Poisoning by polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) in two albino cockatiels ( <i>Nymphicus hollandicus</i> )

Abstract Two 35‐day‐old, female albino cockatiels ( Nymphicus hollandicus ), were received for postmortem examination after an acute onset of changes in the vocalisation followed by sudden death. Behavioural changes and mortality were not observed in any of the contacting adult birds. The owner reported a domestic accident associated with the overheating of a non‐stick cookware and the consequent release and accumulation of smoke in the environment, which coincided with the sudden mortality of the young birds. The most consistent gross and histopathological findings were diffuse pulmonary congestion, oedema and haemorrhage. The association of the history with the anatomopathological findings allowed a presumptive diagnosis of acute respiratory failure associated with polytetrafluoroethylene poisoning in two housed birds. This case reinforces the need to take care of the environmental conditions in which these birds are exposed.