As a professional avian breeder, it is crucial to have a first aid kit that includes essential drugs and supplements to address any potential emergencies, injuries, or illnesses that may arise in the aviary. In this article, we will discuss the necessary drugs and supplements that every bird breeder should have.
Antiseptic drugs
Ethyl alcohol and povidone-iodine solution are the two antiseptics that should be available in your first aid kit. Ethyl alcohol is used for cleaning and disinfecting wounds resulting from trauma or fights between birds or animals attacks. Povidone-Iodine Solution effectively treats deep wounds and combats various pathogens such as viruses, fungi, protozoa, and bacteria.
Antibiotics
Enrofloxacin is a common antibiotic for animals used to treat bacterial infections such as E-coli, Mycoplasma, and Salmonella. This drug only targets bacteria and does not have any effect on other pathogens such as viruses, fungi, protozoa, or worms. Additionally, anticoccidial drugs are also recommended as coccidiosis is a common protozoan disease that can infect all caged birds. It spreads in hot and humid conditions. When it infects your bird It settles in the intestine and causes enteritis.
Supplements
Nutritional supplements should be provided to the bird in every phase of its life, with a standard multivitamin being sufficient for all-year-round use. However, during the breeding season and molt, birds require a greater amount of minerals and vitamins, so providing a nutritional supplement is a must during these times. Calcium and vitamin D supplements are also recommended in case of egg binding.
Another important supplement is probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms that exert a beneficial effect on the host’s health, living peacefully in the gastrointestinal tract. Hence, it helps in digestion, and absorption of nutrients such as minerals and vitamins, among other functions.
Bonus – additional drugs
Include paraffin oil in the first aid kit as it helps with constipation, intestinal blockage, and egg binding. Also including Ivermectin in the first aid kit is recommended for every bird breeder. Ivomec is a brand name for a drug called Ivermectin. It is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic medication that is commonly used to treat parasitic infections in birds. It is effective against a wide range of internal and external parasites such as mites, lice, and roundworms.
consulting with a veterinarian is crucial before administering any medication or treatment to a sick bird. Veterinarians have the necessary knowledge and experience to diagnose and treat birds, and they can advise on the appropriate course of action.