Summertime Threats to Pets by Dr. Dana Lewis

Cookouts and Potlucks 

The food people consume can cause mild vomiting and diarrhea to potentially fatal pancreatitis in our beloved pets. Corn cobs, bamboo skewers, and bones can cause foreign bodies requiring expensive life-saving surgery.

Keep them away from the grill because of the risk of burns and also many dogs will lick up any grease from the grill and give themselves pancreatitis.

Most people know that some foods are toxic to pets like chocolate, but so are the artificial sweetener, xylitol, as well as grapes, raisins, onions, alcoholic beverages, and others. (See our post on holiday hazards). Keep them indoors when company comes over and keep them away from the trash after everybody calls it a day.

Pool Chemicals 

Undiluted pool chemicals can be corrosive to the eyes, skin, mouth, esophagus, etc., and result in permanent injury. Always keep pool chemicals and cleaners safely out of the reach of pets and children. Also, not all pets can swim, so supervise them at the pool just like the kids.

The Beach

If large amounts of ocean water are ingested while playing on the beach, hypernatremia (an elevated salt level) can occur. Salt poisoning leads to vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, excessive thirst or urination, tremors, seizures, coma and even death.

Instead of allowing dogs to drink from the ocean, provide them with fresh water. Also, do not let them eat beach sand as that can cause a blockage of the intestines requiring surgery. Again, be cautious letting them swim. Consider a life jacket for all swimmers whether at the pool, beach, or lake. And be aware that pets can also become sunburned as well as suffer from heat stroke even if they are enjoying the water. Short nosed dogs and dogs exercising a lot are at greater risk. Pets cannot dissipate heat like we do by sweating so watch them for heavy panting and difficulty breathing, a bright red tongue and gums, saliva is thick and tenacious, and the dog often vomits. The dog becomes lethargic and unsteady, and passes bloody diarrhea. The dog goes into shock and the lips and mucous membranes turn gray. Collapse, seizures, coma, and death rapidly ensue.



Fireworks 

Besides being potentially frightening to your pet, unused fireworks can be toxic if ingested. The chemicals in fireworks that make them pretty can cause kidney damage, seizures, liver damage, blood cell toxicity, and vomiting and diarrhea. They can also burn themselves or be injured by exploding fireworks so keep them indoors during the festivities. If your pet is frightened by the noise, talk with your veterinarian about what can be done for noise phobia (See our post on thunderstorm phobia).

Article written by Dr. Dana Lewis

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Read more or contact Dr. Dana:
Dana Lewis, DVM
Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice
Raleigh, North Carolina
drdana@lapoflove.com  |  www.lapoflove.com

Dr. Dana assists families with Pet Hospice and Euthanasia in the Raleigh North Carolina area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and the greater Triangle, as well as Wake, Durham, Orange, and Chatham counties. 

Dental care of rabbits, by Dr. Laura Theobald

Dental Husbandry of Rabbits 

Dental care of rabbits is something that starts at home with a knowledgeable pet parent by knowing what to feed, how rabbits chew, and what to look for if there are problems.

Rabbit Teeth / Dental Model

Rabbit teeth grow continuously and are known as hypsodont, or open-rooted teeth and their adult teeth are fully erupted by three to five weeks of age. They have four upper and two lower incisors. The two smaller upper incisors are referred to as “peg” teeth. They grow at approximately 2 mm per week. The premolar and molar teeth are referred to as the “cheek” teeth. These are used for grinding of coarse material.

Rabbits need a high-fiber, herbivorous diet not only for appropriate dental care but for proper digestion. This type of diet should consist of 75-80% hay, generally western timothy, with the remaining portion consisting of high quality pellets and fresh fruits and vegetables. Chewing is characterized by up to 120 jaw movements per minute with a side-to-side motion, which helps keep the constantly growing teeth worn down to their proper levels.

