Acute inhalant toxicoses of cagebirds
Duff, P.
Veterinary Record 141(4): 107
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 9265713 Document Number: 474776
Findings are presented from 9 investigations of toxicoses which involved incidents where caged birds were kept in domestic situations and had acute clinical histories or sudden deaths. Case mortalities varied from 1 to 18 birds in a 60 minute period; 8 species died. Circumstantial evidence suggested that 3 incidence were due to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) poisoning, 3 to acrolein or other vapours due to cooking of fats or oils, and one to carbon monoxide poisoning. No obvious cause was found in 2 cases. All incidents, except the carbon monoxide poisoning, were associated with cooking. It is suggested that caged birds should not be kept in kitchens and if this is not possible, there should be adequate ventilation and birds should be watched when cooking is in progress.