Sick budgies do not only need an efficient drug, they also need
heat in most cases. The bird's common body temperature is 41°C. It is lower
when a budgie is sick, so the bird is cold. For adjusting the body temperature,
sick birds need more caloric energy than they do when they are healthy. There is
a lack of energy when their organism is fighting bacteria or other pathogenic germs
so their temperature sinks. To help a bird keep its body temperature on the
proper level one can warm him with a special lamp.
Dark infrared lamps are most suitable for this purpose.
The lamp should be placed about 40 cm in front of the cage
for the sick bird. It is important to ensure that the temperature inside the
cage is not too high. There must be a shady place in the cage where the bird can
go if it becomes too warm for him. For example a towel that is put in front of one
half of the cage gives shelter. But never cover half of the cage with the towel
because this could cause a lot of heat inside of the cage. Be sure to place the
towel in a way that guarantees that the air in the cage will still be able to move.
That prevents a heat accumulation in this part of the cage.
If and how log you should warm your bird with a heat lamp depends on the kind of disease he suffers from. In principle you should talk about that to your vet who will surely help you with his advice.
| An warmth therapy should never be applied on one's own account if it is not totally clear if the bird doesn't suffer from any disease that concerns its brain! The heat increases the blood circulation what could cause heavy damages in case of a concussion or if the bird suffers from an infection of his central nervous system (CNS). This could effect a dramatic change to the worse of the bird's state of health! |
All photos and the text on this page are protected by the copyright law. In case you'd like to use photos or texts for your own non-commercial purpose, please contact the author.