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Avian (Lorikeet) Respiratory Emergency and Toxicity Treatment for Queens Patient at Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic

  • Writer: angela5591
    angela5591
  • Dec 22, 2025
  • 2 min read

Case Study #6: Lorikeet Inhalant Toxicity (Cooking Fumes)


Species: Lorikeet (Age 10 months)


Location: Queens, NY


Avian Respiratory Emergency and Toxicity Treatment for Queens Patient at Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic


Birds have incredibly efficient respiratory systems, which unfortunately makes them highly sensitive to airborne toxins. Items like non-stick cookware or heavy smoke can be deadly to birds in minutes.


The Lorikeet, a young 10-month-old patient from Queens, NY, was rushed to our facility for a suspected toxicity event. This case serves as a critical warning for all bird owners regarding kitchen safety.

The Patient: Acute Respiratory Distress


The Lorikeet presented on emergency with sudden vomiting and severe difficulty breathing. The owner reported "heavy cooking" in the home shortly before the symptoms started. This history strongly suggested inhalant toxicity, a known and significant risk for avian species.


The Diagnosis: Toxicity and Exclusion


Time is of the essence in toxicity cases.

  • Stabilization: We immediately hospitalized the patient and started oxygen therapy and fluids to support the system.

  • Diagnostics: We ran bloodwork, fecal cytology, and crop cytology. These tests helped us rule out infectious diseases (like bacterial or fungal infections), confirming that the issue was likely environmental/metabolic.

The Treatment: Supportive Care


There is no specific "antidote" for smoke or Teflon toxicity; the treatment is aggressive supportive care to help the bird's body clear the inflammation. The treatments included, but not limited to:

  • Oxygen Therapy: Crucial for maintaining oxygen levels while the lungs heal.

  • Fluid Therapy: To flush the system and maintain hydration.

Recovery


After several days of intensive care, the Lorikeet showed marked clinical improvement. The patient was weaned off oxygen and discharged in stable condition. We provided the owner with a thorough guide on household toxins to prevent future exposure.


FAQs

  • Is non-stick cookware really dangerous for birds? Yes. Overheated PTFE (Teflon) releases odorless fumes that can kill a bird instantly. We recommend using ceramic, stainless steel, or cast iron if you own birds.

  • What are the signs of respiratory distress in birds? Open-mouth breathing, tail bobbing (tail moves up and down with each breath), and sitting on the bottom of the cage. This is an emergency.

Contact Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic:

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