Heatstroke / heat stress in falcons

Cause: Extreme heat, humidity, transport in a car without ventilation, flying at midday, lack of water · Type: Environmental

Other names: Sunstroke، The bird is stifled by the heat

Symptoms

• Open-beak breathing and rapid panting
• Holding the wings away from the body
• Lethargy and loss of balance
• Collapse and convulsions

Diagnosis

Circumstances + signs.

Treatment

Emergency: move to a shaded/air-conditioned place, cool gradually (spray lukewarm water on the legs and body, a fan), do not use ice, then the vet.

Prevention

Air-conditioned rooms for gyrfalcons and hybrids in summer, shade and ventilation, bathing water, transport boxes with fans, do not fly during the hot hours.

Season

May-September in Egypt and the Gulf.

Treatment and doses are decided by an avian vet after an exam; Zajel does not publish doses.