Keep Tweety Safe With Bird Poison Prevention Tips

According to statistics compiled by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), more than 875 instances of pet birds being exposed to potentially dangerous common household items have been reported since
January 2003. As the majority of companion avians have limited activity outside their cages, poisonings are not common. But birds with free household access are at potential risk of exposure to toxicants. Our experts at the APCC offer the following poison
prevention tips to keep your companion avian in the "sing" of things:

· Birds are highly sensitive to inhalant fumes, so please avoid exposing yours to fumes from self-cleaning ovens and overheated TeflonTM- or SilverstoneTM-coated pans, automobile exhaust, tobacco
smoke, glues and paints, insecticidal fumigants, perfume and hair spray.

· Keep all prescription and over-the-counter drugs out of beak's reach, preferably in closed cabinets. Pain killers, cold medicines, anticancer drugs, vitamins and diet pills are all examples of human
medications that can be lethal to birds, even in small amounts.

· Never allow your bird access to areas in which cleaning agents are being used or stored. Should your pet ingest them, he could suffer from a range of symptoms, depending on the substance, from mild stomach upset to severe burns of the tongue, mouth and crop.

· Foods and beverages that could be dangerous to birds include:
- avocados
- chocolate in any form
- coffee & tea
- moldy or spoiled foods
- onions & garlic
- tomato leaves and stems
- yeast dough

If you suspect your bird has gotten into a potentially poisonous substance, call your veterinarian or the APCC's emergency hotline —
(888) 426-4435—for round-the-clock telephone assistance. For additional bird safety tips, please visit ASPCA online.
http://www.aspca.org/site/News2?news_iv_ctrl=-1&page=NewsArticle&id=17585&autologin=
true&AddInterest=2284&JServSessionIdr008=megl6ksta2.app27b

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Nov. 5, 2004