There are a lot of substances in the household that can cause poisoning in budgies and other birds.
The following substances lead to poisoning of these in any case.
Alcohol
Symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Clouding of consciousness
Possible consequences:
- Death due to alcohol poisoning (especially older and weakened animals)
Hazard sources:
- unattended glasses with alcohol (e.g. beer or wine)
Lead
Symptoms:
- central nervous disorders
- raspberry colored liquid feces
Possible consequences:
- Damage to the kidneys, bone marrow and nervous system
- Paralysis, convulsions and blindness
Hazard sources:
- lead-containing rust inhibitors or paints (lead white)
- Lead cords in curtains
- Leaded window panes or mirrors
Table salt
Symptoms:
- central nervous disorders
- Agitation, trembling, twisting of the head, uncoordinated movements
- increased thirst
Possible consequences:
- Death from severe or chronic saline poisoning
Hazard sources:
- salty foods (e.g. salt sticks, salted almonds)
- human food from table
- Salt Stones
Therapy:
- Sufficient drinking water
- Instill water with pipette or syringe
- Veterinarian in severe cases
Caffeine and theophylline
Symptoms:
- Hyperactivity
- Vomiting
- central nervous disorders
Possible consequences:
- Convulsions and epileptic seizures
- Death from heart failure
Hazard sources:
- products containing caffeine
- Coffee powder or tea leaves
- unattended tea or coffee cups
Nicotine
Symptoms:
- central nervous disorders
Possible consequences:
- Coma and death (even with small amounts!)
Hazard sources:
- Tobacco residues
- Cigarettes or cigarette butts
- Ashtray
- Other tobacco products
Hexachlorophene
Symptoms:
- Blindness
Possible consequences:
- temporary or even lifelong blindness
Hazard sources:
- Deodorant sprays
- Household soaps
- other products with this ingredient
Teflon or non-stick coatings
Above a certain temperature (approx. 220°C), a Teflon coating releases the gas “fluorphosgene”, which is extremely toxic for birds.
Symptoms:
- High degree of respiratory distress (beak breathing)
- mostly nosebleeds
Possible consequences:
- Death a few minutes after inhalation
Hazard sources:
- Raclette with non-stick coating
- Fondue with non-stick coating
- Waffle iron, sandwich maker, etc. with non-stick coating
- Pans and pots with non-stick coating
- Iron with Teflon soleplate
- Oven (esp. self-cleaning)
Zinc
Symptoms:
- Vomiting
- central nervous disorders
Possible consequences:
- Damage to internal organs (cf. lead poisoning)
Hazard sources:
- Galvanized cage grids
- galvanized aviary or mesh wire
- galvanized metal parts, such as screws, carabiners, etc.