A rabbit whose diet is deficient in fiber, such as a pellet only diet, will be unable to properly wear down its teeth and eventually develop malocclusion (improper tooth alignment). When this happens, the teeth become longer and longer and eventually develop sharp edges known as spurs and cause pressure against each other. These problems can lead to cuts in the tongue, soft tissue injuries and even tooth root abscesses/impactions. Once rabbits have these problems, they are more likely to have them throughout their lives and require frequent anesthetic procedures to trim the teeth and relieve abscesses.

A veterinarian that is familiar with rabbits can do a minimal exam while the pet is awake by inspecting the front incisors and by using a lighted cone to look at the cheek teeth. A full thorough oral exam requires anesthesia by someone who has experience with rabbits.

Written by Dr. Laura Theobald
Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice

Dr. Theobald works with Dr. Hawthorne helping families with In Home Hospice and Pet Euthanasia in the Charlotte North Carolina region. For more information, please see their profile page. http://www.lapoflove.com/North_Carolina_Charlotte 

Thunderstorm phobia in dogs, by Dr. Cindi Worral

Photo by Paul Dings
(Click to see original on Flickr.)

Summer is here and we all know what that means: vacations, barbeques, swimming, and thunderstorms. Unfortunately, some of our four-footed companions suffer from thunderstorm phobias. A phobia is defined as an excessive and irrational response to stimuli that is dysfunctional and disruptive to normal functioning. A dog suffering from thunderstorm phobia has responses which include physical, physiological, and emotional aspects. The physical response includes such things as attempts to escape, finding a safe place, shadowing their owner, hiding, pacing, whining, and barking. The physiological responses include an increase in heart rate, pupil dilation, salivation, and an increase in the release of stress hormones. The emotional is the subjective experience of terror.

Photo by Melissa K.
(Click to see original on Flickr.)

It is difficult to know why some dogs develop this phobia and others remain largely unaffected by storms. There may be a genetic factor since herding breeds tend to be over-represented. Sometimes negative experiences can trigger phobias, as well. Thunderstorm phobias usually begin when a dog is one to two years of age. However, a dog may begin with only mild signs which become exacerbated later in life during a particularly severe storm.

Many fears in dogs can be treated with desensitization, which means reproducing the fearful stimulus in a safe and calm environment. This does not work very well for thunderstorm phobia. You can certainly recreate the sound of thunder and even simulate lightning. However, it is not just these things that cause fear. It is almost impossible to duplicate the rain, wind, changes in the barometric pressure, and changes in the static electric fields. Static electricity may play a large role in the fear since many dogs will try to hide in places that are electrical grounds, such as bathtubs, showers, behind toilet tanks, and against metal radiators or pipes.

What can we do to help our pets during storms? There are actually quite a few things that can help alleviate the fear.

1. Be available and remain calm: Sometimes just being present and staying calm can help. Just remember, our dogs can pick up on our emotions easily so if we get stressed out, that will reinforce their fear. Try to engage your dog in a game with their favorite toy. Provide comfort, but don't coddle them, as that will reward the fearful behavior.

2. Find a safe place: Find someplace in the house that can be used as a safety zone. Ideally, it should be a smaller space with no windows, or a room where the windows can be covered with thick, lined curtains or cardboard. Basements are often the best places. Turn on the lights to help mask the lightning and play classical music. Try to engage your dog in some upbeat interaction, such as play or even leash walking him around the room. A solid sided crate may also help. However, the crate door should remain open. The room should also contain water, food, toys, and treats. At first, you will have to take your dog to the room. After a while, he may head there himself at the first sign of an impending storm.

3. Ant-anxiety attire: There are a few products on the market in this category. The Thunder Shirt and Anxiety Wrap provide light pressure over the dog's body to help him feel secure. It's very similar to swaddling an infant. The Storm Defender also provides an anti-static liner.

