08/21/2026
Franny came to us because she had been struggling to balance on her perch. We discovered this was due to
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) toxicity. This is something that many new bird owners are unaware of. When PTFE coating (a non-stick coating for pans, AKA Teflon) is used for cooking and overheats, the PTFE is released as invisible fumes. Birds have incredibly delicate respiratory systems, and the PTFE can cause their lungs to begin to fail. Symptoms of PTFE toxicity include respiratory distress, weakness, lethargy, lack of coordination, and sudden death.
If your pet comes in and is struggling to breathe, they will likely go into our oxygen chamber! We are able to deliver 100% oxygen into the chamber to assist when animals are unable to oxygenate normally.
Franny stayed in this incubator for 48 hours. She had all the snacks, food, water, and a close eye on her all day. She would come out a few times a day to get vitals, medications to support respiratory recovery, and for the doctors to examine. Otherwise, we left her alone to try to reduce her stress to help with her breathing.
Over the 48 hours Franny was with us, we slowly decreased the amount of oxygen being delivered, making it more similar to room air, to see how she was breathing. At the end of those 48 hours, she was able to go home with some supportive care.
Our team features Board-certified specialists in exotic animal medicine who are dedicated to providing the best care to each and every patient. Give us a call at (720)637-1564 if your exotic pet needs some help.
