animal emergency kits

[MsPony]

So, after having to hand feed a chick at 1am last night I realized I need an emergency kit. I didn't have any hand feeding bird baby formula so I had to run around and put something together, then had to attempt at hand feed out of a way too big syringe since I had nothing else. Phew.

So what are in your kits? We don't cull at my place, I'm a backyarder with pets, so we fix. I have a variety of powders, one vegetarian mix from Oxbow, and a crested gecko mix that the gecko gets everyday. I was thinking the omnivorous formula by Oxbow? That way I could mix some in for hand feeding. Syringes of every kind needed, those heat blankets, variety of meds, vetrap...

What else? I am going to do a big Cal Vet order.

 

[Farmfresh]

We hand fed a large number of wild baby birds to adulthood over my childhood years with a pretty un-orthodox mixture. We used a good quality DOG food soaked with a bit of water to moisten until soft and mixed that with a fresh egg yolk and sometimes even added a dab of yogurt.

Of course now days there are actually hand feeding mixes available. The old standby still works in a pinch or with feeble older birds as well.

 

[MsPony]

Usually I have Exact handfeeding formula on hand, comes in handy with sick hens! But I didn't have any last night.

I was thinking adding the carnivore formula into my pile as chickens have different/higher protein requirements then your average cockatiel/lovebird/etc.

Any other suggestiongs for my kit??

(Btw, Sunny had a healthy appetite this AM!! I just had to get some energy/nourishment, warmth and sleep in to her.)

 

[ORChick]

Timely post. I just picked up 5 new chicks yesterday. The 2 bantams took longer than the others to get over the less than optimum temps in the car for the ride home (1 1/2 hour drive, but they had a hotwater bottle), but seemed to have perked up by the time I went to bed. This morning one of the little ones seemed very lethargic. I encouraged it to drink some water (that is, I dunked its beak until it swallowed), and then called the chicken guy at the farm store. He suggested a little sugar water, and maybe some cottage cheese. I got some sugar into the wee one (into all of them actually), but will need to buy some cottage cheese. The sugar seemed to perk her up. I feel a little foolish that I am not better prepared, but the other new chicks I have had have thrived with no special care.

 

[MsPony]

Ohhh, that's why I thought of adding the gecko mix that was fruit based, sugar! If you want me to mix you up a baggie that you just add water too, I can! I have lots and lots of all these powders. I thought this AM of adding in Zoo formula, so I just poured it over their food this AM.

Anyone have suggestions for my kit??

 

[ORChick]

My little bantam chick didn't survive, and I'm not at all sure about her sister. The other 3, the standard chicks, are bouncing about as they ought. I'm feeling a bit down right now.

 

[MsPony]

*hugs* it happens hunny, not every chick is supposed to live unfortunately

 

[i_am2bz]

My little bantam chick didn't survive, and I'm not at all sure about her sister. The other 3, the standard chicks, are bouncing about as they ought. I'm feeling a bit down right now.

So sorry, ORChick...that's sad.

MsPony - where do you get your "mix"? At a feed store? Pet store that sells exotic birds?

As far as a kit goes, I do keep pretty much every needle-less syringe I get my hands on (like, when the vet gives you something to administer at home). But really, I have more things together for my dogs & cats than my birds. :/

 

[MsPony]

Normally I get exact handfeeding baby bird, but I am making a mix of the Oxbow vet lines (herbivore and carnivore), PGR, Zoo formula, chick feed and crested gecko food. I need some sort of probio in there...Ill have to run it by my vet, but if it deems good, want some? I can make up a few little baggies.

Thanks for the input guys I will run around Cal Vet and see if there's anything else on the list...

 

[i_am2bz]

Normally I get exact handfeeding baby bird, but I am making a mix of the Oxbow vet lines (herbivore and carnivore), PGR, Zoo formula, chick feed and crested gecko food. I need some sort of probio in there...Ill have to run it by my vet, but if it deems good, want some? I can make up a few little baggies.

Sure! Sounds like a handy thing to keep around. PM me & I can give you my address.