4. Natural supplements and remedies: There are many herbal and all natural remedies on the market to reduce fear and anxiety in dogs. Check with your veterinarian before using any of them to make sure it is not contra-indicated with any health issues affecting your dog. There are also pheromone diffusers and collars available. These contain synthetic dog appeasing pheromone, or D.A.P., which dogs naturally release when nursing.

5. Prescription anti-anxiety medications: For some dogs, none of the above recommendations seem to help. In these cases, anti-anxiety medications may be the only thing that can relieve their stress and fear. Many people are reluctant to "drug" their dogs. These medications are not meant to cause sedation and mask the fear, they actually help relieve the stress and fear the dog experiences. If you think your dog may benefit from an anti-anxiety medication, talk to your veterinarian.

Veterinary Practice News, Thunderstorm Phobia in Dogs- An Update, Aug. 18, 2011, Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, Dipl. ACVB DVM 360, Storm Phobias, Sept. 1, 2004, Karen L. Overall, MA, VMD, PhD, Dipl. ACVB, CAAB 

Written by Dr. Cindi Worral

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Read more or contact Dr. Worral:

Dr. Cindi Worral
Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice
berks@lapoflove.com
www.lapoflove.com
(484) 504-9482

Dr. Worral services Berks County, parts of Western Montgomery County including Pottstown, Collegeville, Lansdale, Norristown, and King of Prussia and parts of Northern Chester County including Coventry, Phoenixville, and Honeybrook Some of Southern Lehigh County, including Macungie, Allentown and Emmaus.

In the aftermath of a terrible tornado, ray of light

"Sporting fresh scrapes and bruises and gesturing towards the rubble left in the spot where her house used to lie, [Barbara Garcia] spoke with a news crew from CBS News about crawling out of the hiding spot she had identified 30 years ago and searching for her terrier, lost when the tornado hit. "I hollered for my little dog," Garcia said. "He didn't answer, or didn't come. So I know he's in here somewhere." Moments later, a member of CBS's news crew spots a small, dark grey head poking out of the rubble."

View the video to see the wonderful rescue of this little dog:
http://blog.al.com/wire/2013/05/dog_rescue_lifts_spirits_in_th.html 

Bufo Toad Toxicity, by Dr. Laura Allison

Photo courtesy of the University of Florida Wildlife Extension

At this time of year during the rainy season, it is especially important to be award of Bufo Marinus, commonly known as the Bufo Toad. This particular toad causes a major threat to our pets, especially small dogs. The Bufo toad secretes a white toxin from the skin when licked or mouthed by a dog, thereby causing the toxin to be rapidly absorbed by the mucous membranes in the dog’s mouth. Bufo toads abound in spring and summer and are most active at dusk and dawn. Additionally, they can be seen during the day in areas with much shrubbery and gardens where there is plenty of shade.

Symptoms occur very quickly and include profuse salivation, brick red gums, pawing at the mouth, incoordination and difficulty breathing. If intervention does not occur, seizures and death may follow. As mentioned, puppies and small dogs are most at risk due to their size and the severity of the amount of toxin exposure. The more toxin per pound absorbed into the bloodstream, the poorer the prognosis. In the event your dog has come into contact with a Bufo, the first thing to do is rinse the dog’s mouth out copiously
for 5-10 minutes with a water bottle, garden hose or sink sprayer. Do not allow the dog to swallow the water and do not force water down the throat, this will only enable more toxin to be absorbed. Rinse the mouth side to side with the head facing downward if possible. A wash cloth saturated with water may be used to wipe out the mouth if the dog will not tolerate a hose or sink sprayer. Be sure to use caution as a panicked pet may inadvertently bite you while you are trying to rinse the mouth. After rinsing the mouth copiously, make your way to your veterinarian or to an emergency clinic if your regular veterinary office is closed.

