Zinc Poisoning - I have lost count of the number of times that a person raced into my previous pet shops frantic with their sick bird. All too often the problem is related to a bird cage that was supplied when they bought the bird. Many suppliers just don't understand the problems that new cages can pose. The first question I ask is whether it is a new cage.

Symptoms - The symptoms are as follows: lightness in the chest, convulsions, loss of balance, excessive thirst, gasping, difficulty in swallowing and excessive green watery droppings. In extreme cases blood is also present. These symptoms can come within a day or so of the bird coming into contact with the bird powder.

Birds that have been sick for some time have some permanent kidney damage. The confusion is that the symptoms could indicate anything from stress to worms to coccidiosis. Coccidiosis can be treated with a sulphur based substance but if it is Zinc Poisoning then that medication could kill the bird in hours. Lead poisoning has similar symptoms and is caused by lead based paint.

Prevention and Cure - This is simple. Every new galvanised product should be washed down with a "Zinc Wash" Acetic Acid with a surface active agent. You need to chip away any large paint flakes and deposits with a a scraper and dispose of them. NOT IN THE CAGE! Treatment is with injections of calcium EDTA, intravenous fluids to correct dehydration, added warmth and vitamins also help the healing process in 3-7 days.

Conclusion - Get your bird to the vet immediately if you suspect zinc or lead poisoning and tell them why you suspect the cage is the problem so a sulphur based medication isn't administered.