It’s National Pet First Aid Awareness Month! If your feathered buddy is ever hurt, you may need to do some first-aid before you can transport her. Read on as a local Ellicott City, MD vet offers some advice on putting together a first-aid kit for Polly.

Container

You can get a first-aid kit made for a person, and add bird-specific items to it. Of course, once you start adding things, you may quickly run out of room. You can use a tackle box, overnight toiletry bag, or a small backpack. Just make sure it’s easy to grab and carry. We recommend adding things like towels, pillowcases (for a cage cover), toys, and food. That way, the bag can also double as a travel bag.

Stocking The Kit

Your kit should include things like blunt-end scissors, popsicle sticks, pliers, disposable gloves, a penlight, a magnifying glass, nail clippers, tweezers, and wire cutters. Corn starch or styptic powder are good for stopping bleeding on smaller wounds. You’ll also want to add bandages, such as gauze, paper towels, cotton swabs, and first-aid tape. Some other good items to include would be an avian rehydrating product, syringes, and eye droppers. Feeding tubes can also be useful, but it’s important to know how to use them. Last but not least, you’ll want to add things for cleaning and rinsing wounds, such as saline solution (eye wash), chlorhexidine, antiseptic wipes, or iodine.

Documents

Aside from the medical items listed above, we also advise keeping some important information handy. That includes key phone numbers, such as your vet’s number, the number for the nearest emergency clinic, and a number for a Pet Poison Helpline. These should also be in your phone’s contacts. Our number is (410) 480-2222: the Pet Poison Helpline is (800) 213-6680. (Charges may apply.) You’ll also want to keep copies of Polly’s medical records and a list of pet-friendly hotels.

Items for Transport

You’ll need something to carry Polly in. You can find travel carriers made just for birds, but a small birdcage or a cat carrier will also work. Add some towels, to make it comfy. You may also need a heating pad or hot water bottle, as you might have to keep your winged buddy warm. Do you have questions about your bird’s health or care? Contact us, your local Ellicott City, MD animal clinic, today!