11/9/21, 6:39 PM Airborne toxicity in Chickens

Veterinary advice should be sought from your local veterinarian before applying any ×
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Airborne Toxicity
Chickens are highly sensitive to exposure to airborne toxins. This is related to the uniqueness of
the avian respiratory system, which allows for birds to breath more effectively then mammals.

The cross-current airflow and blood allows for the chicken's blood oxygen levels to be higher
than their oxygen levels when they expire a breath. The negative consequence of this is it
increases their risk of absorbing higher amounts of toxins from the air, thus causing them to
reach toxic levels quicker than mammals.

Clinical signs of toxicity may be delayed several hours after the initial exposure.
Clinical Signs
Increased respiratory effort
Open-mouth breathing
Exercise intolerance
Cyanosis
Sneezing and/or coughing
Ataxia
Weakness
Tail bobbing
Depression
Lethargy
Nasal discharge
Sudden death
Diagnosis Reported Cases Treatment
Name Summary

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11/9/21, 6:39 PM Airborne toxicity in Chickens

Name Summary
Removal from the
source
Supportive care Isolate the bird from the flock and place in a safe, comfortable, warm
location (your own chicken "intensive care unit") with easy access to
water and food. Limit stress. Call your veterinarian.
Intensive care is
required. Oxygen
therapy and fluids.
Antianxiety Terbutaline (0.01 mg/kg IM q6-12h or 0.1 mg/kg PO q12-24h) or
analgesic butorphanol (0.5-2 mg/kg IM)
Nonsteroidal anti- Meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg PO q12-24h)
inflammatories
(NSAIDs)
Dexamethasone 0.2-1.0 mg/kg IM once or q12-24h
Dexamethasone 2 mg/kg once or q6-12h
sodium phosphate
Diuretics May be indicated if heart failure is present.
Antimicrobials For potential secondary infections.

Support

(https://amzn.to/2Jy
Prevention
 ()Do not expose birds to plug-in, wick, or spray air fresheners. This includes Fabreeze.
 ()Do not expose birds to scented candles
 ()Do not expose birds to candy cooking flavorings such as peppermint or spearmint.
 ()Do not expose birds to paint or gasoline fumes, methane, glues, solvents, bleach,
ammonia, propellants and grooming products (nail polish, hair spray, etc.), aerosols, or
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self-cleaning ovens.
Prognosis Scientific References
1Vetere, Alessandro, et al. Acute tea tree oil intoxication in a pet cockatiel (Nymphicus
hollandicus): a case report (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-020-2255-4) BMC Veterinary
Research 16.1 (2019)
2Guigueno, Mélanie F., and Kim J. Fernie. Birds and flame retardants: A review of the toxic
effects on birds of historical and novel flame retardants
(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2016.12.033) Environmental research 154 (2017)
3Graham, Jennifer E., ed Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Avian. John Wiley &
Sons (2016)
4Lightfoot, Teresa L., and Julie M. Yeager.. Pet bird toxicity and related environmental
concerns (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2008.01.006) Veterinary Clinics of North America:
Exotic Animal Practice 11.2 (2008)
5Fedde, M. R. Relationship of structure and function of the avian respiratory system to
disease susceptibility (https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/77.8.1130) Poultry Science 77.8 (1998)
6Brown, Richard E., Joseph D. Brain, and Ning Wang. The avian respiratory system: a
unique model for studies of respiratory toxicosis and for monitoring air quality
(https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.97105188) Environmental health perspectives 105.2 (1997)
7Fedde, M. R. Structure and gas-flow pattern in the avian respiratory system
(https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.0592642) Poultry Science 59.12 (1980)

Risk Factors

Secondary exposure to humans smoking regular or electronic cigarettes.

Exposure to high amounts of dander and dust
Exposure to burning fumes from a fire, whether intentional or accidental.
Exposure to scented commercial items such as air freshers, scented candles, aerosol
sprays, nail polish, hair grooming products, etc.
Exposure to gasoline fumes, glues, propellants, methane, paint fumes, etc.
Exposure to cleaning or disinfectant products such as bleach, self-cleaning ovens,
ammonia, and solvents.
Recent fire or burning of materials resulting in the release of smoke into the environment.

Also Consider

Air sac mites (/condition/airsac-mites)

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11/9/21, 6:39 PM Airborne toxicity in Chickens

Cyanide poisoning (/condition/cyanide-poisoning)

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