Protecting your bird from common household toxins

Candace Hersey-Benner, DVM
Roaring Brook Veterinary Hospital, Canton, CT

Birds are uniquely sensitive to many common household items that we use each day.  They are particularly sensitive to airborne toxins due to their specially designed respiratory system. Their fast metabolism can accelerate the effects of any ingested toxin.  The following list highlights some of the more common household toxins that you should be aware of when considering the health of your beloved pet bird.
Heavy metals such as lead can be found in items such as lead shot, wire, old paint or painted items from other countries, foil from some champagne and wine bottles, fishing weights, stained glass, tiffany lamps, costume jewelry, and mirror backs.  Another dangerous metal, zinc, can be found in galvanized metal (e.g., nails or staples), solder, padlocks, zippers, snaps, costume jewelry, pennies minted since 1982, zinc oxide skin lotion (desitin, zinc oxide sunblock), calamine lotion, and suppositories.  These heavy metals can cause immunosuppression with chronic low-grade exposure and make birds susceptible to various infections.  Other signs of heavy metal toxicity can include depression, weakness, ataxia, vomiting or regurgitation, increased drinking and urination, seizures, and diarrhea.
One of the most deadly inhalant toxins is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) emitted from non-stick Teflon cookware when overheated (> 530 degrees F). It is very important to note that the toxic fumes can also be produced from normal heating.  PTFE can cause acute death due to respiratory failure or in the event of mild exposure moist rales, difficulty breathing, wobbles, depression or anxiety.  It is recommended that if you own birds you should not buy or use any Teflon coated cookware.  Other irritants that can cause difficulty breathing, chronic eye problems, coughing and sneezing are perfumes, deodorants, hairspray, and cigarette smoke.  Chronic second-hand smoke can lead to secondary bacterial infections, which can be fatal.  Harsh cleansers and household disinfectants such as chlorine bleach, phenols, and ammonia can cause irritation, toxicosis, or even death.
Unattended birds may also have the opportunity to chew on plants in the home.  Avoid black locust, clematis, lily of the valley, oleander, philodendron, poinsettia, rhododendron, yew and Virginia creeper.  Depression, regurgitation, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and sometimes death are seen after ingesting these toxic leaves.  Lastly, ingestion of avocado, chocolate, salt, and alcohol should always be avoided.
The diagnosis of toxicity in an avian patient can be very challenging for veterinarians.  Prompt diagnosis is based largely on history and clinical signs because specific tests for most toxicities either do not exist or can take 3-7 days for results to become available.  Waiting too long for test results can be fatal in most cases.  Please be aware that your veterinarian may ask an exhaustive list of questions to rule out exposure to the aforementioned list of toxins.  Also realize that bringing your pet to your veterinarian quickly (within 2-24 hours after the onset of any abnormal behavior) will further increase the chances of a successful recovery.