatment with the commonly used antibiotic combination of trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfonamide have prompted researchers to warn veterinarians and owners about this potential side effect. They also recommend that veterinarians report potential adverse drug reactions (AEs, or adverse events).
These AEs are defined as unintended consequences that occur when medications are administered at routine doses. For instance, diarrhea can occur after the administration of TMP and sulfonamide combinations in horses, although this particular AE does not occur any more frequently with this antibiotic combination than it does with the use of other antibiotics.
Unlike diarrhea, neurologic disorders in horses following administration of antibiotics containing sulfonamides with or without trimethoprim are extremely rare; this is the first report of such reactions in horses. Alice Stack, MVB, Dipl. ACVIM, and Hal Schott II, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, both from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, examined the following horses after the animals received the antibiotic combination:
All of the horses fully recovered after veterinarians discontinued the antibiotic.
Further research is needed to determine how and why these drugs induce neurologic disturbances in these animals. Until veterinarians have a better understanding of this reaction, Stack recommends seeking veterinary attention immediately for complete neurologic evaluation if a horse displays neurologic signs while being treated with these medications. This is important as other conditions, such as rabies and Eastern equine encephalitis, can initially present with similar clinical signs.
“Complete recovery after a two- to three-day ‘wash-out’ period should be observed before the trimethoprim-sulfonamide combination is suspected as the underlying cause,” noted Stack.
Veterinarians should report all suspected AEs to both the drug manufacturer and appropriate regulatory agencies.
This report, “Suspect novel adverse drug reactions to trimethoprim-sulfonamide combinations in horses: A case series,” will be published in an upcoming edition of the Equine Veterinary Journal.
information found at: http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=17285
This is a valuable piece of information to be aware of. So I thought I would share…
Filed under informational
Birds squabble, just like humans. They get on each others nerves and will warn each other, in no uncertain terms, to back off! Even my cockatiels, who cannot bear to be apart from one another, get into it from time to time. Sometimes a disagreement might escalate to raised wings and flared tails, but it is always peacefully resolved. There are times, however, when a war is waged that is unprecedented and, from our point of view, unprovoked:
A friend has, among many other species of parrots in her home, two amazons: a female aged 45, and a male aged 19. The two have co-existed peacefully for years. There have been no signs of aggression towards each other or the other birds in the home. The two were out on their perches this day, playing- sleeping- eating, doing what they had always done.
My friend had been in another part of her house and as she returned to the room, the first thing she noticed was that the female was no longer on her perch, then that the male was no longer on his. As she turned the corner, she saw the blood and the male on top of the female ripping at her skin and feathers. Her first thought was that her much older female was dead – she was limp and lifeless. A closer examination showed her to be barely breathing, and in very bad condition. Both, in fact, were so covered in blood that it was impossible to tell the extent of the injuries. She was unsure that the female would survive the ride to the vet.
The female spent the next two weeks in an ICU brooder, receiving injections of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and pain medications. Her broken toe was wrapped. She needed to be tube fed for several days. She managed to escape internal injuries, but she is an old bird and it was touch and go for several days. The male fared much better with the major damage confined to his beak and nares. Much of the blood he was covered in belonged to the female.
The following pictures are very graphic:
The female, cleaned up following the vet visit.
Her right side.
With her broken toe wrapped.
What went wrong? Why did these previously non-aggressive birds suddenly want to have a fight to the death? It can only be presumed, but it is thought to have stemmed from a necessary change in the placement of the cages in that room, putting them in a more direct line of sight, perhaps bringing on hormonal aggression in the male. Additionally, the female’s perch was at a higher level and the male may have decided he wanted that advantage. It would appear from the trail of feathers on the floor that after a tussle, the female relented and left the perch but the male followed, cornered and attacked her with the intention of killing her. Fortunately, my friend intervened before he could succeed. The female had given up the fight and was waiting for the end to come. My friend believes that the fight couldn’t have lasted more than five minutes, but is sure it would’ve been over after just a couple of minutes more.
The male, the gal sure put up a fight.
Another view. You can see where she took chunks out of his beak.
The important lesson to be learned from this story is that no matter how much we think we know our parrots, no matter how much time we have invested in them and what our experience with them has been, they are wild animals that are subjected to instincts and a code of nature that we are incapable of fully understanding. They live by a different set of laws, and as brutal and uncivilized as wild behaviors sometimes might seem, it is nature. They have their reasons for doing the things they do. Understanding that we really don’t understand is important. Controlling the controllables is very important. Taking the knowledge and understanding that we do have, factoring in the personalities and demeanor of our parrots, and applying common sense is really the best, perhaps only, defense that we have against an incident like this one. When I think about my own birds, I think that most of them would prefer to avoid a fight and would be unlikely to start one. Do I know this with certainty? No. My friend didn’t do anything wrong. She did as she always had done with them, which had always worked in the past. Simply repositioning the cages triggered a reaction in the male that was unanticipated, and resulted in an attack.
Still, parrots are reasonable beings. They continually show us that in their willingness to adapt to our environment, but the order to their logic is a mystery to us as humans. We need to be vigilant and supervise them always. We must watch their body language with us AND their own kind. We need to consider the possible outcome of our actions, as innocuous as they might seem. We ask a lot of them in our day-to-day existence with them. For example, we expect them to live in a cage, amuse themselves with toys we offer them and interact nicely with the family. They comply. This speak volumes about their nature.
This incident took place between two birds of the same size and species. Consider for a moment the results of the same level aggression between two birds of different sizes, say a macaw and an amazon – or an amazon and a conure. There would be no contest. It would be brief, but final. The smaller bird would lose, and the loss might have a lingering effect on the relationship you now have with the survivor. Just as in the case with the two amazons, even those who appear to get along fine even with their size differences, can end up in a deadly fight that does not turn out as well as this one. Is it really worth the risk? Information found at: http://www.birdtricks.com/blog/fighting-birds/
It’s unfortunate and very sad. But it’s inevitable that injuries can happen. Sometimes it just seems easier to keep our eyes closed to the possibilities but truth is the more your AWARE the more you can do you best to prevent. At Vet Aid Products we encourage keeping your animals in safe environments for their breed. This can minimize accidents.
Vet Aid Products is 100% safe and all natural and can assist in the healing process with ALL types of animals and their external injuries. Sea Salt alone has excellent health benefits and is very healthy for drying up wounds. Our bodies produce natural enzymes as its natural defense for healing. Vet Aid products combine sea salt, vitamins and minerals with natural defense enzymes to create optimal healing grounds.
We do recommend if your bird has an accident you take it to the Vet. Vet Aid products can assist with external wounds, abrasions, dermal, etc… The wound can be anywhere on the bird’s body and Vet Aid is safe to use. Be sure to have your Vet Aid Product on hand in case you run into an unexpected incident. As we all know accidents are never planned.
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