There is no anti-toxin to reverse these effects but supportive care provided by your veterinarian is crucial. If seizures have occurred, your veterinarian will be able to give anti-convulsants to stop the seizures and monitor the vital signs such as your dog’s heart rate. Uncontrolled seizure activity can cause an elevated temperature and the toxin can cause an irregular heartbeat. Intravenous fluid therapy can be used to decrease fever along with cool water baths. If the heart is beating irregularly, anti-arrhythmic cardiac drugs are available to correct this issue. Early intervention and follow up with a veterinarian is critical to saving the life of your beloved pet.

To prevent exposure to a Bufo toad, pet parents should first be aware of what this toad looks like; from younger toads to the adult stage. These are not frogs, which tend to be colorful and have webbed feet. Bufos can grow to be quite large, up to 9 inches in length with bumpy brown skin. In rainy weather, they are more likely to be found in the grass in your yard. Be sure to check swimming pools, ponds and other areas where these toads will be likely to congregate. Try to keep dogs on a leash at all times, controlling their exposure to plants, hedges and shrubbery. Bufo toads eat a variety of foods, including pet food. Minimize exposure by not leaving pet food in areas where toads could have access to it. Raise food bowls if pets are fed outside and clean bowls immediately after feeding time. If your yard is fenced, you can place chicken wire around the bottom of the fence making it more difficult for toads to gain entry to your yard.

Recognizing the Bufo, securing your dog’s environment and knowing what to do in case of intoxication can make all the difference. Prepare an emergency plan ahead of time by knowing your vets hours of operation and where the local emergency clinic is. Carry a water bottle with you on walks, pay attention to the dog’s environment and avoid times of the day the Bufo is most active. Most of all, remember to rinse out your dogs mouth if exposed, this step is perhaps the most important and can make the difference between a minimal exposure and a life-threatening tragedy.

Written by Dr. Laura Allison

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Read more or contact Dr. Allison:
Laura Allison, DVM

Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice
(954) 778-8908
Pompano Beach, FL
drallison@lapoflove.com  |  www.lapoflove.com

Dr. Allison services Broward County, including Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point, Hillsboro Beach, Deerfield Beach, Coconut Creek, Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, Coral Springs, Tamarac, Plantation, Sunrise, Lauderhill, Oakland Park, Ft. Lauderdale, Aventura, Miramar, Hollywood, Davie, Pembroke Pines, Cooper City, and Weston.

Does my cat have diabetes? By Dr. Charles Jameson

Photo courtesy of:
http://www.catbreedsjunction.com/feline-diabetes.html

The technical term for feline diabetes is diabetes mellitus, also known as “sugar” diabetes for its reference to excess glucose in the bloodstream. It is a complex, but common, disease similar to diabetes in humans, in which the cat doesn’t produce sufficient insulin or doesn’t process the insulin produced by its own body. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas in small amounts and helps to properly balance the blood sugar (glucose) levels in the blood. Glucose is the fuel that provides energy needed by the cells of the body to sustain life.

The types of diabetes in cats are based on the human classification system.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 form of diabetes is defined as an absolute insulin deficiency. In this form, the pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin to regulate the glucose in the bloodstream, leading to persistent high glucose levels in the blood. This type of diabetes is very rare in the cat.

Photo courtesy of: http://www.catbreedsjunction.com/feline-diabetes.html

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes in cats, occurs when the cells in the cat's body don’t respond to the insulin that is being provided. As a result, the cat becomes hyperglycemic (high blood sugar), which may lead to having excess sugar in the urine.

No test can differentiate between Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes in the cat.

Photo courtesy of: http://www.catbreedsjunction.com/feline-diabetes.html

Type 3 Diabetes

Type 3 diabetes is also less common and may occur due to other conditions (e.g., secondary to another primary disease which may damage the pancreas).

While diabetes can affect any cat, older, obese and neutered male cats are more commonly associated with the disease. In addition, chronic pancreatitis, hormonal diseases and certain medications have shown a link to increased incidence of diabetes.

