Domestic pigeon/dove? ... also wounded

[Ratwings]

My sis found this gorgeous birdie this evening, and we're trying to figure out if it's someone's pet or not. The coloration certainly doesn't look like anything wild I've ever seen.

Also, it looks like it's been mauled by a cat, and not too recently, because it's not bleeding, but the two worst punctures, on the back, are a bit oozy and not looking too great. From some advice from a knowledgable Petsmart employee, I gently washed the wounds with warm water with a wee bit of vinegar mixed in--just barely enough to smell it. I also left it with a dish of water, dove seed mixed with finch seed, and a heating pad under a soft towel at one end of its box. I'm going to look for and call a bird vet tomorrow... I can't afford to treat and keep this bird as my own, but hopefully someone will be able to do something for it. Any advice on care and ID would be much appreciated!



Also I'm gonna post a pic of the wound.... kinda icky just to warn you to turn back if you don't want to see it!
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[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi There,

Thank you for rescuing this beautiful young pigeon. Do you have knowledge that it WAS mauled by a cat or did someone see this? If it was a cat attack and it very well could be, this bird is going to need medicine right away to prevent a bacterial overload that will likely kill it.

Can you tell us where you are located and perhaps we can find someone near to you or a rehabilitator to take the bird off your hands?

[Ratwings]

Thanks for the fast reply!

No, I don't know for sure what caused these injuries. That's the best conclusion I could come up with based on the placement and nature of the wounds. I've seen plenty of cat maulings before (i'm a vet tech student) but you never know. I live near Philly PA... our only local rehabber (Schuykill Wildlife Rehab Center) has been closed down because their rehabber risigned! I know bummer... I was just starting volunteering there too when it happened and I had been really looking forward learning more about birds. There is another one sort of in the area, the AARK, but it's too far away for me to get there...

I really want to help this bird... I figured it would need antibiotics ASAP which is why I'm trying to get it to a vet tomorrow. Heck, I might even be able to bring it to the vets at school (teachers). I don't know if any of them are very experienced with birds, but if someone could tell me what meds a pigeon needs, and dosages, they might have the right things on hand.

Also, from this pic is it possible to tell if it's a wild or deomestic pigeon? I just can't get over it's gorgeous markings! Also you can't tell from the pic but the eyes are a dark chocolatey-brown, if that helps.

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Again,


You're most welcome. Sounds like you are very aware of many things which is good. The medicine needed to treat a bird that has suffered a cat attack, it's called augmentin, an antibiotic.

It does look like a domesticated pigeon of some kind, although I'm not totally sure. Wild pigeons can also have rather unique patterns and markings at times due to many cross breedings with domestics over time.

I'm going to search for some other rehabbers in your area, please stand by.

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi again,

Here is a listing of various rehabbers in PA, have a look because I am not familiar with all the little towns and cities and perhaps something is close by to you.

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contactN.htm#pa

Let us know and good luck!

[TAWhatley]

Hi Ratwings,

Bird needs to be on Clavamox ASAP .. high dose. That's a nasty wound but not fatal. Pigeons are tough patients. Baytril may also work but Clavamox would be my choice. Since the bird has no bands, it's a feral .. doesn't mean it wasn't raised by someone as a pet, but most likely not. Thank you so much for helping this bird.

Terry

[Ratwings]

Thanks for that list! Unfortunately, those are too far away. I have no car and can't impose a long trip on anyone at the moment. I'll call around to some vets first thing tomorrow and see what I can do. I will definately remember that name, augmentin.

Oh one more thing... I might have to just get the meds from a vet I know who doesn't know birds but would probably sell me the augmentin if she had it. If so I will need dosages and how to administer the meds. Of course this is my last resort if I can't take it to a bird vet.

Thanks again! I'll update tomorrow.

Julie

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Julie,

I'm not completely sure about the augmentin, I'm sorry....this medication is mostly unfamiliar to me because I've never used it myself or needed to. Another member here has often mentioned this name to me (augmentin), but Terry is also a very experienced person and she recommends the clavamox so perhaps you should go with this instead. Sorry for any confusion here and sorry that none of the rehabbers in that list were of use to you.

Sounds like a good plan, calling around to various vets tomorrow for sure

Please keep us posted on what the outcome is,

[Ratwings]

Okay, I'm pretty sure I can get clavamox. I did my externship for school with this vet, and I got stuck in the pharmacy a lot, lol. I don't remember seeing augmentin, which doesn't mean anything of course since that was a few months ago and my main priority wasn't memorizing their inventory. Clavamox I know they definately have.

TAWhatley, do you know dosages/administration instructions for clavamox? I don't have a scale or anything, but it looks to me like your average sized pigeon, at least compared to the ones I see all over the place.

[feralpigeon]

Hi Brad & Terry,

I'm jumping in a bit late here, but according to searches I've done they are one in the same, the difference being that it is called Augmentin in the states. I had an infected cat scratch and was prescribed Augmentin, so this did ring true. I also invoked Nooti thru search engine here and found a thread where she translated for an emergency situation and said Clavamox in the states would be called Augmentin. Hope this helps.

Ratwings, the bird looks like a young bird, perhaps feral. I've seen many w/this coloration in feral flocks, the eyes and feet make me think it is a young one, and very handsome at that. Hope you are able to get the meds you need.

Best,

fp

[Ratwings]

Another question! As if I didn't have enough...

If this bird is feral or wild, what would be the kindest thing to do for it once it has healed completely (assuming it heals completely)? Would it be kinder to release it into the wild or keep it as a pet? My sister really likes it and would love to keep it. There is also a nature center I used to volunteer at that kept white doves... They might still and they might be willing to take this one. But if this is a wild bird that is meant to fly free, I do not want to imprison it. I guess I'm getting ahead of myself here, because I can't know enough to make that decision yet, but I just wanted to know all my options.

[Ratwings]

Thanks for that advice feralpigeon! That's funny, because i live in the states and clavamox is a very common antibiotic and i've never heard it called anything else. huh...

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Julie,


Yes, I think you're getting a bit ahead of yourself Understandable though for sure....when/if that time comes, perhaps you can just judge by the bird itself. Whether or not it tames down and seem to like human company. If the bird remains antsy or timid, then perhaps letting him/her have it's freedom back would be best. One bridge at a time though is in order here

[Kwikkordead]

The pigeon that I found never did tame down. So I let it go free, but it comes back every now and then to feed on the seeds that I left out for it.

[TAWhatley]

Here is a copy of the dosage and usage info originally posted by Helen (Nooti):

AMOXYCILLIN AND CLAVULANIC ACID (Synulox, Clavamox) Dose - up
to 50 mgs per kilo BID if injection or up to 125mgs per kilo TID
(three times daily) orally- up to 3 weeks. Dose and dosing interval
determined by infection site, severity and organism involved. Used
to treat severe or deep puncture wounds, and helps greatly in
preventing the spread of necrotic tissue. Is also effective against
gut E.coli.

It is not recommended that this drug be given orally in the case of
critically ill patients as absorption from the GI tract is
unreliable, however many people do not have access or knowledge to
give by injection so orally is the only option and better than
nothing.

This drug has a much broader spectrum than Baytril and therefore
will treat a much greater range of ailments. Can be used in
conjunction with Trim Sulphas. Refrigerate oral suspension and
discard after 10 days or if liquid becomes dark. Avoid concurrent
use with tetracycline, erythromycin and chloramphenicol.

Terry