Smoke and nicotine exposure in parrots
Other names: Shisha and cigarettes
Symptoms
- Coughing, sneezing and discharge
- Conjunctivitis
- Feather plucking
- Seizures and death after ingestion
How it spreads
Cigarette/shisha smoke, the smoker's hands.
Diagnosis
History.
Treatment
Removal, oxygen and supportive care, activated charcoal after ingestion.
Prevention
No smoking (or shisha) where the birds are; wash hands before touching.
Treatment and doses are decided by an avian vet after an exam; Zajel does not publish doses.
Other diseases
- Heavy metal poisoning (lead/zinc)
- Teflon (PTFE) fume toxicity
- Avocado poisoning
- Household food toxins (chocolate/caffeine/salt/alcohol)
- Food mold poisoning (aflatoxin)