Video (length 2 mins.) showing how to give drops to a bird.

LINK: Giving Drops to Birds

This is a great video, Karen. I have never had to give drops to a small bird, but it is challenging for the novice no matter the size of the birds. One of the things that is so very important no matter what the size is to approach and handle the birds calmly. Birds respond to our emotions.

I also liked the point of not putting the dropper on the birds beaks so not to contaminate the dropper. Also another great point is to steady your hand on your opposite finger so to accurately drop into the birds mouth. With a bird that small, I am sure I would miss. Has any of our small bird parronts had to do this and if you have, how did it go?

I am not able to watch the video. I have had to give budgies deworming and medicine at various times. It is fairly difficult because they are so small and easy to crush. Also great care has to be taken since it is easy to drown / asphisiate a small bird. One big drop is more than a mouthful. A sun size bird is much easier.

Most definitely a challenge and a skill and especially so with the little ones. But boy, didn't Dr. Ross make it look like a piece of cake.

I thought that part was very important to know and to know how to do it. I had to do that method recently so there was no contamination to the dropper when I medicated Kita's eye. I was shown by my AV just like the video showed, you steady your hand that's doing the dropping.

I don't feel that method would work well with compounded meds though because they are thicker and wouldn't run into the mouth. When I give compounded meds I always use a clean syringe when I dip into the bottle.

Too bad you can't see the video.

He does cover folding the bird properly. He emphasizes calm handling - stop until the bird is calm. But of course the Budgie never completely settled down & that's very typical for them.

He did seem surprised that it didn't settle & that was the only time I was a bit suspicious of the 'Guru' portrayal of himself that his videos suggest. I 100% advocate the kind of handling he's teaching his Vet students. I just think he's being a tad overly positive.

The size of the drop was not mentioned or the dropper size. He dropped the 'one drop' just the edge of the upper beak, next to the back part. The he tilted the bird's head ever so slightly & the drop ran into its mouth. He talked about choking as well. This way the bill fills with the drop & the bird's head isn't moving so it just ends up drinking it.

In reality you might have a bird with the ability to hold the liquid indefinitely & shake it out later. Or possibly choke. That wasn't covered was it? - the choking & what to do if that happens?

Budgies do generally swallow if you holding firmly. If you have the head between 2 fingers to immobilize it does not struggle and remains calm, it is when you hold too loose that you get struggles. I also never towel a budgies as I cant feel the bird through a towel they are so fragile. If the bird should choke you face him belly down to shake the drop out, and this point you need to let go of the fingers alongside the ears and risk a bite. My finger skin, with bent fingers, is a bit thick for a budgie so when I have been bitten I just look at them and ask them if the finished yet, it is a different matter if you get bitten in the soft skin between fingers, I may not be calm about that. They do let go, mostly with a sheepish embarrassed look. I have to towel suns since they have feet and talons they can get me with, also they a lot quicker to spin the head and bite.

Judy, I emailed with Dr. Ross the other night and he told me he has lots of articles and videos to put up on his site. So I know we'll be seeing lots of him. I am so impressed with the way he is with the birds and his willingness to share what he knows so others can better the lives of their birds.

Thanks Karen, this is a such a great video.