DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) is commonly used to treat inflammation and is applied topically. This can be especially helpful if you need to target a specific area of your starling bird (say, the leg). It is easily absorbed by the skin. DMSO is a by-product of paper making (wood). It’s used as an industrial solvent and as an anti-inflammatory since the mid-20th century.
You’ll want to make sure you get 99.9% pure DMSO. Mix 1 milliliter of DMSO with 9 milliliters water to prepare a 10 percent solution and apply topically. It creates an odd odor that permeates the skin, so be prepared for your starling bird to temporarily be a little stinky.
You can also use DMSO to apply antibiotics directly to a wound.
Some people advocate using DMSO orally, although we have little experience with this and little is known about the long-term oral side-effects. The common advice is to give 10 milliliters per kilogram by mouth twice daily for three days for inflammation. If in doubt, stick to topical use.