Brooklyn: tagged coop pigeon found

[ReluctantFlier]

Wow, okay, Phil, great info, thanks. Just what I was looking for. Especially the info about the bird's body temps. Thanks. I'll give some of the pigeoners a call and try and get info. They're weird here in Brooklyn, though, very closed groups ofttimes. Strange how New York brings that out in people .

m.

[pdpbison]

Hi m.,


Ahhhhhh...yes, the 'closedness' is something so disappointing, and exhasperating, especially if we are seeking help or wisdom or an experienced hand TO help a real time present Bird.

I have run into this myself with Licenced rehabbers and so called 'groups' that are supposed to be there for injured Wildlife and so on. Tight lipped, cold, taciturn, and could care less if the Bird and me drop dead.

So...with that in mind, I hope you find some good local contacts for recommending an Avian Vet that knows Pigeons. Some vets like this can be very kind to someone like you or me and charge little or nothing, knowing we will take care of the Bird and give it our best.

It is an adventure sometimes! For you, and for the Bird...!

Heck, if you need to, when talkking with fanciers or breeders or club menbers or something, say you are JUST getting 'into' Pigeons, and your first one, this lovely little (sorry, I forgot the breed! It was mentioned earlier on by someone, ) is your first Bird, and you are worried about their Health and need some advise for these symptoms and a reference for a Pigeon Vet...

Might get their attention better than if you say you 'found' the Bird...or, you could say that you were just about TO get into locating one of THIS breed, for your first Pigeon, when "Presto!" you found one in the street! But who IS ill and so on...I dunno, it is hard to say what WILL 'work' with some people to rally their interest to provide info or tips or leads...

The http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYCPRC/ might, if there is a way to e-mail them, have a list of Pigeon Friendly Vets of your broader area...

Good luck!

Such a pretty little Pigeon..!


Phil
Las Vegas

[ReluctantFlier]

Hello to everyone who helped me out on this board. On the advice of a rehabilitator friend here in the city and the NYCPRC board, I managed to find a vet. to help with my bird. I took the bird into the clinic yesterday, and the vet. took a stool smear, finding chostridia and one other c-lettered bacteria that I'm forgetting now. She was about to give me the bird in a better carrier with meds to take home when she noted that the bird wasn't eating properly (picking up pellets, but not getting the into his mouth.) So she told me to leave the bird at the clinic so that she could keep it under observation for a few days.

Somehow, I think the pigeon realized that it was going to be safer, because during the course of the examination, which ran quite a while, he actually let me scratch the back of his head, and for the first time, he didn't growl at me when I came near. Or maybe he had grown that weak .

Anyway, I'm now planning on taking this guy in and giving him a home; I think I actually have a line on a cage for not too much. I just wanted to let everyone know that I worked things out, and I really appreciate all of the input that I got from everyone.

I have some new questions, but they're general in nature, so I'll post a newer thread in another section.

Oh, BTW, the vet. told me that six years was actually fairly old for a racer pigeon, which differed from what someone had posted here. So I'm hoping that the person who posted here is more right,

m.

[TAWhatley]

Hi Max,

I'm glad you were able to get some veterinary assistance for your pigeon. Hopefully s/he will be well soon and able to come home and be your spoiled pet.

Six probably is fairly old for most pigeons, but many of us have very senior birds in the 8 years of age and up range. My oldest pigeon is Traveler, a rescued racing pigeon, who will shortly be 19 years of age. I have others that are 12 and 14 years old and several that are 5-10 years of age.

Terry

[phyll]

Max,
Thanks for the update, I was wondering how your pigeon was doing.
Thank you for looking after him & getting him to the vet. Is "coccidia" the word you are looking for?
It's a relief to know you've decided to provide a home for him.
Just wait until you see how funny pigeons are as pets.
We laugh every single day with this little one running around.
Max, I was quite surprised to hear that the vet classified him as a "Racer." Not that I have any knowledge about that, but I never thought of my pigeon as a racer.
The information I gave you concerning his age, was according to what I have learned on this site. As with Terry, other members have also mentioned pigeons living well past six years of age.

Max, would you please do me a favor?

When speaking to the vet, please ask if she meant that six was old in relation to racing, or in terms of their lifespan? I sure wish I knew others with this exact type of pigeon.

Hope he will be absolutely fine & that everything works out well for the two of you.

Phyll

[Birdmom4ever]

I'm so glad you found a vet for your little guy and that you have decided to keep him. The fact that the exam lasted a long time is good; sounds as though your vet is thorough.

[feralpigeon]

Hi Max,

Thanks for the update on your buddy. That is really good that you've found someone that you can work with and who also seems very attentive. Also great that you got in a "growl-less scratch" .

fp

[Trees Gray]

I'm so glad you will be providing a home for this pretty bird, and that you took the him to a vet and is being treated. I'm glad the mistery to why the bird wasn't flying will be resolved!....I don't even want to imagine what his life span would have been if you hadn't come along and helped him.

Thanks for helping this pigeon.

I love a happy ending .......

[TerriB]

Originally Posted by ReluctantFlier

...during the course of the examination, which ran quite a while, he actually let me scratch the back of his head, and for the first time, he didn't growl at me when I came near...m.

Could be he recognized you as someone familiar when he was in a strange environment. He knew you weren't a threat, so was comfortable with your touch. You're making progress, even though it may not seem like it. Well done!

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Max,

Great update! Please continue to keep us posted on this and if you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to inquire.

In regards to pigeons' lifespans, the "average" age they can attain is 12-15 years in captivity. This seems to be "normal" and certainly achievable when the birds are looked after properly and healthy. They can also live much longer as Terry and others here have testified.

Good luck with this pigeon, you really are going to gain a love this bird as time goes on. They are quite remarkable and endearing in their own ways. It's hard not to love a pigeon

[Lady Tarheel]

Max, I am so happy you got your beauty to the vet. I have never heard of chostridia but I imagine the other disease was coccidia because his symptoms seemed to indicate that. You're really lucky to have found a caring vet.

Maggie