PAGE 82
THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION
SEPTEMBER 2013
Bedminster Animal Hospital is now BLAICHER VETERINARY HEALTH CARE.
Dr. Kurt Blaicher and his Blaicher Veterinary Health Care team are here to
offer the Bedminster community and surrounding areas, professional and
personalized veterinary care with expanded hours and services.
We look forward to seeing old friends and
welcoming new friends to our Blaicher
Veterinary Health Care family!
908.234.0650
•
www.BlaicherVeterinaryHealthCare.com
330
Main Street / Route 202 North, Bedminster, NJ
Dr. Kurt E. Blaicher, DVM, DABVP
Board Certified, Canine
and Feline Practice
TOP BIRD KILLERS
By: Michele Patanio, Animal Paws Pet Sitting LLC
908-963-0311
animalpaws.net
Water
-
Deprivation of water can
have fatal results. The most common
reason for this is a water bottle mal-
function. The tube’s ball gets stuck
and prevents access to water. I would
use stone dishes that clip onto cages
and provide fresh water daily.
Unclipped Wings
-
Birds that have
freedom of the house should have
their wings clipped.
This means they
can glide gracefully
to the ground. If
wings are not
clipped properly, an
alarmed bird may
end up flying errat-
ically around the house and get hurt
badly. Also be careful with ceiling
fans and floor fans. I have seen birds
run into them. Not a good thing.
Toxic Fumes -
Non-stick cookware
and other household items possess-
ing a non stick surface may be toxic
to birds. Cigarette or pipe smoke can
cause chronic eye problems and com-
mon household aerosol products,
such as perfume, deodorant etc. can
cause respiratory problems in birds.
Second-hand smoke from marijuana
can cause severe depression and
regurgitation.
Trauma -
Sometimes birds develop a
cute habit of climbing down the side
of a cage to be with a favorite family
member. A bird walking on the floor
can be stepped on very easily and
suffer a broken pelvis or wings. Be
careful. They can also chew on elec-
trical cords and get electrocuted. I
have seen birds in the emergency
room with burns from jumping into
dryers. So lets look down when we
walk, keep cords hidden and dryer
doors closed.
Other Animals -
Birds should never
be left alone with any animal outside
the cage. Dogs and cats, even if
they’ve been great with the birds
before, should never be left unat-
tended. I have seen an owner come
running into the emergency room
with a cat and the bird hanging in its
mouth. The cat will not let go. That is
a big trama to both the bird and cat.
Toxic Food or Plants
Some toxic items include dark
chocolate and baker’s chocolate.
Milk chocolate is toxic too but not as
bad. Avocados are bad, the skin and
pit are the worst. In addition, I would
not give my bird onions. No study on
onions has been done, but after
what I have seen they can do to dogs
and cats, I would not feed onions to
them. Keep birds away from house-
hold plants too.
We cannot foresee every possible
accident with our pet birds, but I
hope this helps to stop some acci-
dents from happening.
As always please contact your regular
veterinarian for any problems or
questions about the health of your
birds.
With love to all my 2 & 4 footed furry
friends.
20
Years Emergency Veterinary
Medicine Behind Us.
Vacations, daily dog walking, overnight stays, client education on
animal care. We do transportation, give insulin injections, SQ fluids.
Cell
908-963-0311
email: michele@animalpaws.net
animalpaws.org
ANIMAL PAWS
Please call for
FREE consultation.
Last minute bookings
for existing clients.
(
no late fee)
BONDED & INSURED
Pet Sitting, LLC
11
Years
of Loving
Professional
Pet Sitting
Experience
PETS ENJOY
BEING HOME!
Open
Tues-Sat &
Thurs Nights
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