Instructions
Egg binding is a serious complication of bird pregnancy in which your bird or parakeet is unable to lay one or more of her eggs because they have become trapped inside her body. An egg trapped inside a bird can put pressure on the parakeet's liver, lungs and kidneys and may be fatal if not treated. If an egg stays in your female parakeet's oviduct too long, it can cause nerve damage to the bird's legs and feet. Egg binding is most commonly found in pet birds that are fed only bird seed. Egg deformities can also cause egg binding.
A pregnant bird who has become eggbound may sit on the floor of her cage for long periods of time and you may notice excessive straining and contracting in the stomach area. She may pant and breathe heavily. You may notice that her vent (where the egg comes out) is swollen and that her droppings are very large.
If you suspect your parakeet is eggbound, take her to a veterinarian immediately. Do not attempt to squeeze her belly to help pass the egg since you can crack the shell of the egg and cause internal bleeding, further injuring your parakeet. If you cannot get to a veterinarian immediately, place a heating pad beneath the cage since heat can sometimes help pass an egg. Do not place the heating pad in the cage with the bird.
Once you visit your veterinarian, he will feel your parakeet's body to determine the location of the egg and may take X-rays. Your vet may inject your bird with oxytocin, a drug that induces labor. He may also inject a needle into your bird to drain the fluid from the egg since the weight of the egg places pressure on neighboring organs. Your veterinarian may need to perform emergency surgery to remove the egg from the oviduct.
Egg binding may be prevented by putting your parakeet on a healthy diet as prescribed by a veterinarian. Your vet may also recommend that your bird be given calcium, phosphorus, vitamin and mineral supplements. Hormonal drug therapy can be used to prevent egg binding and a hysterectomy can also be done to prevent future pregnancies for birds prone to egg binding.
The Care of Eggbound Parakeets
Your pet parakeet is the source of joy and amusement in your home, and learning that she is pregnant can be an exciting experience. Although your parakeet may have no trouble laying her eggs, some parakeets can become eggbound, meaning that she is unable to pass one or more of her eggs. The first step in caring for your eggbound parakeet is educating yourself about her painful and life-threatening condition.