Thermoregulatory Emergencies
Heat stroke
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- Place feet in pan of cold water or mist feathers with cold water.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
Hypothermia- the condition of having an abnormally low body temperature, typically one that is dangerously low.
Symptoms of Hypothermia
Parakeets and cockatiels are hardy birds, but both can get chilled in cool temperatures or when the weather changes. Both species exhibit the same behavior when they’re cold. Pet birds such as parakeets and cockatiels are most comfortable with a median house temperature around 70 degrees.
- Fluffed feathers
- tucks head and/or beak in chest
Treatment
- Warm the bird by using a heating pad or place bird inside your clothes to capture your body heat. Be careful to not hold too tightly to interfere with breathing.
- Gently rub its feet to increase circulation or place them in warm water.
- Fill your bathroom with hot steam from the shower and hold your bird near.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
Items you will need
- Temperature-controlled environment
- Thermostat
- Blanket
- Heat lamp
- Thermo-pertch
Parakeets, like most pet birds, must be kept warm in the winter time to avoid serious health risks. Birds make great pets and take up less room than more common pets like cats and dogs. Parakeets can live between 10 and 14 years if kept for properly in a temperature-controlled environment. Blankets, heat lamps and heated perches can all aid in providing a safe environment for a parakeet to live in.
Keep your house warm. During the winter, the temperature outside the home can drop dramatically so it is important to keep your parakeet inside and warm to ensure its survival. Keep the house temperature at a minimum temperature of 70 degrees. You can use your home’s thermostat to adjust the inside temperature. Place a blanket over the parakeet’s cage to lock in heat.
Install a heating lamp near the parakeet’s cage. Make sure that the lamp does not over-heat the parakeet. Place the lamp close enough that it provides heat, but not so close that it injures the bird. A good distance to start placing the heat lamp is 12 inches from the edge of the cage. If you see that your parakeet is uncomfortable, move the lamp farther back.