Save Your Canary
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Before you call the vet...
Before you start giving him medicines...
Before you even try to figure out what is ailing him...
Make your canary COMFORTABLE.
First-things-first...your sick canary needs...
- --to be quarantined
- --peace and quiet
- --warmth
- --fresh food and water.
If you have other birds sharing the same cage you should...
***Quarantine or Isolate Your Canary Immediately.**
You don't want other birds to catch whatever it is he has.
So, if you have more than one canary let the sick bird have his own cage. This will prevent spreading of the canary illness plus, being isolated will give him plenty of opportunity to rest in...
***A Place That is Quiet and Peaceful.***
Canaries are high stress birds. They're always on edge.
Provide a place without sudden noises or lots of movement or activity taking place. Maybe a warm bedroom in the back of the house or the master bath.
If the weather is nice and moderate a screened in porch will give him some fresh air and sunshine...always a good thing. (Only on a WARM day though...see below.)
Remember...he needs calm healing relaxation. His immune system does a much better job when there is little stress.
This next one is super important...
***Keep Him Warm.***
A canary illness will strip your canary of body heat. I'm assuming here that your canary is exhibiting one of the most common One of the best things you can do for your canary is to have a good understanding of symptoms. Click here to learn how get your free Canary Bird LISTENING Jump-Start eCourse and begin reading your canary's body language like a pro.
symptoms-->sitting still, all hunched up with his feathers fluffed up. He's trying to keep warm.
But...
Even if he doesn't look chilled you can still provide him with some warmth. It will make him feel better and will speed the healing process.
Your best option for applying warmth is a...
Hospital cage.
These special cages are made specifically for sick birds who need to be separated from other birds and who need warmth.
They're built with lights installed--usually in a separate compartment--for creating heat. A temperature gauge on the side of the cage lets you know how warm things are-->85-90 degrees Fahrenheit is about right for fighting canary illness.
Most hospital cages are built and used by breeders who have a lot of birds around. For the average Josephine Canary-Owner it is a luxury...not a necessity. Another way Miss. Canary-Owner can provide gentle healing heat is to use a...
Household Lamp
Try placing a cloth over 1/2 of his cage and placing a lamp on the other side of the cloth outside of the cage. Close enough that he can feel the warmth but...
Not TOO close...I don't want you to burn your house down...
Try to use a very heavy dark cloth.
You don't want any bright light coming through the cloth. Too much light can throw your sick canary into an early molt...further exasperating matters.
For this reason I really don't like using household lamps. You're forced to turn it off at night because of the light...unless you cover the entire cage with the cloth.
Also--and this is my preferred method--you can use a...
Ceramic Lamp.
A ceramic lamp puts out heat but NO light. This is ideal because--like I just said--being exposed to too much light could cause an off-season molt and that would just make his problems worse.
You really should have a ceramic lamp on hand at all times. Sometimes warmth is ALL you need to cure a canary illness. If you don't have one please get one ASAP.
Seriously, click on the following link. It could mean life or death for your canary. Click here to learn more about ceramic lamps.
You'll also want to make sure he has plenty of...
***Fresh Food and Water.***
Make sure he has plenty of seed, fresh water, and his favorite treat. Careful with the treats though. Just use common sense...If your sick canary has diarrhea don't feed him greens. Good wholesome treats are best...like dry oatmeal cooked rice fruit. Although a sweet treat like a honey stick or sugar water can perk-up your sick bird...go easy on the sweets. There is little nutritional value in them. Once you have your canary isolated relaxed warm and well fed... ...it would be a VERY good idea to give him some medication to help him fight off this canary illness. What medications should a canary owner use? Glad you asked.
First of all-->Get yourself a ceramic lamp like we talked about above. It literally can be a life-saver for your canary. Click here to learn more about ceramic lamps. Whether a virus or bacterial infection or some other canary illness...there are a few things you can give your sick bird to fight the enemy and hopefully-->Win the War.
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