As in humans, diabetes is often seen in overweight cats because fat cells produce a substance that decreases the body's response to insulin (as occurs in Type 2 diabetes).

In addition, diet plays a major role in maintaining the cat's proper weight and nutrition, both of which are key determining factors in diabetic patients. Because cats are designed to consume mostly proteins and fats for energy in their diets, high carbohydrate diets may lead to weight gain and increased incidence of diabetes in many cats.

Further, diabetes is more prevalent in older cats, neutered male cats and felines with a history of pancreatic disease, hormonal imbalances and use of certain medications

Your first vet visit: diagnosing feline diabetes

Your veterinarian can diagnose diabetes with a simple, in-office physical examination of the cat and laboratory tests, which will determine if there is an abnormally high level of sugar in the bloodstream and urine.

Your veterinarian may ask if your cat has exhibited any of the following symptoms, indicating a possibility of feline diabetes:

• Increased thirst
• Sudden increase in appetite
• Sudden weight loss (despite an increase in appetite)
• Increased urination
• Increased lethargy

Understanding your cat's diagnosis

The food your cat eats is broken down into glucose during the digestion process. Glucose is the fuel that provides energy needed by the cells of the body to sustain life. As glucose enters the bloodstream, the cat's pancreas secretes insulin. Insulin is a hormone released in small amounts to properly balance the blood sugar (glucose) levels in the blood.

Feline diabetes is similar to human diabetes, and occurs when your pet either doesn't produce or is unable to process insulin, a hormone that helps regulate glucose or sugar in the bloodstream.

Just like humans, diabetic cats are diagnosed primarily with Type 2 diabetes.The types of diabetes in cats are based on the human classification system.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 form of diabetes is defined as an absolute insulin deficiency. In this form, the pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin to regulate the glucose in the bloodstream, leading to persistent high glucose levels in the blood. This type of diabetes is very rare in the cat.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes in cats, occurs when the cells in the cat's body don't respond to the insulin that is being provided. As a result, the cat becomes hyperglycemic (high blood sugar), which may lead to having excess sugar in the urine.

No test can differentiate between Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes in the cat.

Type 3 Diabetes

Type 3 diabetes is also less common and may occur due to other conditions (e.g., secondary to another primary disease which may damage the pancreas).

My cat has just been diagnosed with diabetes … now what?

Discovering that your pet has diabetes can seem overwhelming and scary especially since there is no cure. The good news is that feline diabetes is not a fatal diagnosis and with proper attention, your cat can live a happy and virtually normal life.

Learning how to monitor your cat's blood sugar levels will be one of the most important aspects of caring for your diabetic cat. Your veterinarian may run these tests in the hospital or may demonstrate how to test your cat's blood sugar levels at home, either through urine or blood sample testing.

Additionally, feeding your cat on a regular schedule will help prevent dips and spikes in the cat's glucose levels. Again, your veterinarian will discuss specific dietary changes and options to best fit your pet, your family and your lifestyle.

Finally, it's important to understand that you and your cat are not alone — the more you know about this disease, the easier it can be to manage. Our reference library provides links to additional resources and community blogs about feline diabetes to help keep you connected.

Hypoglycemia vs. hyperglycemia

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is the medical term for low blood sugar. Diabetics have the opposite problem of hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar.

Diabetic cats can develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when their diet and treatment is managed incorrectly. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

• Abnormal hunger or disinterest in food
• Restlessness
• Weakness or lethargy
• Shivering
• Staggering or uncoordinated movements
• Loss of eyesight
• Disorientation
  

If your cat experiences symptoms of hypoglycemia it is recommended to contact your veterinarian for advice. In the meantime, you can try feeding the cat some of its normal food. If the cat is unwilling to eat, try encouraging the cat by offering a small amount of corn syrup on the food. In cases of extreme condition, contact your veterinarian and take your cat in immediately.

