Parakeet attacked by cat

08-15-2007, 10:33 PM

My parakeet got out of her cage while I was putting a new toy in, and before I could lock up the cats, she flew over them. One of them jumped up and grabbed her. We quickly went to her and put her back in her cage, but then I noticed she was picking up her wings. When I went over to see, I saw she had a small spot of blood on her chest.

I know I need to get her to a vet, but living in the middle of nowhere, the nearest vet is far. Do I need to go now, or can I wait until morning?

08-15-2007, 10:37 PM

ideally I would take her in, but since it is after one in the morning there, see how she is acting & decide if you are up for a long drive -- then weigh the pluses and minuses. Cat bites can be fatal, but curvy roads early in the morning when you are exhausted can be too. Fingers crossed for you both.--let us know

08-16-2007, 03:58 AM

Cat bites or scratches are deadly! If the blood was from a bite or scratch you have only a 12 hour window to save your bird. The bird needs to be treated with antibiotics for a Pasteurella multocida infection, a bacteria in cat saliva.

You may have an antibiotic in your home that will treat the infection, your birds needs an antibiotic now if bitten or scratched. Most vets will use baytril or cipro but I read doxycycline will help. If you have something ask the vet for dosage, in a life or death situation he may help by phone.

Good luck...

08-16-2007, 05:18 AM

I hope you're able to get the little one to the vet first thing this morning. Please let us know.

08-16-2007, 06:11 AM

Keeping my fingers crossed that the little one will be okay! Hope the vet is able to see your little one within the 12 hour time frame Winged Victory referenced.

08-16-2007, 06:37 AM

I agree that getting to a vet is imperative - as previously mentioned, even a tiny puncture wound from a cat's tooth or claw could be deadly because of the cat's pasteurella bacteria.

08-16-2007, 08:03 AM

Oh no.......I hope your baby is ok.

08-17-2007, 05:35 AM

Is there an update on the Parakeet?

08-17-2007, 06:27 AM

We didn't make it to the vet yesterday, so we are just observing her. She was a little sluggish yesterday, but she is back to her normal self today, being mean to the other birds, chirping, and flying. She was eating yesterday and still is today. She actually was touched by this cat once before, but there was no blood that time, and she was fine. I really need to be more careful. Every time I let the birds out on purpose, the cats get locked up before, it's when they escape that's the problem.

Do all cats have this bacteria, or is it only some?

08-17-2007, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristy29

We didn't make it to the vet yesterday, so we are just observing her. She was a little sluggish yesterday, but she is back to her normal self today, being mean to the other birds, chirping, and flying. She was eating yesterday and still is today. She actually was touched by this cat once before, but there was no blood that time, and she was fine. I really need to be more careful. Every time I let the birds out on purpose, the cats get locked up before, it's when they escape that's the problem.

Do all cats have this bacteria, or is it only some?

You were advised to get the keet to an A.V. asap and for whatever reason you have not? We were not kidding when we told you cats carry deadly bacteria which most likely will kill your bird if the bacteria gets into it's system. I hope your reasoning was not that your keet cost only $5-$20 approx. and therefore in some people's minds, is not worth a vet bill. Please do the right thing for the lil one & take it asap to the vet for some antibiotics (Baytril will probably be used?). Praying for the lil bird's life now.