Zinc Poisoning – I have lost count of the number of times a person frantically ran into my previous pet stores with their sick bird. Too often, the problem is related to a bird cage that was supplied to them when they bought the bird. Many vendors simply do not understand the problems that new cages can pose. The first question I ask is if it is a new cage.
Symptoms – Symptoms are as follows: lightness in the chest, seizures, loss of balance, excessive thirst, gasping, difficulty swallowing, and excessive green watery stools. In extreme cases, there is also blood. These symptoms can appear about a day after the bird comes into contact with the bird dust.
Birds that have been sick for some time have some permanent kidney damage. The confusion is that the symptoms could indicate anything from stress to worms to coccidiosis. Coccidiosis can be treated with a sulfur-based substance, but if it is zinc poisoning, that drug could kill the bird within hours. Lead poisoning has similar symptoms and is caused by lead-based paint.
Prevention and cure: this is simple. Each new galvanized product must be washed with acetic acid “Zinc Wash” with a surfactant. Large paint deposits and flakes should be removed with a scraper and discarded. NOT IN THE CAGE! Treatment consists of injections of calcium EDTA, intravenous fluids to correct dehydration, adding heat, and vitamins that also aid the healing process in 3-7 days.
Bottom Line: Take your bird to the vet right away if you suspect zinc or lead poisoning and tell him why you suspect the cage is the problem so that he is not given a sulfur-based medication.