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia is when your cat's blood sugar levels are too high, resulting in the primary symptoms of feline diabetes, including:

• Increased thirst
• Sudden increase in appetite
• Sudden weight loss (despite an increase in appetite)
• Increased urination
• Increased lethargy
  

Generally, hyperglycemia is not life-threatening and can be controlled through administering insulin. Your veterinarian will work with you to develop a regimen for testing and controlling your cat's blood sugar levels to avoid hypo- and hyperglycemia.

Living with a diabetic cat

Each diabetic cat responds differently to different therapies. Some cats are easier to regulate; others require more complex types of treatment. Some cats can be treated successfully through changes in diet and with oral medications. In cats with more severe diabetes, insulin injections may be required for the remainder of their lives.

In general, treatment for diabetes falls into three categories:

• Insulin injections
• Oral hypoglycemic medications
• Diet

Home monitoring & testing

Ongoing and frequent home monitoring of your cat's glucose level is important both for ensuring that diabetes is under control and the long-term health maintenance of your pet. Home monitoring usually results in less stress on the cat and allows for closer, more precise control of blood glucose levels on a regular basis, which helps avoid the risk of hypoglycemic episodes.

Home testing of glucose levels can be done with a similar type of blood glucose monitor used by humans. This method requires a small sample of blood that is taken from the cat for testing and generally provides an immediate reading of your cat's blood glucose level.

In addition to monitoring glucose levels through the blood, caretakers can use urine glucose monitoring. However, urine glucose monitoring is generally not as accurate due to the lag time for glucose to go from the blood to the urine in the cat's body.

It is recommended to consult with your veterinarian on the best way to monitor your cat's glucose. They can also provide valuable advice on which type(s) of monitors work best in cats, as well as train you on how to use and interpret the test results.

When at home, you also should continually be aware of your cat's appetite, water consumption and urine output to determine what is normal behavior. Changes in your cat's eating and drinking habits, weight and urine output can be a sign that there is a problem and veterinary attention is needed.

Diet

Along with insulin and oral medications, maintaining a proper diet for your cat is important in a successful treatment program. Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes and insulin sensitivity in most cats. If your cat is overweight, you and your veterinarian can tailor a safe weight loss regimen. Some cats respond better to carbohydrate-restricted diets ( Catkins diet ) and some respond well to high-fiber, complex carbohydrate rations. In fact, some cats have been able to get off insulin after losing weight & staying on the low carb diet.

In addition to the type of diet fed, the feeding routine also is important, especially for cats receiving insulin injections. Ideally, a cat should be fed half its daily food requirement at the time of each injection, with the rest available throughout the day. When and how much to feed your cat should be discussed with your veterinarian as other factors may impact this process, (e.g., number of insulin injections/day or living in a multi-cat household).

Insulin injections

Most diabetic cats require insulin injections under the skin once or twice a day, depending on the diabetic severity, type of insulin used, dose, diet and other factors. Because each cat reacts differently to insulin, your veterinarian will most likely perform a blood glucose profile at various time points during the day to determine the proper insulin dosage and treatment program. Insulin dosage may change over time as the cat ages, and you may need to adjust the dosage based on new blood glucose profiles, test results and how the cat responds to therapy. It is very important to consult with a veterinarian before making any changes to your cat's insulin dose. Many factors are involved with a decision to increase or decrease dose and you want to avoid causing hypoglycemia in your cat. There are reports of some cats reverting back to being non-diabetic after being on certain insulins, as glargine.

There are several different types of insulin available for use in managing your cat's diabetes. Some of the most common include protamine zinc (PZI) insulins, lente insulins, Humulin® and other human-type products.

Oral hypoglycemic medications

Some healthy diabetic cats can be successfully treated with orally administered hypoglycemic medications that lower blood glucose levels. Often, the use of these medications requires frequent glucose monitoring to ensure the best results, and many cats still require insulin injections to achieve the highest level of control.

