Emergency? Chewed On Matches!!

[lcarle]

I have already called the poison control and the vet. I am waiting for the vet to call back. Her daughter had her cell.

Faile, TAG, ended up in a box that had newspaper and matches. I did NOT know about the matches. They are wooden matches but she has chewed on about 15 match heads. What to do while waiting for the vet???!!!! Please help. NOt sure if I should give her something to drink. Thanks for your help.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Hey Laura,

Match heads are made of phosphorus. I did a Google on phosphorus harmful to birds and came up with nothing.

Phosphorus is a mineral and is sometimes given to birds as a suppliment along with calcium.

For what I see - there is no harm done... but like anything... an over abundance might be a problem.

I would keep an eye out for any behavior changes in eating, drinking, pooping and so on.

Otherwise - it appears that no harm has been done.

I emailed our resident experts to weigh in on this.

Lar

[Dot]

Thank God for brains. I've been doing searches for "matches." I got no where. Let us know what your vet says.

[birdscomefirst]

Hi All,

Read this....read the whole thing.....There are some chemicals involved that can be toxic. There is much more than phosphorous.

http://www.enotes.com/how-products-encyclopedia/match

Let us know how things go. It should be OK but it's tough to be sure.

Bill

[birdscomefirst]

I think there will probably be a big difference depending upon whether the bird chewed on them or chewed them off and ingested them. The situation is of course better if the bird chewed a few and didn't eat them.

Keep the ones that were chewed so they can attempt to figure out how much of what was ingested.

[Dot]

Hi All,

Read this....read the whole thing.....There are some chemicals involved that can be toxic. There is much more than phosphorous.

http://www.enotes.com/how-products-encyclopedia/match

Let us know how things go. It should be OK but it's tough to be sure.

Bill

Thanks so much, Bill.

[birdscomefirst]

I hope it helps. I usually have a bookmark to these kinds of things.

[birdie]

I have no ideas about this, thankfully Bill and Larry are here! I wasn't sure what match heads were made out of. Please let us know what the vet says.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

And remember... don't give that bird scritches for a while --- it might go up in flames. :firemad:

I couldn't resist... Dot made me do it.

Anon.

[Chrissy and Flock]

Dot quit leading Larry astray.....:rofl::rofl::rofl:

[lcarle]

Just back from the vets. She also thought that Faile would be okay, but she called the animal poison control and did some research. It was better to be safe than sorry. She had me come in and we gave Faile Activated Charcoal (the poisons will bind to the charcoal). I was very calm and helped hold Faile straight up and down as the vet put the tub down her throat and administered it. The concern was the matches turning into Nitrate which turns into Methemoglobinemia (had the vet write it down) which means the red blood cells cannot hold onto the oxygen. So I am to watch her breathing tonight (guess who is sleeping in mommy's room tonight and who is not getting much sleep again - good cause tho). If she struggles to breath I am to contact the animal poison control and my vet. Oh she is to drink as much fluids tonight as possible. She was refusing to drink some water so the vet suggested fruit juice which she did enjoy.

Thank you all very much for your help. Thanks Bill for the article. I will have to read that next. It is all in the hands of the Lord now!!! Thanks agian.

[lcarle]

And remember... don't give that bird scritches for a while --- it might go up in flames. :firemad:

I couldn't resist... Dot made me do it.

Anon.

That was needed - a big smile at a time like this!!! :haha:

[birdie]

Laura, glad she will be ok, please let us know in the morning how the night went.

[Chrissy and Flock]

So glad the vet was able to see her at short notice... I will keep her in my prayers for now though.

[birdscomefirst]

I think that she will be fine:-) I'll check in first thing in the AM (Keep in mind that I am on the west coast)

Bill

[bonnie]

Looks like I got here a bit late! Glad she's doing good!

[lcarle]

Going to bed- 11:40 pm Pacific time. She has been talking, meowing, "burping," and acting totally normal all night. But Faile will still sleep in my room tonight. I also think she will be just fine. Thanks again. I will try to update you all tomorrow morning.

[too&me]

I wonder how they always find the most dangerous thing s they can to give us such a scare. Darn :alien:them, just hope you are recovering too Laura.

[Julie]

Oh Laura,

What a scare! So glad that you were able to get her into the vet and seen asap! Keep us posted we are all thinking about you and your sweetie!

[birdscomefirst]

I don't see an update....Are things OK?

[Julie]

She is Pacific time, so its only 2pm for us. I'm sure she is still at school, and in class. Hopefully soon she will get to go home and can check in with us!

[lcarle]

Faile is just fine today. Last night she was talking, meowing, "burping" up a storm. She did sleep in my room and I did check on her during the night. Thanks again for your concerns and prayers. Sorry I did not post this morning but a few kids and a parent showed up in my room by 7 am and it was such a busy day. Thanks again. Laura

[lcarle]

Just got home and Faile is still kicking!! :smiles: Thanks again.

[birdscomefirst]

Hi,

I am extremely happy to hear this! We are all happy to help!

It goes without saying that you did a tremendous job of getting her to a vet as quickly as you did!

But...I thought that I would mention it anyway:-)

Although scary, this all had a GREAT outcome:-)

Thanks for the update.

Bill

[wizard348]

Charcoal ??? That was brilliant. You have a very good vet. I would never have thought of that.

If I want Chloe to drink water, I give her a little peanut butter. About the size of my finger nail. Works every time.

I am sooooo glad your bird is ok. That is great.

[Uncle]

Hey Laura,

So glad Faile is okay. They can get into more trouble without even trying.

Good job momma.

[Dot]

Dot quit leading Larry astray.....:rofl::rofl::rofl:

I cannot believe you fell for the ol' "Dot made me do it" trick. He just wanted to play with the emoticons.

[lcarle]

Thanks for the pat on the back. I really do have a fabulous vet!!!!! She is usually around when I have an emergency. I have even e-mailed questions and she will e-mail me back. Of course they will only be pressing questions since I know she is always busy!!!!

Something to point out again. Follow your instincts, motherly worries. I saw that container with newspaper and thought, I really need to see what is in there. But I was too BUSY, I'll do it later!! Well, I really became busy last night and it could have ended tragically all because I was too busy to see what my husband left in the livingroom. My husband and I had the discussion again about not leaving anything dangerous in the livingroom or kitchen since we have 6 "toddlers."

Thanks again everyone.

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

I'm so glad everything turned out well, Laura. Scary stuff. I have a terrific vet also, whom I am in contact with frequently. It's a huge relief to have someone who cares that will make themselves available to you whenever. Naughty hubby!

[wizard348]

HA HA HA... Six "toddlers". That is good. That's about what they are too. That is funny.

[too&me]

So happy to hear she is none the worse for wear, they do age us rapidly don't they?