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Overheating in birds can be brought on by being left outside in the direct sunlight, or by being exposed to an interior heat source that has been set too high ( heating pad or a lamp). If your bird is on the obese side, the extra weight can also cause overheating so try to keep your bird at its natural weight. If a bird has difficulty cooling themselves, overheating can become a health risk and even cause death. Be especially aware during the summer months of how your bird is reacting to the day’s temperature and ensure some shade relief is available.
Companion birds acclimatise to the air-conditioning in homes, but if they are exposed to high temperatures, they can overheat and it can be deadly.
A sure sign of overheating is when your bird holds its wings away from its body to enable it to cool itself down; it looks ‘fluffed out’.
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It is quite easy to notice your bird’s distress on a hot summer day if you are observant. The fluffed appearance, quiet demeanour or grumpy reaction is a sign that all is not right. Although birds can regulate themselves to adapt to the heat, there is a point where the heat can be overbearing and they can suffer or even die from too much. If your bird is holding his feathers out and wings are drooping, this is a very strong signal that your bird is in difficulty. If his cage is in direct sunlight in a hot oppressive room, the kindest thing you can do is to remove it to another cooler room. If your bird is left for too long in the heat, they can become dehydrated and may show neurological symptoms. They can even lose the ability to perch or fly. When a bird sits on the ground without moving it can be a sign that they may slip into a coma and can easily die. Birds that are in aviaries cannot escape the heat and owners can only bring so many birds inside.
In this case, providing a shade cloth material can provide a welcome respite. Setting up a sprinkler or misting system on a timer during the hot months can keep your birds wonderfully cool and they will enjoy the experience. If preventative measures have been taken and your bird still appears to have experienced an overheating event, veterinary care should be sought. The veterinarian will assess the condition of your bird based on clinical signs and advise on the safest way to cool your bird down.
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Unless your bird is almost comatose, you may be able to manage the overheating at home, without the need to call your veterinarian. However, if in doubt, do not delay in carefully transporting your bird for a professional assessment. The veterinarian may recommend misting your bird or cooling it in a room temperature bath. Extreme care must be taken as cold water may cause your bird to go into shock. Moistening your bird’s feet and legs can also assist to drop its temperature.
Ensure on hot days when your bird is alone at home, that his cage has shade, and perhaps a breeze (a slightly open window or a fan set on slow to move the air and not fully on the bird - extremes are to be avoided) away from your bird in the room will keep the temperatures pleasant.
If at any time your bird is very overheated and is not responding, then call your veterinarian quickly, it may be that your bird needs an electrolyte solution and additional aid to enable it to recover.
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Regular observation of your pet bird in warm temperatures, to ensure he remains his chirpy healthy self, should become second nature. Birds need shade in high temperatures, clean cool water, variety in their food such as fresh juicy fruit in summer, and a nice misting or two throughout the day. During the heat of summer, spare a thought for the wild birds and provide a nice clean bird bath in a safe area (where the cat cannot reach) so they can cool off as well. One idea is to freeze a deep bowl with some water in it overnight, and then sit another bowl containing food on top of it which will keep the food refreshing. Fruits with high water content make ideal frozen treats for your bird to eat during the day.
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Ask a Vet
Budgie
One Year
Unknown severity
2 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
I live in New Delhi temperature was around 35° Celcius and I woke up late and my budgie were in balcony with direct sunlight, I have 2 budgie, both of them were holding their wings a little far from their body. They look normal now, they are chirping, they are playing, they are eating, they were sleeping on 1 leg, do I have to still worry about heat stroke?
Sept. 29, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. From your description, it does sound like your budgies are doing okay. If they show signs of being lethargic or not wanting to eat, then I may be more concerned, but at this point if they are acting normally and seemed fine then you should be okay to monitor them. I hope that all goes well with them.
Sept. 30, 2020
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Chicken
One Month
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
One of my chickens got overheated, I took it inside and gave it water with a cotton ball and cooled it's temperature downs slowly over the span of 30min, she is opening her eyes and breathing on her own but she still won't be very reactive. I can't get her to stand up on her own and she keeps slowly shaking and stretching both her legs.
July 31, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. If your chicken overheated to the point of organ damage, she may not recover. If you cannot have her seen by a veterinarian, all that you can really do at home is monitor her for improvement and keep her eating and drinking. I hope that she is okay.
Aug. 1, 2020
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Sebastian
Cockatil
5 Years
Serious severity
0 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
My bird all of a sudden is acting weird, he just sits in the same place tilting his head up and open mouth breathing. He slowly opens and closes his eyes. Even when i took him out he wasnt himself. I dont know why he would act this way. Hes got fresh water and food. It has been hot today so i have the fan running. Im not sure what to do though.
July 7, 2018
Sebastian's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Birds typically don't show signs of illness until they are quite sick, and it would be a good idea to have Sebastian seen as soon as possible by a veterinarian to see what might be wrong with him. They'll be able to examine him, determine what is going on, and give him any treatment that he may need.
July 7, 2018
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Eddie
African grey parrot
25 Years
Mild severity
0 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
I woke up this morning to find my parrot having trouble breathing, he is breathing very heavily and he never does this. He is still talking and looks himself but it’s just the panting. I have sprayed him with a mist of cool water and opened a window near him and he has plenty of water bowls around his cage. Can you help?
May 22, 2018
Eddie's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
I'm afraid that I cannot help him over an email, unfortunately. If you have taken all steps to cool him down and you don't think that his panting is related to heat, it would be best to have him seen by a veterinarian who can examine him. If the panting has stopped once he was cooled down, he may be fine to continue to monitor. I hope that he is okay.
May 22, 2018
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Rosie
Budgerigar Budgerigars
4 Years
Fair severity
1 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
My sister left the heater on too high and when I came back 6 min later the smallest bird(parakeet) was panting and her wings were out I’ve cooled her down enough that she is no longer panting. Is this a issue?
March 18, 2018
Rosie's Owner
1 Recommendations
Birds are very sensitive to temperature and don’t regulate their temperature as well as mammals do, they do increase respiration to cool down so if Rosie’s breathing is normal it may be an indicator that she is back to a comfortable physiological temperature. Just monitor Rosie for the next twelve hours or so to be on the safe side and visit a Veterinarian if you have further concerns. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
March 18, 2018
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Alex
Alexandrine parrot
1 Month
Serious severity
0 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
Yesterday my bird was overheated as I left the thermostat sensor out of the box by mistake. I cooled him down at the moment but still he's in the heat stress. He's not taking the feed at all and is continuously sitting at one place with eyes closed. According to me the bird took a lot of stress and is dehydrated. Kindly advice me for his treatment.
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