Ketones

Ketones are waste products of fatty acids that may build up in the bloodstream and urine of cats with diabetes. Ketones develop when the cat's body burns fat, instead of glucose, to fuel its body.

If your cat accumulates too many ketones in the body, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) may occur. This is a serious condition altering the pH and blood chemistry of your pet, and should be treated immediately.

Signs your cat may have diabetic ketoacidosis:

• Drinking excessive water or no water
• Excessive urination
• Diminished activity
• Not eating for 12 hours or more
• Vomiting
• Lethargy or depression
• Weakness
• Dehydration
• Ketone odor on the breath (may smell like nail-polish remover or fruit)
  

Simple urine tests will alert you to the presence of ketones. If you discover ketones in your cat's urine sample, check to see if your cat is exhibiting any of the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis listed above. If the cat is generally alert and well-hydrated, simply treat the cat with your normal insulin regimen, provide the cat with continual access to food and water, and monitor the cat for signs of diabetic ketoacidosis. If the cat develops signs of DKA, contact your veterinarian immediately.

For more information on feline diabetes, please go to www.MyCatHasDiabetes.com

References

1. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. What is Feline Diabetes?
   www.MyCatHasDiabetes.com 2013.
2. Nunn, Lyn. Feline Diabetes: Cat Diabetes Types and Causes
   http://www.catbreedsjunction.com/feline-diabetes.html 2013.

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Written by:

Charles Jameson, DVM
Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice:
Houston location

http://www.lapoflove.com  

Wild Baby Birds – How Can You Help? by Dr. Dana Lewis

It's bound to happen if you're out and about. You are going to find a baby bird in a low branch or on the ground. Wondering what can be done when you find one or more is a question veterinarians often get every Spring. Many baby birds are thought to be abandoned when someone finds them in their yard, but the truth is few young birds just fall from their nest unless a storm has occurred.

If you find a young bird and it is injured, seek medical care immediately from a veterinarian who sees birds. If it is uninjured, you will need to determine whether or not it is really an orphaned bird. The best way is to determine if it is a nestling or a fledgling. Most young birds that are found are really just young fledglings that can't fly well yet. Many people don't realize that when birds leave the nest they jump and glide between tree branches while learning the basics of flying. In order to determine whether the bird is a nestling or a fledgling allow the baby bird to perch on your finger. If it is able to grip your finger firmly then it is a fledgling. The best thing to do in this case is to place it in a nearby tree or shrub and leave it alone. The parents will continue to care for it and feed it.

If the bird is not able to cling to your finger, then it’s a nestling. Try to locate the nest. Most of the time, the nest will be close by and well hidden. Place the bird back in the nest. If the nest cannot be found or is too high for you to safely reach it, make a temporary nest (example- a berry container with tissues inside it) and attach it to a nearby tree or in a shrub to protect it from predators. Place the young bird in the basket and leave it alone. The parents will take care of it once you leave. It is a myth that once you touch a baby bird the adult birds will abandon it.

Should you attempt to hand-feed nestling birds that you have found? Young birds are fed by their parents about every 20 minutes during daylight hours. Most people are not able to provide this much time and effort in raising young birds. You also need to have some education in what is the proper diet to feed nestlings, and then as they grow their diets often change. Never force water or other liquids down their throats; you will actually drown the bird. The adults do not bring water to the nest. Water comes from the insects or fruit they eat. Instead, contact your local veterinarian or call your nearest wildlife rehabilitator. You can find them on the internet. Also you usually have to be licensed to hold wild birds and other wildlife in captivity.

Written by Dr. Dana Lewis

Read more or contact Dr. Dana:
Dana Lewis, DVM
Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice
Raleigh, North Carolina
drdana@lapoflove.com  |  www.lapoflove.com

Dr. Dana assists families with Pet Hospice and Euthanasia in the Raleigh North Carolina area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and the greater Triangle, as well as Wake, Durham, Orange, and Chatham counties.