A pigeon without a leg and with an injured wing :(

[Cydonian]

thanks for the warning! for now, i've been wetting his beak with my finger (careful to avoid the nostrils), so I figure, if he's really thirsty, he'll drink. so it's ok not to push it?
I've noticed that he's a bit more alert now, he's moving his head around reacting to anyone approaching him which makes me very happy, but now I'm afraid - what if he starts feeling pain? since the moment I found him, he hasn't been showing any signs of pain which was probably due to shock (though it's still strange), but how will I know if he's hurting and how can I help him if that happens to be the case?

[Pidgey]

Well, it's better if you don't. Most pain medications don't work well for them and they're also prone to inflict more damage to the healing tissues if they don't feel pain anyhow. If what you say is true about the Carpometacarpus being the injured area, then it's highly likely that the bird stands a good chance of being able to fly later after some time to heal.

Pidgey

[Cydonian]

YAY! he stood up on his healthy leg (relying on the towel of corse) and I just heard movement from the box, he was drinking, and quite a lot it seems, and he already seems more lively

[Pidgey]

Injectable general anaesthetics are awful.

That's good news. However, now you might have to deal with some attitude from him--he might try to fly, run, jump... and hurt himself more. It's best to keep him in such a way that he doesn't have that possibility. Whether or not he accepts and befriends you may still be down the road. Often, the more they heal, the more attitude they get back.

Pidgey

[Cydonian]

yes, that's true. for now, he's still ok with me being around, but since I truly doubt that he's ever had close contact with humans I do believe he will shun me more and more. but I will try my best to get him to trust me ^_^

I'm going to bed now but before that I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart, you've helped me get through a very tough day and gave me the strength to think positively. I just wish there were more people like you in the world.
So, see you tomorrow, hopefully with some good news!

Jovana

[Pidgey]

Goodnight, Jovana, and sleep well! We're all with you here--"in for a penny, in for a pound!"

Pidgey

[TheSnipes]

Originally Posted by Cydonian

YAY! he stood up on his healthy leg (relying on the towel of corse) and I just heard movement from the box, he was drinking, and quite a lot it seems, and he already seems more lively

YAY!!

[Cydonian]

so, we woke up when I came to check on him, I was really scared because he was completely crammed in one corner of the box. but, he was ok and I saw that there was poo all over the box so I figured he tried to get away from it. when I changed the towels he started moving again, he had pooed again. It was just a bit watery, and it was dark green with a bit of white. does this tell you anything.
so i put him on the towel on the floor and I arranged it the same as the box and again he tried to jump out of the ring but he landed on his head

he is still ok with me, not showing any signs of resistance

[TheSnipes]

Maybe just let him have some crumpled towels and such too, and let him settle in wherever he's comfortable in his box, and just keep an eye on the eating and drinking. His poo is probably off bit due to his not eating for a day or so. He just needs to rest and start eating again. He's still in some discomfort and distress due to the injury/surgery/wing binding.

[Pidgey]

He understands that he's in pain, but he doesn't understand his new limitations. He also doesn't completely understand that you're a friend. It's going to take time.

Poops are going to off, given the recent trauma and surgery. It's going to take time for them to come back to normal. I can't remember, is he on an antibiotic?

Pidgey

[Cydonian]

A few hours ago we were at the vets for the change of bandages where he got a shot of antibiotics and an infusion coctail because he never once ate anything since I got him. But the minute he got home, he fell asleep for some 15 minutes and then woke up and started eating (seeds) like mad, he then drank He is quite lively, jumping around on his one leg, usually ending up on his head, but hey, he has to start somewhere.
So, things are looking good for now although he does require constant guidance which is really tiering, but I'm sure all of you know that much better ^_^

PS: he's still ok with people even though he reascts to general environment.

[Pidgey]

By "infusion coctail", do you mean that they tube-fed him? Do you happen to know what antibiotic(s) and what the dosage was?

Pidgey

[Cydonian]

He gave him a shot of some fluid, not sure what it was. I also don't know what antibiotic it was but he gave him a small shot of it.

But now I have a new problem. He's been eating and drinking the whole day. He's been quite active and interested so he really seemed fine, a bit too fine to be honest. but now, when I was changing his towels (which I keep doing quite often because all that food that comes in has to get out) and when I was about to clean him (because as he can't stand he keeps soiling himself) I saw that the stump of his amputated leg is quite swollen. I'm afraid, since it's not bandaged any more (which I think is a mistake) that it might have gotten infected or something.
Now, i don't feel like calling the vet because he's obviously doing this as a favour (he's not even taking money for it) and I've called him more that a fair share of times. So please tell me, should I try and clean up the stump (the wound itself seems fine) with water or hydrogen or something, and should I myself maybe try and put the bandages on? or at least something to protect the area.
If the swelling doesn't come down till tomorrow I'll certainly call the vet, but I would like to try and help him myself, I feel so useless

[Charis]

You need to call the vet asap.

[Pidgey]

Sure would be nice to know what antibiotics he's had and, if it should be necessary, to have and possibly administer some oral antibiotics on an ongoing basis until the wound heals. We can email you a *.pdf of a current avian formulary that your vet can use if you'll provide an email address (use a PM if you like).

Pidgey